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[Dr.Funk]

I have this reoccurring issue since updating to MC28.

The initial load page, when I open MC28, is replaced with 'the web browser engine is not working properly'. In the included screenshot I show the warning and the latest version 28.0.80(64-bit). If I go to  my audio  list and select any artist, album or files etc; everything works fine. Just keep getting this initial warning.
All Windows 10 updates are done, graphic card is up to date and all drivers are updated. I checked the Windows firewall and all MC28 attributes are enabled (both private and public).
I have made sure there is no remnants of MC27 remaining to interfere with the initial 'lookup'.
I know this is not affecting my use of MC, but does anyone know why this is happening?

Thanks

[JimH]

Antivirus?

[Dr.Funk]

It would seem that everything relating to MC28 is allowed within my antivirus, which is Avira (free version)

[Awesome Donkey]

Something's likely blocking the download of the WebView2 component Media Center needs to get the embedded Microsoft Edge browser to work. Check firewall(s) and even uninstall Avira if you have to, to see if it'll work then.

[Dr.Funk]

Exemption within the firewall is active as far as I can see.
Turned of antivirus as well, no difference.
Do I need web access if I only use MC as a streamer to my Cambridge Audio CXN v2.
Everything else is working including updates.
What benefit is there to MC by having browser access?
I don't use Microsoft Edge as a browser as I have Firefox.
Thanks

[JimH]

Uninstall Avira and reboot.  Just to test.

We use our own browser, not the one you have installed.  You can change it under Tools > Options > Tree and View.

On Windows 10, use only Windows Defender.

[Dr.Funk]

Hi JimH,
Uninstalled Avira, rebooted, still did not work.
In the Tree and View there are three options under Web Browser, none of which I want to use.
I will not use Windows Defender after having a serious virus attack whilst using it.

Can you tell me please, what is the web browser for, is it for collection of metadata for music/films etc?
I sort all my metadata before I bring it into Mc.
I don't think I need this option?
Thanks

[JimH]

Uninstalled Avira, rebooted, still did not work.
In the Tree and View there are three options under Web Browser, none of which I want to use.

You must choose one.

I will not use Windows Defender after having a serious virus attack whilst using it.

I've never heard of another such problem.

[Awesome Donkey]

I will not use Windows Defender after having a serious virus attack whilst using it.

Do know, no antivirus/antimalware app is infallible and at some point they will all fail. It happens multiple times with everything be it Avira, Kaspersky, ESET or Windows Defender. But if you haven't used Windows Defender in the last couple years it's worth noting that Microsoft has improved it considerably and is now ranked in third-party antivirus testing to be one of the best alongside other well known antivirus apps like Kaspersky, Bitdefender, ESET, etc.

Adding some common sense to your browsing habits is also key to prevent future infections regardless of antivirus app used. Like don't open emails from anyone you know, be aware of file extensions of files (as some pesky malicious users will try to add image, audio or video file extensions to executable files in an effort to trick potential victims, e.g. File.jpg.exe), upload .exe that you don't trust to VirusTotal, etc. One could even go the extra steps like creating a virtual machine and doing web browsing inside that or using apps like Sandboxie or anything else like that. Even Windows 10 and Windows 11 has sandboxing features in Windows Defender now AKA virtualization based security or VBS for short which is potentially useful against zero day vulnerabilities, for example. But like everything else mentioned, it's not infallible.

You can likely solve the web browser issue by manually installing the WebView2 runtime component that Media Center uses for the embedded web browser: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/webview2/

[Dr.Funk]

@JimH - Thanks for your response.

I had chosen one, because I didn't know it existed, it is set to the default of Microsoft Edge.
Edge is installed on my Windows 10 Pro 64-bit system, I choose not to use it.

Because you have never heard of a virus attack in Windows Defender, does not mean it did not or does not happen.
Admittedly, it was more than 2 years ago; Awesome Donkey says it has improved since then?
Why does no one want to tell me what the web browser engine is for?

@Awesome Donkey - Thanks for your response.

I do go the extra steps; I have a VPN subscription that I use for my general emails and  I have a virtual machine running Windows 7, behind a VPN, that I use for all random browsing and downloads' downloaded files go into a sandbox and I then virus check them again before running them in the virtual machine. I am by no means an expert, just an average guy that was almost financially crippled by a web based virus,my business has never recovered the lost clients.
This web browser engine issue happened when I upgraded from MC 27 to MC 28, I posted a request for help before, it appeared to go away. But it seems that each time I download an update it comes back again. I don't change any settings. Since owning MC 27, I have had the same system setup, same antivirus, same firewall etc and it worked fine.

[tij]

Why does no one want to tell me what the web browser engine is for?

I think web engine is used for user interface ... those tabs you use to view your movies, albums, etc ... are rendered by web engine (at least i think so)

It also allows those tabs to be used to browse internet.

And now that Edge engine can be used ... it allows access to Netflix.

My guess ... this is done for easier port to other platforms -  Linux, Mac, etc ... as all platform havd web engines.

[Dr.Funk]

@tij - Thanks for your reply

That helps me understand a bit more, each time I go through my tabs of Albums, Artists, Files, Genre or High and Low Res I get the same results I have always got.
But if I select the tabs under Service and Plug-ins; Amazon, Audible and HDTracks I get the Web Browser Engine is not working properly signage.
Thanks

[Dr.Funk]

Just as an update, today when I opened MC, it opened as normal again. No changing of browsers or antivirus etc, who knows?