Correct Generated JSON for UPlay Games Fixes #27

- Correctts the invalid comma in the generated JSON for games that utilize the UPlay unlocker.

.github/workflows/dev-ci-builds.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+name: Dev CI Builds
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - dev
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  build:
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Setup .NET
+        uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
+        with:
+          dotnet-version: '8.0.x'
+
+      - name: Restore dependencies
+        run: dotnet restore CreamInstaller.sln
+
+      - name: Build Release
+        run: dotnet build CreamInstaller.sln --configuration Release --no-restore
+
+      - name: Publish single-file
+        run: dotnet publish CreamInstaller.sln -c Release -r win-x64 -p:PublishSingleFile=true --self-contained true --output ./publish
+
+      - name: Set short commit SHA and branch name
+        id: vars
+        run: |
+          $shortSha = $env:GITHUB_SHA.Substring(0,7)
+          $branch = $env:GITHUB_REF_NAME
+          Write-Output "shortSha=$shortSha" >> $env:GITHUB_ENV
+          Write-Output "branch=$branch" >> $env:GITHUB_ENV
+        shell: pwsh
+
+      - name: Rename EXE with branch and short commit SHA
+        run: |
+          Rename-Item -Path ./publish/CreamInstaller.exe -NewName "CreamInstaller-CI-$env:branch-$env:shortSha.exe"
+        shell: pwsh
+
+      - name: Upload artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: CreamInstaller-CI-${{ env.branch }}-${{ env.shortSha }}
+          path: ./publish/CreamInstaller-CI-${{ env.branch }}-${{ env.shortSha }}.exe

CreamInstaller/Components/CustomTreeView.cs

@@ -14,8 +14,10 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Components;
 internal sealed class CustomTreeView : TreeView
 {
     private const string ProxyToggleString = "Proxy";
+    private const string ExtraProtectionToggleString = "Extra Protection";
 
     private readonly Dictionary<Selection, Rectangle> checkBoxBounds = [];
+    private readonly Dictionary<Selection, Rectangle> extraProtectionCheckBoxBounds = [];
     private readonly Dictionary<Selection, Rectangle> comboBoxBounds = [];
 
     private readonly Dictionary<TreeNode, Rectangle> selectionBounds = [];
@@ -62,6 +64,7 @@ internal sealed class CustomTreeView : TreeView
     private void OnInvalidated(object sender, EventArgs e)
     {
         checkBoxBounds.Clear();
+        extraProtectionCheckBoxBounds.Clear();
         comboBoxBounds.Clear();
         selectionBounds.Clear();
         backBrush?.Dispose();
@@ -75,11 +78,14 @@ internal sealed class CustomTreeView : TreeView
 
     private void DrawTreeNode(object sender, DrawTreeNodeEventArgs e)
     {
-        e.DrawDefault = true;
         TreeNode node = e.Node;
         if (node is not { IsVisible: true })
+        {
+            e.DrawDefault = true;
             return;
+        }
 
+        bool dark = Program.DarkModeEnabled;
         bool highlighted = (e.State & TreeNodeStates.Selected) == TreeNodeStates.Selected && Focused;
         Graphics graphics = e.Graphics;
 
@@ -103,12 +109,95 @@ internal sealed class CustomTreeView : TreeView
             }
         }
 
+        Form form = FindForm();
+
+        if (dark && CheckBoxes)
+        {
+            // In dark mode we take full ownership of the row so the system never
+            // gets a chance to paint a light-background checkbox.
+            e.DrawDefault = false;
+
+            // Row background
+            Rectangle rowRect = new(0, node.Bounds.Top, ClientSize.Width, node.Bounds.Height);
+            graphics.FillRectangle(highlighted ? selectionBrush : backBrush, rowRect);
+
+            // Node text
+            Font nodeFont = node.NodeFont ?? Font;
+            Color textColor = Enabled ? ForeColor : SystemColors.GrayText;
+            TextRenderer.DrawText(graphics, node.Text, nodeFont,
+                new Point(node.Bounds.Left, node.Bounds.Top + 1), textColor, TextFormatFlags.Default);
+
+            // Checkbox glyph – pure GDI so it matches the dark-themed CheckBox controls
+            CheckBoxState cbState = node.Checked
+                ? (Enabled ? CheckBoxState.CheckedNormal : CheckBoxState.CheckedDisabled)
+                : (Enabled ? CheckBoxState.UncheckedNormal : CheckBoxState.UncheckedDisabled);
+            Size cbSize = CheckBoxRenderer.GetGlyphSize(graphics, cbState);
+            int cbX = node.Bounds.Left - cbSize.Width - 2;
+            int cbY = node.Bounds.Top + node.Bounds.Height / 2 - cbSize.Height / 2;
+            ThemeManager.DrawDarkCheckBox(graphics, new Point(cbX, cbY), cbSize, node.Checked, Enabled);
+
+            // Expander glyph (expand/collapse) – the system skips this when DrawDefault=false
+            if (node.Nodes.Count > 0)
+            {
+                int indent = Indent;
+                int level = node.Level;
+                int glyphSize = 13;
+                int glyphX = level * indent + (indent - glyphSize) / 2 + (ShowRootLines ? 0 : -indent);
+                int glyphY = node.Bounds.Top + node.Bounds.Height / 2 - glyphSize / 2;
+                Rectangle glyphRect = new(glyphX, glyphY, glyphSize, glyphSize);
+                Color glyphBorder = Color.FromArgb(0x6B, 0x6B, 0x6B);
+                Color glyphBack = Color.FromArgb(0x2D, 0x2D, 0x2D);
+                Color glyphFore = Color.FromArgb(0xD4, 0xD4, 0xD4);
+                using (SolidBrush backFill = new(glyphBack))
+                    graphics.FillRectangle(backFill, glyphRect);
+                using (Pen borderPen = new(glyphBorder))
+                    graphics.DrawRectangle(borderPen, glyphRect);
+                int mid = glyphY + glyphSize / 2;
+                int left = glyphX + 3;
+                int right = glyphX + glyphSize - 3;
+                using (Pen linePen = new(glyphFore))
+                {
+                    graphics.DrawLine(linePen, left, mid, right, mid); // horizontal minus
+                    if (!node.IsExpanded)
+                        graphics.DrawLine(linePen, glyphX + glyphSize / 2, glyphY + 3, glyphX + glyphSize / 2, glyphY + glyphSize - 3); // vertical plus
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            if (highlighted && CheckBoxes)
+            {
+                // In light mode, take ownership of the row when selected so the
+                // highlight fills the full width (same approach as dark mode).
+                e.DrawDefault = false;
+
+                Rectangle rowRect = new(0, node.Bounds.Top, ClientSize.Width, node.Bounds.Height);
+                graphics.FillRectangle(selectionBrush, rowRect);
+
+                Font nodeFont = node.NodeFont ?? Font;
+                Color textColor = Enabled ? ForeColor : SystemColors.GrayText;
+                TextRenderer.DrawText(graphics, node.Text, nodeFont,
+                    new Point(node.Bounds.Left, node.Bounds.Top + 1), textColor, TextFormatFlags.Default);
+
+                CheckBoxState cbState = node.Checked
+                    ? (Enabled ? CheckBoxState.CheckedNormal : CheckBoxState.CheckedDisabled)
+                    : (Enabled ? CheckBoxState.UncheckedNormal : CheckBoxState.UncheckedDisabled);
+                Size cbSize = CheckBoxRenderer.GetGlyphSize(graphics, cbState);
+                Point cbPoint = new(node.Bounds.Left - cbSize.Width - 2,
+                    node.Bounds.Top + node.Bounds.Height / 2 - cbSize.Height / 2);
+                CheckBoxRenderer.DrawCheckBox(graphics, cbPoint, cbState);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                e.DrawDefault = true;
+            }
+        }
+
         Font font = node.NodeFont ?? Font;
         Brush brush = highlighted ? (Brush)selectionBrush : backBrush;
         Rectangle bounds = node.Bounds;
         Rectangle selectionBounds = bounds;
 
-        Form form = FindForm();
         if (form is not SelectForm and not SelectDialogForm)
             return;
 
@@ -168,18 +257,106 @@ internal sealed class CustomTreeView : TreeView
                     graphics.FillRectangle(brush, bounds);
                 }
 
-                CheckBoxState checkBoxState = selection.UseProxy
-                    ? Enabled ? CheckBoxState.CheckedPressed : CheckBoxState.CheckedDisabled
-                    : Enabled
-                        ? CheckBoxState.UncheckedPressed
-                        : CheckBoxState.UncheckedDisabled;
-                size = CheckBoxRenderer.GetGlyphSize(graphics, checkBoxState);
+                // Unlocker badge
+                if (selection.InstalledUnlocker != InstalledUnlocker.None)
+                {
+                    string badgeText = selection.InstalledUnlocker.ToString();
+                    size = TextRenderer.MeasureText(graphics, badgeText, font, Size.Empty, TextFormatFlags.NoPadding);
+                    const int badgePadding = 3;
+                    Rectangle badgeBounds = new(bounds.X + bounds.Width + 2, bounds.Y + 1, size.Width + badgePadding * 2, bounds.Height - 2);
+                    selectionBounds = new(selectionBounds.Location, selectionBounds.Size + new Size(badgeBounds.Width + 2, 0));
+
+                    // Get theme-appropriate colors for each unlocker from ThemeManager
+                    Color badgeBack, badgeBorder;
+                    switch (selection.InstalledUnlocker)
+                    {
+                        case InstalledUnlocker.SmokeAPI:
+                            badgeBack = highlighted 
+                                ? ThemeManager.SmokeAPIBadgeBackgroundHighlightColor 
+                                : ThemeManager.SmokeAPIBadgeBackgroundColor;
+                            badgeBorder = ThemeManager.SmokeAPIBadgeBorderColor;
+                            break;
+                        case InstalledUnlocker.CreamAPI:
+                            badgeBack = highlighted 
+                                ? ThemeManager.CreamAPIBadgeBackgroundHighlightColor 
+                                : ThemeManager.CreamAPIBadgeBackgroundColor;
+                            badgeBorder = ThemeManager.CreamAPIBadgeBorderColor;
+                            break;
+                        default:
+                            badgeBack = highlighted 
+                                ? ThemeManager.DefaultBadgeBackgroundHighlightColor 
+                                : ThemeManager.DefaultBadgeBackgroundColor;
+                            badgeBorder = ThemeManager.DefaultBadgeBorderColor;
+                            break;
+                    }
+
+                    using (SolidBrush badgeBrush = new(badgeBack))
+                        graphics.FillRectangle(badgeBrush, badgeBounds);
+                    using (Pen badgePen = new(badgeBorder))
+                        graphics.DrawRectangle(badgePen, badgeBounds);
+                    TextRenderer.DrawText(graphics, badgeText, font,
+                        new Point(badgeBounds.X + badgePadding, badgeBounds.Y + 1),
+                        Color.White, TextFormatFlags.NoPadding);
+                    bounds = bounds with { X = badgeBounds.X, Width = badgeBounds.Width + 2 };
+                }
+
+                // Show Extra Protection checkbox for CreamAPI:
+                // - When CreamAPI is installed, OR
+                // - When no unlocker is installed yet AND user hasn't enabled SmokeAPI mode, OR
+                // - When SmokeAPI is installed BUT user has disabled SmokeAPI mode (about to replace with CreamAPI)
+                bool showExtraProtection = selection.InstalledUnlocker == InstalledUnlocker.CreamAPI ||
+                    (selection.InstalledUnlocker == InstalledUnlocker.None && !Program.UseSmokeAPI) ||
+                    (selection.InstalledUnlocker == InstalledUnlocker.SmokeAPI && !Program.UseSmokeAPI);
+
+                if (showExtraProtection)
+                {
+                    CheckBoxState extraProtState = selection.UseExtraProtection
+                        ? (Enabled ? CheckBoxState.CheckedNormal : CheckBoxState.CheckedDisabled)
+                        : (Enabled ? CheckBoxState.UncheckedNormal : CheckBoxState.UncheckedDisabled);
+                    size = CheckBoxRenderer.GetGlyphSize(graphics, extraProtState);
+                    bounds = bounds with { X = bounds.X + bounds.Width, Width = size.Width };
+                    selectionBounds = new(selectionBounds.Location, selectionBounds.Size + bounds.Size with { Height = 0 });
+                    Rectangle extraProtCheckBoxBounds = bounds;
+                    graphics.FillRectangle(brush, bounds);
+                    point = new(bounds.Left, bounds.Top + bounds.Height / 2 - size.Height / 2 - 1);
+                    if (dark)
+                        ThemeManager.DrawDarkCheckBox(graphics, point, size, selection.UseExtraProtection, Enabled);
+                    else
+                        CheckBoxRenderer.DrawCheckBox(graphics, point, extraProtState);
+
+                    text = ExtraProtectionToggleString;
+                    size = TextRenderer.MeasureText(graphics, text, font);
+                    int leftEP = 1;
+                    bounds = bounds with { X = bounds.X + bounds.Width, Width = size.Width + leftEP };
+                    selectionBounds = new(selectionBounds.Location, selectionBounds.Size + bounds.Size with { Height = 0 });
+                    extraProtCheckBoxBounds = new(extraProtCheckBoxBounds.Location, extraProtCheckBoxBounds.Size + bounds.Size with { Height = 0 });
+                    graphics.FillRectangle(brush, bounds);
+                    point = new(bounds.Location.X - 1 + leftEP, bounds.Location.Y + 1);
+                    TextRenderer.DrawText(graphics, text, font, point,
+                        Enabled ? ThemeManager.CustomTreeViewProxyColor : ThemeManager.CustomTreeViewDisabledProxyColor,
+                        TextFormatFlags.Default);
+
+                    extraProtectionCheckBoxBounds[selection] = RectangleToClient(extraProtCheckBoxBounds);
+
+                    // Add spacing before proxy checkbox
+                    size = new(4, 0);
+                    bounds = bounds with { X = bounds.X + bounds.Width, Width = size.Width };
+                    graphics.FillRectangle(brush, bounds);
+                }
+
+                CheckBoxState proxyState = selection.UseProxy
+                    ? (Enabled ? CheckBoxState.CheckedNormal : CheckBoxState.CheckedDisabled)
+                    : (Enabled ? CheckBoxState.UncheckedNormal : CheckBoxState.UncheckedDisabled);
+                size = CheckBoxRenderer.GetGlyphSize(graphics, proxyState);
                 bounds = bounds with { X = bounds.X + bounds.Width, Width = size.Width };
                 selectionBounds = new(selectionBounds.Location, selectionBounds.Size + bounds.Size with { Height = 0 });
                 Rectangle checkBoxBounds = bounds;
-                graphics.FillRectangle(backBrush, bounds);
+                graphics.FillRectangle(brush, bounds);
                 point = new(bounds.Left, bounds.Top + bounds.Height / 2 - size.Height / 2 - 1);
-                CheckBoxRenderer.DrawCheckBox(graphics, point, checkBoxState);
+                if (dark)
+                    ThemeManager.DrawDarkCheckBox(graphics, point, size, selection.UseProxy, Enabled);
+                else
+                    CheckBoxRenderer.DrawCheckBox(graphics, point, proxyState);
 
                 text = ProxyToggleString;
                 size = TextRenderer.MeasureText(graphics, text, font);
@@ -187,7 +364,7 @@ internal sealed class CustomTreeView : TreeView
                 bounds = bounds with { X = bounds.X + bounds.Width, Width = size.Width + left };
                 selectionBounds = new(selectionBounds.Location, selectionBounds.Size + bounds.Size with { Height = 0 });
                 checkBoxBounds = new(checkBoxBounds.Location, checkBoxBounds.Size + bounds.Size with { Height = 0 });
-                graphics.FillRectangle(backBrush, bounds);
+                graphics.FillRectangle(brush, bounds);
                 point = new(bounds.Location.X - 1 + left, bounds.Location.Y + 1);
                 TextRenderer.DrawText(graphics, text, font, point,
                     Enabled ? ThemeManager.CustomTreeViewProxyColor : ThemeManager.CustomTreeViewDisabledProxyColor,
@@ -312,5 +489,15 @@ internal sealed class CustomTreeView : TreeView
                 selectForm?.OnProxyChanged();
                 break;
             }
+
+        foreach (KeyValuePair<Selection, Rectangle> pair in extraProtectionCheckBoxBounds)
+            if (!Selection.All.ContainsKey(pair.Key))
+                _ = extraProtectionCheckBoxBounds.Remove(pair.Key);
+            else if (pair.Value.Contains(clickPoint))
+            {
+                pair.Key.UseExtraProtection = !pair.Key.UseExtraProtection;
+                selectForm?.OnExtraProtectionChanged();
+                break;
+            }
     }
 }

CreamInstaller/CreamInstaller.csproj

@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
         <TargetFramework>net8.0-windows10.0.22621.0</TargetFramework>
         <UseWindowsForms>True</UseWindowsForms>
         <ApplicationIcon>Resources\program.ico</ApplicationIcon>
-        <Version>5.0.2.0</Version>
-        <Copyright>2025, FroggMaster (https://github.com/FroggMaster)</Copyright>
+        <Version>5.0.2.3</Version>
+        <Copyright>2026, FroggMaster (https://github.com/FroggMaster)</Copyright>
         <Company>CreamInstaller</Company>
         <Product>Automatic DLC Unlocker Installer &amp; Configuration Generator</Product>
         <StartupObject>CreamInstaller.Program</StartupObject>

CreamInstaller/Forms/DebugForm.Designer.cs

@@ -32,16 +32,31 @@ partial class DebugForm
     private void InitializeComponent()
     {
         debugTextBox = new RichTextBox();
+        testGameButton = new Button();
         SuspendLayout();
         // 
+        // testGameButton
+        // 
+        testGameButton.Anchor = AnchorStyles.Top | AnchorStyles.Left | AnchorStyles.Right;
+        testGameButton.AutoSize = true;
+        testGameButton.AutoSizeMode = AutoSizeMode.GrowAndShrink;
+        testGameButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(10, 10);
+        testGameButton.Name = "testGameButton";
+        testGameButton.Padding = new Padding(3, 0, 3, 0);
+        testGameButton.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(540, 25);
+        testGameButton.TabIndex = 1;
+        testGameButton.Text = "Test Game";
+        testGameButton.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+        testGameButton.Click += OnTestGame;
+        // 
         // debugTextBox
         // 
-        debugTextBox.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
-        debugTextBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(10, 10);
+        debugTextBox.Anchor = AnchorStyles.Top | AnchorStyles.Bottom | AnchorStyles.Left | AnchorStyles.Right;
+        debugTextBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(10, 41);
         debugTextBox.Name = "debugTextBox";
         debugTextBox.ReadOnly = true;
         debugTextBox.ScrollBars = RichTextBoxScrollBars.ForcedBoth;
-        debugTextBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(540, 317);
+        debugTextBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(540, 286);
         debugTextBox.TabIndex = 0;
         debugTextBox.TabStop = false;
         debugTextBox.Text = "";
@@ -52,6 +67,7 @@ partial class DebugForm
         AutoScaleMode = AutoScaleMode.Font;
         ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(560, 337);
         ControlBox = false;
+        Controls.Add(testGameButton);
         Controls.Add(debugTextBox);
         FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.FixedSingle;
         MaximizeBox = false;
@@ -68,4 +84,5 @@ partial class DebugForm
     #endregion
 
     private RichTextBox debugTextBox;
+    private Button testGameButton;
 }

CreamInstaller/Forms/DebugForm.cs

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Forms;
 internal sealed partial class DebugForm : CustomForm
 {
     private static DebugForm current;
+    private static readonly object currentLock = new();
 
     private Form attachedForm;
 
@@ -22,9 +23,14 @@ internal sealed partial class DebugForm : CustomForm
     {
         get
         {
-            if (current is not null && (current.Disposing || current.IsDisposed))
-                current = null;
-            return current ??= new();
+            lock (currentLock)
+            {
+                if (current is null || current.Disposing || current.IsDisposed)
+                {
+                    current = new DebugForm();
+                }
+                return current;
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -81,4 +87,10 @@ internal sealed partial class DebugForm : CustomForm
                 debugTextBox.AppendText(text, color, true);
             });
     }
+
+    private void OnTestGame(object sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        using TestGameForm form = new(this);
+        _ = form.ShowDialog(this);
+    }
 }

CreamInstaller/Forms/InstallForm.cs

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ using CreamInstaller.Resources;
 using CreamInstaller.Utility;
 using static CreamInstaller.Platforms.Paradox.ParadoxLauncher;
 using static CreamInstaller.Resources.Resources;
-
 namespace CreamInstaller.Forms;
 
 internal sealed partial class InstallForm : CustomForm
@@ -351,6 +350,41 @@ internal sealed partial class InstallForm : CustomForm
             ++completeOperationsCount;
         }
 
+        // Persist install/uninstall results
+        foreach (Selection selection in Selection.AllEnabled)
+        {
+            if (uninstalling)
+            {
+                selection.InstalledUnlocker = InstalledUnlocker.None;
+                ProgramData.RemoveInstalledGame(selection.Platform, selection.Id);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                InstalledUnlocker unlocker = selection.DetectInstalledUnlocker();
+                selection.InstalledUnlocker = unlocker;
+                if (unlocker != InstalledUnlocker.None)
+                    ProgramData.UpsertInstalledGame(new InstalledGameRecord
+                    {
+                        Platform = selection.Platform,
+                        Id = selection.Id,
+                        Name = selection.Name,
+                        RootDirectory = selection.RootDirectory,
+                        Unlocker = unlocker,
+                        UseProxy = selection.UseProxy,
+                        Proxy = selection.Proxy,
+                        UseExtraProtection = selection.UseExtraProtection,
+                        Dlc = selection.DLC.Select(dlc => new InstalledDlcRecord
+                        {
+                            DlcType = dlc.Type.ToString(),
+                            Id = dlc.Id,
+                            Name = dlc.Name
+                        }).ToList()
+                    });
+            }
+        }
+
+        SelectForm.Current?.Invoke(() => SelectForm.Current?.InvalidateGameList());
+
         Program.Cleanup();
         int activeCount = activeSelections.Count;
         if (activeCount > 0)
@@ -392,25 +426,29 @@ internal sealed partial class InstallForm : CustomForm
 
     private void OnLoad(object sender, EventArgs a)
     {
-        retry:
-        try
+        bool retry = true;
+        while (retry)
         {
-            userInfoLabel.Text = "Loading . . . ";
-            logTextBox.Text = string.Empty;
-            selectionCount = 0;
-            foreach (Selection selection in Selection.AllEnabled)
+            try
             {
-                selectionCount++;
-                _ = activeSelections.Add(selection);
-            }
+                userInfoLabel.Text = "Loading . . . ";
+                logTextBox.Text = string.Empty;
+                selectionCount = 0;
+                foreach (Selection selection in Selection.AllEnabled)
+                {
+                    selectionCount++;
+                    _ = activeSelections.Add(selection);
+                }
 
-            Start();
-        }
-        catch (Exception e)
-        {
-            if (e.HandleException(this))
-                goto retry;
-            Close();
+                Start();
+                retry = false;
+            }
+            catch (Exception e)
+            {
+                retry = e.HandleException(this);
+                if (!retry)
+                    Close();
+            }
         }
     }
 

CreamInstaller/Forms/SelectDialogForm.Designer.cs

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Forms
             saveButton = new Button();
             uninstallAllButton = new Button();
             selectionTreeView = new CustomTreeView();
+            filterTextBox = new System.Windows.Forms.TextBox();
             groupBox.SuspendLayout();
             allCheckBoxFlowPanel.SuspendLayout();
             SuspendLayout();
@@ -51,15 +52,25 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Forms
             acceptButton.Text = "OK";
             acceptButton.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
             // 
+            // filterTextBox
+            // 
+            filterTextBox.Anchor = AnchorStyles.Top | AnchorStyles.Left | AnchorStyles.Right;
+            filterTextBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 14);
+            filterTextBox.Name = "filterTextBox";
+            filterTextBox.PlaceholderText = "Enter the name of a game to search";
+            filterTextBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(524, 23);
+            filterTextBox.TabIndex = 0;
+            filterTextBox.TextChanged += OnFilterTextChanged;
+            // 
             // groupBox
             // 
             groupBox.Anchor = AnchorStyles.Top | AnchorStyles.Bottom | AnchorStyles.Left | AnchorStyles.Right;
             groupBox.Controls.Add(selectionTreeView);
             groupBox.Controls.Add(allCheckBoxFlowPanel);
-            groupBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 12);
+            groupBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 43);
             groupBox.MinimumSize = new System.Drawing.Size(240, 40);
             groupBox.Name = "groupBox";
-            groupBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(524, 225);
+            groupBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(524, 194);
             groupBox.TabIndex = 3;
             groupBox.TabStop = false;
             groupBox.Text = "Choices";
@@ -188,6 +199,7 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Forms
             Controls.Add(cancelButton);
             Controls.Add(acceptButton);
             Controls.Add(groupBox);
+            Controls.Add(filterTextBox);
             FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.FixedSingle;
             MaximizeBox = false;
             MinimizeBox = false;
@@ -215,5 +227,6 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Forms
         private Button saveButton;
         private CheckBox sortCheckBox;
         private Button uninstallAllButton;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.TextBox filterTextBox;
     }
 }

CreamInstaller/Forms/SelectDialogForm.cs

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Forms;
 internal sealed partial class SelectDialogForm : CustomForm
 {
     private readonly List<(Platform platform, string id, string name)> selected = new();
+    private readonly List<(Platform platform, string id, string name, bool alreadySelected)> allChoices = new();
 
     internal SelectDialogForm(IWin32Window owner) : base(owner)
     {
@@ -28,12 +29,12 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectDialogForm : CustomForm
         allCheckBox.Enabled = false;
         acceptButton.Enabled = false;
         selectionTreeView.AfterCheck += OnTreeNodeChecked;
-        foreach ((Platform platform, string id, string name, bool alreadySelected) in potentialChoices)
-        {
-            TreeNode node = new() { Tag = platform, Name = id, Text = name, Checked = alreadySelected };
-            OnTreeNodeChecked(node);
-            _ = selectionTreeView.Nodes.Add(node);
-        }
+        allChoices.Clear();
+        allChoices.AddRange(potentialChoices);
+        foreach ((Platform platform, string id, string name, bool alreadySelected) in allChoices)
+            if (alreadySelected)
+                selected.Add((platform, id, name));
+        ApplyFilter();
 
         if (selected.Count < 1)
             OnLoad(null, null);
@@ -70,6 +71,32 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectDialogForm : CustomForm
         allCheckBox.CheckedChanged += OnAllCheckBoxChanged;
     }
 
+    private void OnFilterTextChanged(object sender, EventArgs e) => ApplyFilter();
+
+    private void ApplyFilter()
+    {
+        string filter = filterTextBox.Text.Trim();
+        selectionTreeView.AfterCheck -= OnTreeNodeChecked;
+        selectionTreeView.BeginUpdate();
+        selectionTreeView.Nodes.Clear();
+        bool hasSelections = selected.Count > 0;
+        foreach ((Platform platform, string id, string name, bool alreadySelected) in allChoices)
+        {
+            if (filter.Length > 0 && name.IndexOf(filter, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) < 0)
+                continue;
+            bool checkedState = hasSelections
+                ? selected.Any(s => s.platform == platform && s.id == id)
+                : alreadySelected;
+            TreeNode node = new() { Tag = platform, Name = id, Text = name, Checked = checkedState };
+            _ = selectionTreeView.Nodes.Add(node);
+        }
+        selectionTreeView.EndUpdate();
+        selectionTreeView.AfterCheck += OnTreeNodeChecked;
+        allCheckBox.CheckedChanged -= OnAllCheckBoxChanged;
+        allCheckBox.Checked = selectionTreeView.Nodes.Count > 0 && selectionTreeView.Nodes.Cast<TreeNode>().All(n => n.Checked);
+        allCheckBox.CheckedChanged += OnAllCheckBoxChanged;
+    }
+
     private void OnResize(object s, EventArgs e)
         => Text = TextRenderer.MeasureText(Program.ApplicationName, Font).Width > Size.Width - 100
             ? Program.ApplicationNameShort

CreamInstaller/Forms/SelectForm.cs

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
     private const string HelpButtonListPrefix = "\n    •  ";
 
     private static SelectForm current;
+    private static readonly object currentLock = new();
 
     private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, string> remainingDLCs = new();
 
@@ -43,9 +44,14 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
     {
         get
         {
-            if (current is not null && (current.Disposing || current.IsDisposed))
-                current = null;
-            return current ??= new();
+            lock (currentLock)
+            {
+                if (current is null || current.Disposing || current.IsDisposed)
+                {
+                    current = new SelectForm();
+                }
+                return current;
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -241,7 +247,7 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
                                 string dlcName = null;
                                 string dlcIcon = null;
                                 bool onSteamStore = false;
-                                StoreAppData dlcStoreAppData = await SteamStore.QueryStoreAPI(dlcAppId, true);
+                                StoreAppData dlcStoreAppData = await SteamStore.QueryStoreAPI(dlcAppId, true, 0, name, appId);
                                 if (dlcStoreAppData is not null)
                                 {
                                     dlcName = dlcStoreAppData.Name;
@@ -271,7 +277,7 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
                                     string fullGameIcon = null;
                                     bool fullGameOnSteamStore = false;
                                     StoreAppData fullGameStoreAppData =
-                                        await SteamStore.QueryStoreAPI(fullGameAppId, true);
+                                        await SteamStore.QueryStoreAPI(fullGameAppId, true, 0, null, null);
                                     if (fullGameStoreAppData is not null)
                                     {
                                         fullGameName = fullGameStoreAppData.Name;
@@ -550,25 +556,29 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
 
     private async void OnLoad(bool forceScan = false, bool forceProvideChoices = false)
     {
-        Program.Canceled = false;
-        blockedGamesCheckBox.Enabled = false;
-        blockProtectedHelpButton.Enabled = false;
-        useSmokeAPICheckBox.Enabled = false;
-        useSmokeAPIHelpButton.Enabled = false;
-        cancelButton.Enabled = true;
-        scanButton.Enabled = false;
-        noneFoundLabel.Visible = false;
-        allCheckBox.Enabled = false;
-        proxyAllCheckBox.Enabled = false;
-        installButton.Enabled = false;
-        uninstallButton.Enabled = installButton.Enabled;
-        selectionTreeView.Enabled = false;
-        saveButton.Enabled = false;
-        loadButton.Enabled = false;
-        resetButton.Enabled = false;
-        progressLabel.Text = "Waiting for user to select which programs/games to scan . . .";
-        ShowProgressBar();
-        await ProgramData.Setup(this);
+        try
+        {
+            Program.Canceled = false;
+            blockedGamesCheckBox.Enabled = false;
+            blockProtectedHelpButton.Enabled = false;
+            useSmokeAPICheckBox.Enabled = false;
+            useSmokeAPIHelpButton.Enabled = false;
+            cancelButton.Enabled = true;
+            scanButton.Enabled = false;
+            noneFoundLabel.Visible = false;
+            allCheckBox.Enabled = false;
+            proxyAllCheckBox.Enabled = false;
+            installButton.Enabled = false;
+            uninstallButton.Enabled = installButton.Enabled;
+            selectionTreeView.Enabled = false;
+            saveButton.Enabled = false;
+            loadButton.Enabled = false;
+            resetButton.Enabled = false;
+            progressLabel.Text = "Waiting for user to select which programs/games to scan . . .";
+            ShowProgressBar();
+            await ProgramData.Setup(this);
+            ProgramData.ClearLog();
+            ProgramData.Log($"[Scan] CreamInstaller {Program.Version} — scan started at {DateTime.UtcNow:yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss} UTC");
         bool scan = forceScan;
         if (!scan && (programsToScan is null || programsToScan.Count < 1 || forceProvideChoices))
         {
@@ -687,6 +697,7 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
         }
 
         OnLoadSelections(null, null);
+        await LoadSavedInstalledGames();
         HideProgressBar();
         selectionTreeView.Enabled = !Selection.All.IsEmpty;
         allCheckBox.Enabled = selectionTreeView.Enabled;
@@ -703,6 +714,23 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
         blockProtectedHelpButton.Enabled = true;
         useSmokeAPICheckBox.Enabled = true;
         useSmokeAPIHelpButton.Enabled = true;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            // Handle exceptions in async void to prevent unobserved exceptions
+#if DEBUG
+            System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine($"OnLoad exception: {ex.Message}");
+#endif
+            // Show error and clean up
+            ex.HandleException(this);
+            HideProgressBar();
+            cancelButton.Enabled = false;
+            scanButton.Enabled = true;
+            blockedGamesCheckBox.Enabled = true;
+            blockProtectedHelpButton.Enabled = true;
+            useSmokeAPICheckBox.Enabled = true;
+            useSmokeAPIHelpButton.Enabled = true;
+        }
     }
 
     private void OnTreeViewNodeCheckedChanged(object sender, TreeViewEventArgs e)
@@ -972,20 +1000,97 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
             contextMenuStrip.Refresh();
         });
 
+    private async Task LoadSavedInstalledGames()
+    {
+        List<InstalledGameRecord> saved = ProgramData.ReadInstalledGames();
+        if (saved.Count == 0)
+            return;
+
+        List<InstalledGameRecord> toRemove = [];
+        foreach (InstalledGameRecord record in saved)
+        {
+            // Already in the list from this scan — just ensure unlocker is set
+            Selection existing = Selection.FromId(record.Platform, record.Id);
+            if (existing is not null)
+            {
+                if (existing.InstalledUnlocker == InstalledUnlocker.None)
+                    existing.InstalledUnlocker = record.Unlocker;
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            // Root directory no longer exists — mark for removal
+            if (!record.RootDirectory.DirectoryExists())
+            {
+                toRemove.Add(record);
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            // Reconstruct a minimal Selection from the saved record
+            HashSet<string> dllDirectories =
+                await record.RootDirectory.GetDllDirectoriesFromGameDirectory(record.Platform);
+            if (dllDirectories is null || dllDirectories.Count == 0)
+            {
+                toRemove.Add(record);
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            List<(string directory, BinaryType binaryType)> executableDirectories =
+                await record.RootDirectory.GetExecutableDirectories(true);
+
+            Selection selection = Selection.FromId(record.Platform, record.Id) ?? Selection.GetOrCreate(record.Platform, record.Id, record.Name,
+                record.RootDirectory, dllDirectories, executableDirectories);
+            selection.InstalledUnlocker = selection.DetectInstalledUnlocker();
+            if (selection.InstalledUnlocker == InstalledUnlocker.None)
+                selection.InstalledUnlocker = record.Unlocker;
+            selection.UseProxy = record.UseProxy;
+            selection.Proxy = record.Proxy;
+            selection.UseExtraProtection = record.UseExtraProtection;
+
+            Invoke(delegate
+            {
+                if (selection.TreeNode.TreeView is null)
+                    _ = selectionTreeView.Nodes.Add(selection.TreeNode);
+
+                // Restore DLC children from saved record
+                if (record.Dlc != null && record.Dlc.Count > 0)
+                {
+                    foreach (InstalledDlcRecord dlcRecord in record.Dlc)
+                    {
+                        if (!Enum.TryParse(dlcRecord.DlcType, out DLCType dlcType))
+                            continue;
+                        SelectionDLC dlc = SelectionDLC.GetOrCreate(dlcType, record.Id, dlcRecord.Id, dlcRecord.Name);
+                        dlc.Selection = selection;
+                    }
+                }
+            });
+        }
+
+        // Clean up records for games that are gone
+        if (toRemove.Count > 0)
+        {
+            List<InstalledGameRecord> updated = saved.Except(toRemove).ToList();
+            ProgramData.WriteInstalledGames(updated);
+        }
+    }
+
     private void OnLoad(object sender, EventArgs _)
     {
-    retry:
-        try
+        bool retry = true;
+        while (retry)
         {
-            HideProgressBar();
-            selectionTreeView.AfterCheck += OnTreeViewNodeCheckedChanged;
-            OnLoad(forceProvideChoices: true);
-        }
-        catch (Exception e)
-        {
-            if (e.HandleException(this))
-                goto retry;
-            Close();
+            try
+            {
+                HideProgressBar();
+                selectionTreeView.AfterCheck += OnTreeViewNodeCheckedChanged;
+                OnLoad(forceProvideChoices: true);
+                retry = false;
+            }
+            catch (Exception e)
+            {
+                retry = e.HandleException(this);
+                if (!retry)
+                    Close();
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -1063,13 +1168,18 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
 
     private static bool AreProxySelectionsDefault() => Selection.All.Keys.All(selection => !selection.UseProxy);
 
+    private static bool AreExtraProtectionSelectionsDefault() => Selection.All.Keys.All(selection => !selection.UseExtraProtection);
+
     private bool CanSaveDlc() =>
         installButton.Enabled && (ProgramData.ReadDlcChoices().Any() || !AreSelectionsDefault());
 
     private static bool CanSaveProxy() =>
         ProgramData.ReadProxyChoices().Any() || !AreProxySelectionsDefault();
 
-    private bool CanSaveSelections() => CanSaveDlc() || CanSaveProxy();
+    private static bool CanSaveExtraProtection() =>
+        ProgramData.ReadExtraProtectionChoices().Any() || !AreExtraProtectionSelectionsDefault();
+
+    private bool CanSaveSelections() => CanSaveDlc() || CanSaveProxy() || CanSaveExtraProtection();
 
     private void OnSaveSelections(object sender, EventArgs e)
     {
@@ -1097,6 +1207,17 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
 
         ProgramData.WriteProxyChoices(proxyChoices);
 
+        List<(Platform platform, string id)> extraProtectionChoices =
+            ProgramData.ReadExtraProtectionChoices().ToList();
+        foreach (Selection selection in Selection.All.Keys)
+        {
+            _ = extraProtectionChoices.RemoveAll(c => c.platform == selection.Platform && c.id == selection.Id);
+            if (selection.UseExtraProtection)
+                extraProtectionChoices.Add((selection.Platform, selection.Id));
+        }
+
+        ProgramData.WriteExtraProtectionChoices(extraProtectionChoices);
+
         loadButton.Enabled = CanLoadSelections();
         saveButton.Enabled = CanSaveSelections();
     }
@@ -1105,7 +1226,9 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
 
     private static bool CanLoadProxy() => ProgramData.ReadProxyChoices().Any();
 
-    private static bool CanLoadSelections() => CanLoadDlc() || CanLoadProxy();
+    private static bool CanLoadExtraProtection() => ProgramData.ReadExtraProtectionChoices().Any();
+
+    private static bool CanLoadSelections() => CanLoadDlc() || CanLoadProxy() || CanLoadExtraProtection();
 
     private void OnLoadSelections(object sender, EventArgs e)
     {
@@ -1147,8 +1270,31 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
             }
 
         ProgramData.WriteProxyChoices(proxyChoices);
+
+        List<(Platform platform, string id)> extraProtectionChoices =
+            ProgramData.ReadExtraProtectionChoices().ToList();
+        foreach (Selection selection in Selection.All.Keys)
+            selection.UseExtraProtection = extraProtectionChoices.Any(c =>
+                c.platform == selection.Platform && c.id == selection.Id);
+
+        ProgramData.WriteExtraProtectionChoices(extraProtectionChoices);
         loadButton.Enabled = CanLoadSelections();
 
+        // Detect installed unlockers from disk for all selections
+        foreach (Selection selection in Selection.All.Keys)
+            selection.InstalledUnlocker = selection.DetectInstalledUnlocker();
+
+        // Merge with persisted installed game records for any saved games not yet having a detected unlocker
+        List<InstalledGameRecord> installedRecords = ProgramData.ReadInstalledGames();
+        foreach (InstalledGameRecord record in installedRecords)
+        {
+            Selection selection = Selection.FromId(record.Platform, record.Id);
+            if (selection is null)
+                continue;
+            if (selection.InstalledUnlocker == InstalledUnlocker.None && record.Unlocker != InstalledUnlocker.None)
+                selection.InstalledUnlocker = record.Unlocker;
+        }
+
         OnProxyChanged();
     }
 
@@ -1156,7 +1302,9 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
 
     private static bool CanResetProxy() => !AreProxySelectionsDefault();
 
-    private bool CanResetSelections() => CanResetDlc() || CanResetProxy();
+    private static bool CanResetExtraProtection() => !AreExtraProtectionSelectionsDefault();
+
+    private bool CanResetSelections() => CanResetDlc() || CanResetProxy() || CanResetExtraProtection();
 
     private void OnResetSelections(object sender, EventArgs e)
     {
@@ -1170,11 +1318,14 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
         {
             selection.UseProxy = false;
             selection.Proxy = null;
+            selection.UseExtraProtection = false;
         }
 
         OnProxyChanged();
     }
 
+    internal void InvalidateGameList() => selectionTreeView.Invalidate();
+
     internal void OnProxyChanged()
     {
         selectionTreeView.Invalidate();
@@ -1185,6 +1336,13 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
         proxyAllCheckBox.CheckedChanged += OnProxyAllCheckBoxChanged;
     }
 
+    internal void OnExtraProtectionChanged()
+    {
+        selectionTreeView.Invalidate();
+        saveButton.Enabled = CanSaveSelections();
+        resetButton.Enabled = CanResetSelections();
+    }
+
     private void OnBlockProtectedGamesCheckBoxChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
     {
         Program.BlockProtectedGames = blockedGamesCheckBox.Checked;
@@ -1219,7 +1377,9 @@ internal sealed partial class SelectForm : CustomForm
     private void OnUseSmokeAPICheckBoxChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
     {
         Program.UseSmokeAPI = useSmokeAPICheckBox.Checked;
-        OnLoad(forceProvideChoices: false);
+        selectionTreeView.Invalidate();
+        saveButton.Enabled = CanSaveSelections();
+        resetButton.Enabled = CanResetSelections();
     }
 
     private void OnUseSmokeAPIHelpButtonClicked(object sender, EventArgs e)

CreamInstaller/Forms/TestGameForm.Designer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+using System.ComponentModel;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+
+namespace CreamInstaller.Forms;
+
+partial class TestGameForm
+{
+    private IContainer components = null;
+
+    protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
+    {
+        if (disposing && components is not null)
+            components.Dispose();
+        base.Dispose(disposing);
+    }
+
+    // All coordinates are based on ClientSize = 560 x 330
+    // Left margin = 12, right edge of usable area = 548 (560 - 12)
+    // Usable width = 536
+
+    private void InitializeComponent()
+    {
+        platformGroupBox = new GroupBox();
+        steamRadioButton = new RadioButton();
+        epicRadioButton = new RadioButton();
+        appIdLabel = new Label();
+        appIdTextBox = new TextBox();
+        gameNameLabel = new Label();
+        gameNameTextBox = new TextBox();
+        epicSearchButton = new Button();
+        epicResultsListBox = new ListBox();
+        dlcGroupBox = new GroupBox();
+        dlcListBox = new ListBox();
+        dlcIdLabel = new Label();
+        dlcIdTextBox = new TextBox();
+        dlcNameLabel = new Label();
+        dlcNameTextBox = new TextBox();
+        addDlcButton = new Button();
+        removeDlcButton = new Button();
+        generateButton = new Button();
+        clearButton = new Button();
+        closeButton = new Button();
+        statusLabel = new Label();
+        platformGroupBox.SuspendLayout();
+        dlcGroupBox.SuspendLayout();
+        SuspendLayout();
+
+        // ── Platform group box ── y=8, h=44
+        platformGroupBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 8);
+        platformGroupBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(536, 44);
+        platformGroupBox.TabStop = false;
+        platformGroupBox.Text = "Platform";
+        platformGroupBox.Controls.Add(steamRadioButton);
+        platformGroupBox.Controls.Add(epicRadioButton);
+
+        steamRadioButton.AutoSize = true;
+        steamRadioButton.Checked = true;
+        steamRadioButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(10, 17);
+        steamRadioButton.TabStop = true;
+        steamRadioButton.Text = "Steam";
+        steamRadioButton.CheckedChanged += OnPlatformChanged;
+
+        epicRadioButton.AutoSize = true;
+        epicRadioButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(80, 17);
+        epicRadioButton.Text = "Epic";
+        epicRadioButton.CheckedChanged += OnPlatformChanged;
+
+        // ── App ID row ── y=62
+        appIdLabel.AutoSize = true;
+        appIdLabel.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 66);
+        appIdLabel.Text = "App ID:";
+
+        appIdTextBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(105, 63);
+        appIdTextBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(443, 23);
+        appIdTextBox.PlaceholderText = "e.g. 480";
+
+        // ── Game Name row ── y=96
+        gameNameLabel.AutoSize = true;
+        gameNameLabel.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 100);
+        gameNameLabel.Text = "Game Name:";
+
+        // Steam: full width; Epic: leaves room for Search button (75px + 4px gap)
+        gameNameTextBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(105, 97);
+        gameNameTextBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(443, 23);
+
+        epicSearchButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(468, 97);
+        epicSearchButton.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(80, 23);
+        epicSearchButton.Text = "Search";
+        epicSearchButton.Visible = false;
+        epicSearchButton.Click += OnEpicSearch;
+
+        // ── Epic results list ── y=130, same slot as DLC group
+        epicResultsListBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 130);
+        epicResultsListBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(536, 80);
+        epicResultsListBox.Visible = false;
+        epicResultsListBox.SelectedIndexChanged += OnEpicResultSelected;
+
+        // ── DLC group box ── y=130, h=130
+        dlcGroupBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 130);
+        dlcGroupBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(536, 130);
+        dlcGroupBox.TabStop = false;
+        dlcGroupBox.Text = "DLC Entries (Steam only)";
+        dlcGroupBox.Controls.Add(dlcListBox);
+        dlcGroupBox.Controls.Add(dlcIdLabel);
+        dlcGroupBox.Controls.Add(dlcIdTextBox);
+        dlcGroupBox.Controls.Add(dlcNameLabel);
+        dlcGroupBox.Controls.Add(dlcNameTextBox);
+        dlcGroupBox.Controls.Add(addDlcButton);
+        dlcGroupBox.Controls.Add(removeDlcButton);
+
+        dlcListBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(6, 20);
+        dlcListBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(524, 60);
+
+        // DLC row inside group box — left-to-right:
+        // "DLC ID:" label + 70px box + "DLC Name:" label + 160px box + "Add"(60) + "Remove"(70)
+        // Total: ~48 + 70 + ~72 + 160 + 60 + 70 = 480  (fits in 524)
+        dlcIdLabel.AutoSize = true;
+        dlcIdLabel.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(6, 92);
+        dlcIdLabel.Text = "DLC ID:";
+
+        dlcIdTextBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(62, 89);
+        dlcIdTextBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(70, 23);
+        dlcIdTextBox.PlaceholderText = "e.g. 12345";
+
+        dlcNameLabel.AutoSize = true;
+        dlcNameLabel.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(140, 92);
+        dlcNameLabel.Text = "DLC Name:";
+
+        dlcNameTextBox.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(216, 89);
+        dlcNameTextBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(184, 23);
+        dlcNameTextBox.PlaceholderText = "e.g. Test DLC";
+
+        addDlcButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(406, 89);
+        addDlcButton.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(52, 23);
+        addDlcButton.Text = "Add";
+        addDlcButton.Click += OnAddDlc;
+
+        removeDlcButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(462, 89);
+        removeDlcButton.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(62, 23);
+        removeDlcButton.Text = "Remove";
+        removeDlcButton.Click += OnRemoveDlc;
+
+        // ── Action buttons ── y=270
+        generateButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 270);
+        generateButton.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(150, 26);
+        generateButton.Text = "Generate Test Game";
+        generateButton.Click += OnGenerate;
+
+        clearButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(168, 270);
+        clearButton.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(110, 26);
+        clearButton.Text = "Clear All Tests";
+        clearButton.Click += OnClearAll;
+
+        closeButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(284, 270);
+        closeButton.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(70, 26);
+        closeButton.Text = "Close";
+        closeButton.Click += OnClose;
+
+        // ── Status label ── y=302
+        statusLabel.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 302);
+        statusLabel.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(536, 20);
+        statusLabel.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Segoe UI", 8.25F);
+
+        // ── Form ──
+        AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(7F, 15F);
+        AutoScaleMode = AutoScaleMode.Font;
+        ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(560, 328);
+        FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.FixedDialog;
+        MaximizeBox = false;
+        MinimizeBox = false;
+        StartPosition = FormStartPosition.CenterParent;
+        Text = "Test Game Generator";
+        Controls.Add(platformGroupBox);
+        Controls.Add(appIdLabel);
+        Controls.Add(appIdTextBox);
+        Controls.Add(gameNameLabel);
+        Controls.Add(gameNameTextBox);
+        Controls.Add(epicSearchButton);
+        Controls.Add(epicResultsListBox);
+        Controls.Add(dlcGroupBox);
+        Controls.Add(generateButton);
+        Controls.Add(clearButton);
+        Controls.Add(closeButton);
+        Controls.Add(statusLabel);
+
+        platformGroupBox.ResumeLayout(false);
+        platformGroupBox.PerformLayout();
+        dlcGroupBox.ResumeLayout(false);
+        dlcGroupBox.PerformLayout();
+        ResumeLayout(false);
+        PerformLayout();
+    }
+
+    private GroupBox platformGroupBox;
+    private RadioButton steamRadioButton;
+    private RadioButton epicRadioButton;
+    private Label appIdLabel;
+    private TextBox appIdTextBox;
+    private Label gameNameLabel;
+    private TextBox gameNameTextBox;
+    private Button epicSearchButton;
+    private ListBox epicResultsListBox;
+    private GroupBox dlcGroupBox;
+    private ListBox dlcListBox;
+    private Label dlcIdLabel;
+    private TextBox dlcIdTextBox;
+    private Label dlcNameLabel;
+    private TextBox dlcNameTextBox;
+    private Button addDlcButton;
+    private Button removeDlcButton;
+    private Button generateButton;
+    private Button clearButton;
+    private Button closeButton;
+    private Label statusLabel;
+}

CreamInstaller/Forms/TestGameForm.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,361 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.IO;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using System.Windows.Forms;
+using CreamInstaller.Components;
+using CreamInstaller.Platforms.Epic;
+using CreamInstaller.Platforms.Steam;
+using CreamInstaller.Utility;
+
+namespace CreamInstaller.Forms;
+
+internal sealed partial class TestGameForm : CustomForm
+{
+    private static readonly string TestGamesRoot =
+        Path.Combine(ProgramData.DirectoryPath, "TestGames");
+
+    private static readonly List<string> CreatedDirectories = [];
+
+    // Steam DLC entries per-form: (dlcId, dlcName)
+    private readonly List<(string id, string name)> dlcEntries = [];
+
+    // Cached Epic search results from the last search: (namespace, name)
+    private readonly List<(string ns, string name)> epicSearchResults = [];
+
+    private bool IsEpicMode => epicRadioButton.Checked;
+
+    internal TestGameForm(IWin32Window owner) : base(owner)
+    {
+        InitializeComponent();
+        appIdTextBox.Leave += OnAppIdLeave;
+        RefreshDlcList();
+        UpdatePlatformMode();
+    }
+
+    private void UpdatePlatformMode()
+    {
+        bool epic = IsEpicMode;
+
+        // App ID row: Steam only
+        appIdLabel.Visible = !epic;
+        appIdTextBox.Visible = !epic;
+
+        // Search button: Epic only — shrink the game name box to make room
+        epicSearchButton.Visible = epic;
+        gameNameTextBox.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(epic ? 354 : 443, 23);
+
+        // Placeholder text — call RefreshCueBanner to flush the Win32 cue so only one text shows
+        gameNameTextBox.PlaceholderText = epic ? "Enter game name and click Search" : "e.g. Spacewar";
+        NativeMethods.RefreshCueBanner(gameNameTextBox);
+
+        // DLC group and Epic results share the same vertical slot
+        dlcGroupBox.Visible = !epic;
+        epicResultsListBox.Visible = false; // hidden until search runs
+
+        if (!epic)
+            epicSearchResults.Clear();
+
+        SetStatus(epic
+            ? "Enter a game name and click Search to find it on the Epic store."
+            : "Enter the App ID, then tab out to auto-detect the game name.");
+    }
+
+    private void OnPlatformChanged(object sender, EventArgs e) => UpdatePlatformMode();
+
+    // ── Steam: auto-detect name from AppID ──────────────────────────────────
+
+    private async void OnAppIdLeave(object sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        if (IsEpicMode)
+            return;
+        string appId = appIdTextBox.Text.Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(appId) || !int.TryParse(appId, out _))
+            return;
+        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(gameNameTextBox.Text))
+            return;
+
+        SetStatus("Looking up game name . . .");
+        generateButton.Enabled = false;
+
+        string name = await Task.Run(async () =>
+        {
+            // Use an isolated client with neutral UA so Steam's store API doesn't reject the request.
+            using System.Net.Http.HttpClient client = HttpClientManager.CreateIsolatedClient();
+            string url = $"https://store.steampowered.com/api/appdetails?appids={appId}&filters=basic";
+            try
+            {
+                string json = await client.GetStringAsync(url);
+                Newtonsoft.Json.Linq.JObject root = Newtonsoft.Json.Linq.JObject.Parse(json);
+                string title = root[appId]?["data"]?["name"]?.ToString();
+                if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(title))
+                    return title;
+            }
+            catch { /* fall through to SteamCMD */ }
+
+            CmdAppData cmdData = await SteamCMD.GetAppInfo(appId);
+            return cmdData?.Common?.Name;
+        });
+
+        generateButton.Enabled = true;
+
+        if (name is not null)
+        {
+            gameNameTextBox.Text = name;
+            SetStatus($"✓ Game name detected: {name}");
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            SetStatus("Could not auto-detect name — enter it manually.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    // ── Epic: search by name ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    private async void OnEpicSearch(object sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        string keyword = gameNameTextBox.Text.Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(keyword))
+        {
+            SetStatus("Enter a game name to search.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        SetStatus("Searching Epic store . . .");
+        epicSearchButton.Enabled = false;
+        generateButton.Enabled = false;
+        epicResultsListBox.Items.Clear();
+        epicResultsListBox.Visible = false;
+        epicSearchResults.Clear();
+
+        List<(string ns, string name)> results = await EpicStore.QuerySearch(keyword);
+
+        epicSearchButton.Enabled = true;
+        generateButton.Enabled = true;
+
+        if (results.Count == 0)
+        {
+            SetStatus("No results found. Try a different name.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        epicSearchResults.AddRange(results);
+        foreach ((string _, string name) in results)
+            epicResultsListBox.Items.Add(name);
+
+        epicResultsListBox.Visible = true;
+        SetStatus($"Found {results.Count} result(s). Select one to use it.");
+    }
+
+    private void OnEpicResultSelected(object sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        int idx = epicResultsListBox.SelectedIndex;
+        if (idx < 0 || idx >= epicSearchResults.Count)
+            return;
+        gameNameTextBox.Text = epicSearchResults[idx].name;
+        SetStatus($"✓ Selected: {epicSearchResults[idx].name}");
+    }
+
+    // ── DLC (Steam) ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    private void OnAddDlc(object sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        string dlcId = dlcIdTextBox.Text.Trim();
+        string dlcName = dlcNameTextBox.Text.Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(dlcId) || !int.TryParse(dlcId, out _))
+        {
+            SetStatus("DLC ID must be a valid integer.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(dlcName))
+        {
+            SetStatus("DLC Name cannot be empty.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (dlcEntries.Any(d => d.id == dlcId))
+        {
+            SetStatus($"DLC ID {dlcId} is already in the list.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        dlcEntries.Add((dlcId, dlcName));
+        RefreshDlcList();
+        dlcIdTextBox.Clear();
+        dlcNameTextBox.Clear();
+        SetStatus($"Added DLC: {dlcId} = {dlcName}");
+    }
+
+    private void OnRemoveDlc(object sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        if (dlcListBox.SelectedIndex < 0)
+            return;
+        dlcEntries.RemoveAt(dlcListBox.SelectedIndex);
+        RefreshDlcList();
+        SetStatus("Removed selected DLC entry.");
+    }
+
+    private void OnDlcListBoxSelectionChanged(object sender, EventArgs e) { }
+
+    private void RefreshDlcList()
+    {
+        dlcListBox.Items.Clear();
+        foreach ((string id, string name) in dlcEntries)
+            dlcListBox.Items.Add($"{id} = {name}");
+    }
+
+    // ── Generate ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    private void OnGenerate(object sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        if (IsEpicMode)
+            GenerateEpic();
+        else
+            GenerateSteam();
+    }
+
+    private void GenerateSteam()
+    {
+        string appId = appIdTextBox.Text.Trim();
+        string gameName = gameNameTextBox.Text.Trim();
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(appId) || !int.TryParse(appId, out _))
+        {
+            SetStatus("App ID must be a valid integer.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(gameName))
+        {
+            SetStatus("Game Name cannot be empty.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (SteamLibrary.TestGames.Any(g => g.appId == appId))
+        {
+            SetStatus($"A test game with App ID {appId} already exists.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            string gameDir = Path.Combine(TestGamesRoot, $"steam_{appId}_{SanitizeName(gameName)}");
+            Directory.CreateDirectory(gameDir);
+
+            string dllPath = Path.Combine(gameDir, "steam_api64.dll");
+            WriteSteamApiStub(dllPath);
+
+            CreatedDirectories.Add(gameDir);
+            SteamLibrary.TestGames.Add((appId, gameName, "public", 1, gameDir));
+            ProgramData.Log($"[TestGame] Steam: {gameName} ({appId}) at {gameDir}");
+            SetStatus($"✓ Steam test game '{gameName}' ({appId}) generated. Press Rescan.");
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            SetStatus($"Error: {ex.Message}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void GenerateEpic()
+    {
+        string gameName = gameNameTextBox.Text.Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(gameName))
+        {
+            SetStatus("Game Name cannot be empty. Search for a game first.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Use the selected search result namespace if available, otherwise derive a stub
+        string catalogNamespace;
+        int idx = epicResultsListBox.SelectedIndex;
+        if (idx >= 0 && idx < epicSearchResults.Count)
+        {
+            catalogNamespace = epicSearchResults[idx].ns;
+            gameName = epicSearchResults[idx].name;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            catalogNamespace = $"test_{SanitizeName(gameName).ToLowerInvariant()}";
+        }
+
+        if (EpicLibrary.TestManifests.Any(m => m.CatalogNamespace == catalogNamespace))
+        {
+            SetStatus("An Epic test game with that namespace already exists.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            string gameDir = Path.Combine(TestGamesRoot, $"epic_{SanitizeName(gameName)}");
+            Directory.CreateDirectory(gameDir);
+
+            // Stub DLL so Epic DLL-directory scanning finds the game
+            string dllPath = Path.Combine(gameDir, "EOSSDK-Win64-Shipping.dll");
+            WriteSteamApiStub(dllPath);
+
+            CreatedDirectories.Add(gameDir);
+
+            EpicLibrary.TestManifests.Add(new Manifest
+            {
+                DisplayName = gameName,
+                CatalogNamespace = catalogNamespace,
+                InstallLocation = gameDir
+            });
+
+            ProgramData.Log($"[TestGame] Epic: {gameName} ({catalogNamespace}) at {gameDir}");
+            SetStatus($"✓ Epic test game '{gameName}' generated. Press Rescan.");
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            SetStatus($"Error: {ex.Message}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    // ── Clear / Close ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    private void OnClearAll(object sender, EventArgs e)
+    {
+        SteamLibrary.TestGames.Clear();
+        EpicLibrary.TestManifests.Clear();
+        foreach (string dir in CreatedDirectories)
+            try { Directory.Delete(dir, true); } catch { /* best-effort */ }
+        CreatedDirectories.Clear();
+        dlcEntries.Clear();
+        RefreshDlcList();
+        epicSearchResults.Clear();
+        epicResultsListBox.Items.Clear();
+        epicResultsListBox.Visible = false;
+        SetStatus("All test games cleared. Press Rescan in the main window.");
+    }
+
+    private void OnClose(object sender, EventArgs e) => Close();
+
+    // ── Helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    private void SetStatus(string message)
+    {
+        statusLabel.Text = message;
+        statusLabel.ForeColor = message.StartsWith("✓", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            ? System.Drawing.Color.Green
+            : System.Drawing.Color.FromArgb(212, 212, 212);
+    }
+
+    private static string SanitizeName(string name)
+    {
+        char[] invalid = Path.GetInvalidFileNameChars();
+        return new string(name.Select(c => invalid.Contains(c) ? '_' : c).ToArray());
+    }
+
+    private static void WriteSteamApiStub(string path)
+    {
+        byte[] mzStub =
+        [
+            0x4D, 0x5A,
+            0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+            0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00
+        ];
+        File.WriteAllBytes(path, mzStub);
+    }
+}

CreamInstaller/Forms/TestGameForm.resx

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<root>
+  <!--
+    Microsoft ResX Schema
+
+    Version 2.0
+
+    The primary goals of this format is to allow a simple XML format
+    that is mostly human readable. The generation and parsing of the
+    various data types are done through the TypeConverter classes
+    associated with the data types.
+
+    Example:
+
+    ... ado.net/XML headers & schema ...
+    <resheader name="resmimetype">text/microsoft-resx</resheader>
+    <resheader name="version">2.0</resheader>
+    <resheader name="reader">System.Resources.ResXResourceReader, System.Windows.Forms, ...</resheader>
+    <resheader name="writer">System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, ...</resheader>
+    <data name="Name1"><value>this is my long string</value><comment>this is a comment</comment></data>
+    <data name="Color1" type="System.Drawing.Color, System.Drawing">Blue</data>
+    <data name="Bitmap1" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64">
+        <value>[base64 mime encoded serialized .NET Framework object]</value>
+    </data>
+    <data name="Icon1" type="System.Drawing.Icon, System.Drawing" mimetype="application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64">
+        <value>[base64 mime encoded string representing a byte array form of the .NET Framework object]</value>
+        <comment>This is a comment</comment>
+    </data>
+
+    There are any number of "resheader" rows that contain simple
+    name/value pairs.
+
+    Each data row contains a name, and value. The row also contains a
+    type or mimetype. Type corresponds to a .NET class that support
+    text/value conversion through the TypeConverter architecture.
+    Classes that don't support this are serialized and stored with the
+    mimetype set.
+
+    The mimetype is used for serialized objects, and tells the
+    ResXResourceReader how to depersist the object. This is currently not
+    extensible. For a given mimetype the value must be set accordingly:
+
+    Note - application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64 is the format
+    that the ResXResourceWriter will generate, however the reader can
+    read any of the formats listed below.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.binary.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized with
+            : System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.BinaryFormatter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.soap.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized with
+            : System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Soap.SoapFormatter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+
+    mimetype: application/x-microsoft.net.object.bytearray.base64
+    value   : The object must be serialized into a byte array
+            : using a System.ComponentModel.TypeConverter
+            : and then encoded with base64 encoding.
+    -->
+  <xsd:schema id="root" xmlns="" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:msdata="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xml-msdata">
+    <xsd:import namespace="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" />
+    <xsd:element name="root" msdata:IsDataSet="true">
+      <xsd:complexType>
+        <xsd:choice maxOccurs="unbounded">
+          <xsd:element name="metadata">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" use="required" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="type" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="mimetype" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute ref="xml:space" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="assembly">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:attribute name="alias" type="xsd:string" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="data">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+                <xsd:element name="comment" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="2" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" use="required" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="type" type="xsd:string" msdata:Ordinal="3" />
+              <xsd:attribute name="mimetype" type="xsd:string" msdata:Ordinal="4" />
+              <xsd:attribute ref="xml:space" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+          <xsd:element name="resheader">
+            <xsd:complexType>
+              <xsd:sequence>
+                <xsd:element name="value" type="xsd:string" minOccurs="0" msdata:Ordinal="1" />
+              </xsd:sequence>
+              <xsd:attribute name="name" type="xsd:string" use="required" />
+            </xsd:complexType>
+          </xsd:element>
+        </xsd:choice>
+      </xsd:complexType>
+    </xsd:element>
+  </xsd:schema>
+  <resheader name="resmimetype">
+    <value>text/microsoft-resx</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="version">
+    <value>2.0</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="reader">
+    <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceReader, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </resheader>
+  <resheader name="writer">
+    <value>System.Resources.ResXResourceWriter, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </resheader>
+</root>

CreamInstaller/Forms/UpdateForm.cs

@@ -45,77 +45,95 @@ internal sealed partial class UpdateForm : CustomForm
 
     private async void OnLoad()
     {
-        progressBar.Visible = false;
-        ignoreButton.Visible = true;
-        updateButton.Text = "Update";
-        updateButton.Click -= OnUpdateCancel;
-        progressLabel.Text = "Checking for updates . . .";
-        changelogTreeView.Visible = false;
-        changelogTreeView.Location = progressLabel.Location with
+        try
         {
-            Y = progressLabel.Location.Y + progressLabel.Size.Height + 13
-        };
-        Refresh();
-#if !DEBUG
-        Version currentVersion = new(Program.Version);
-#endif
-        List<ProgramRelease> releases = null;
-        string response =
-            await HttpClientManager.EnsureGet(
-                $"https://api.github.com/repos/{Program.RepositoryOwner}/{Program.RepositoryName}/releases");
-        if (response is not null)
-            releases = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<List<ProgramRelease>>(response)
-                ?.Where(release => !release.Draft && !release.Prerelease && release.Asset is not null).ToList();
-        latestRelease = releases?.FirstOrDefault();
-#if DEBUG
-        if (latestRelease?.Version is not { } latestVersion)
-#else
-        if (latestRelease?.Version is not { } latestVersion || latestVersion <= currentVersion)
-#endif
-            StartProgram();
-        else
-        {
-            progressLabel.Text = $"An update is available: v{latestVersion}";
-            ignoreButton.Enabled = true;
-            updateButton.Enabled = true;
-            updateButton.Click += OnUpdate;
-            changelogTreeView.Visible = true;
-            foreach (ProgramRelease release in releases)
+            progressBar.Visible = false;
+            ignoreButton.Visible = true;
+            updateButton.Text = "Update";
+            updateButton.Click -= OnUpdateCancel;
+            progressLabel.Text = "Checking for updates . . .";
+            changelogTreeView.Visible = false;
+            changelogTreeView.Location = progressLabel.Location with
             {
+                Y = progressLabel.Location.Y + progressLabel.Size.Height + 13
+            };
+            Refresh();
 #if !DEBUG
-                if (release.Version <= currentVersion)
-                    continue;
+            Version currentVersion = new(Program.Version);
 #endif
-                TreeNode root = new(release.Name) { Name = release.Name };
-                changelogTreeView.Nodes.Add(root);
-                if (changelogTreeView.Nodes.Count > 0)
-                    changelogTreeView.Nodes[0].EnsureVisible();
-                foreach (string change in release.Changes)
-                    Invoke(delegate
-                    {
-                        TreeNode changeNode = new() { Text = change };
-                        root.Nodes.Add(changeNode);
-                        root.Expand();
-                        if (changelogTreeView.Nodes.Count > 0)
-                            changelogTreeView.Nodes[0].EnsureVisible();
-                    });
+            List<ProgramRelease> releases = null;
+            string response =
+                await HttpClientManager.EnsureGet(
+                    $"https://api.github.com/repos/{Program.RepositoryOwner}/{Program.RepositoryName}/releases");
+            if (response is not null)
+                releases = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<List<ProgramRelease>>(response)
+                    ?.Where(release => !release.Draft && !release.Prerelease && release.Asset is not null).ToList();
+            latestRelease = releases?.FirstOrDefault();
+#if DEBUG
+            if (latestRelease?.Version is not { } latestVersion)
+#else
+            if (latestRelease?.Version is not { } latestVersion || latestVersion <= currentVersion)
+#endif
+                StartProgram();
+            else
+            {
+                progressLabel.Text = $"An update is available: v{latestVersion}";
+                ignoreButton.Enabled = true;
+                updateButton.Enabled = true;
+                updateButton.Click += OnUpdate;
+                changelogTreeView.Visible = true;
+                foreach (ProgramRelease release in releases)
+                {
+#if !DEBUG
+                    if (release.Version <= currentVersion)
+                        continue;
+#endif
+                    TreeNode root = new(release.Name) { Name = release.Name };
+                    changelogTreeView.Nodes.Add(root);
+                    if (changelogTreeView.Nodes.Count > 0)
+                        changelogTreeView.Nodes[0].EnsureVisible();
+                    foreach (string change in release.Changes)
+                        Invoke(delegate
+                        {
+                            TreeNode changeNode = new() { Text = change };
+                            root.Nodes.Add(changeNode);
+                            root.Expand();
+                            if (changelogTreeView.Nodes.Count > 0)
+                                changelogTreeView.Nodes[0].EnsureVisible();
+                        });
+                }
             }
         }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            // Handle exceptions in async void to prevent unobserved exceptions
+#if DEBUG
+            System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine($"OnLoad exception: {ex.Message}");
+            ex.HandleFatalException();
+#else
+            // In release, try to continue gracefully
+            StartProgram();
+#endif
+        }
     }
 
     private void OnLoad(object sender, EventArgs _)
     {
-        retry:
-        try
+        bool retry = true;
+        while (retry)
         {
-            UpdaterPath.DeleteFile();
-            OnLoad();
-        }
-        catch (Exception e)
-        {
-            if (e.HandleException(this))
-                goto retry;
-            Close();
+            try
+            {
+                UpdaterPath.DeleteFile();
+                OnLoad();
+                retry = false;
+            }
+            catch (Exception e)
+            {
+                retry = e.HandleException(this);
+                if (!retry)
+                    Close();
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -123,122 +141,135 @@ internal sealed partial class UpdateForm : CustomForm
 
     private async void OnUpdate(object sender, EventArgs e)
     {
-        progressBar.Value = 0;
-        progressBar.Visible = true;
-        ignoreButton.Visible = false;
-        updateButton.Text = "Cancel";
-        updateButton.Click -= OnUpdate;
-        updateButton.Click += OnUpdateCancel;
-        changelogTreeView.Location =
-            progressBar.Location with { Y = progressBar.Location.Y + progressBar.Size.Height + 6 };
-        Refresh();
-        Progress<int> progress = new();
-        IProgress<int> iProgress = progress;
-        progress.ProgressChanged += delegate(object _, int _progress)
-        {
-            progressLabel.Text = $"Updating . . . {_progress}%";
-            progressBar.Value = _progress;
-        };
-        progressLabel.Text = "Updating . . . ";
-        cancellation = new();
-        bool success = true;
-        PackagePath.DeleteFile(true);
-        await using FileStream update = PackagePath.CreateFile(true);
-        bool retry = true;
         try
         {
-            if (cancellation is null || Program.Canceled)
-                throw new TaskCanceledException();
-            using HttpResponseMessage response = await HttpClientManager.HttpClient.GetAsync(
-                latestRelease.Asset.BrowserDownloadUrl,
-                HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellation.Token);
-            _ = response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
-            if (cancellation is null || Program.Canceled)
-                throw new TaskCanceledException();
-            await using Stream download = await response.Content.ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellation.Token);
-            double bytes = latestRelease.Asset.Size;
-            byte[] buffer = new byte[16384];
-            long bytesRead = 0;
-            int newBytes;
-            while (cancellation is not null && !Program.Canceled
-                                            && (newBytes = await download.ReadAsync(buffer.AsMemory(0, buffer.Length),
-                                                cancellation.Token)) != 0)
+            progressBar.Value = 0;
+            progressBar.Visible = true;
+            ignoreButton.Visible = false;
+            updateButton.Text = "Cancel";
+            updateButton.Click -= OnUpdate;
+            updateButton.Click += OnUpdateCancel;
+            changelogTreeView.Location =
+                progressBar.Location with { Y = progressBar.Location.Y + progressBar.Size.Height + 6 };
+            Refresh();
+            Progress<int> progress = new();
+            IProgress<int> iProgress = progress;
+            progress.ProgressChanged += delegate(object _, int _progress)
+            {
+                progressLabel.Text = $"Updating . . . {_progress}%";
+                progressBar.Value = _progress;
+            };
+            progressLabel.Text = "Updating . . . ";
+            cancellation = new();
+            bool success = true;
+            PackagePath.DeleteFile(true);
+            await using FileStream update = PackagePath.CreateFile(true);
+            bool retry = true;
+            try
             {
                 if (cancellation is null || Program.Canceled)
                     throw new TaskCanceledException();
-                await update.WriteAsync(buffer.AsMemory(0, newBytes), cancellation.Token);
-                bytesRead += newBytes;
-                int report = (int)(bytesRead / bytes * 100);
-                if (report <= progressBar.Value)
-                    continue;
-                iProgress.Report(report);
+                using HttpResponseMessage response = await HttpClientManager.HttpClient.GetAsync(
+                    latestRelease.Asset.BrowserDownloadUrl,
+                    HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead, cancellation.Token);
+                _ = response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+                if (cancellation is null || Program.Canceled)
+                    throw new TaskCanceledException();
+                await using Stream download = await response.Content.ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellation.Token);
+                double bytes = latestRelease.Asset.Size;
+                byte[] buffer = new byte[16384];
+                long bytesRead = 0;
+                int newBytes;
+                while (cancellation is not null && !Program.Canceled
+                                                && (newBytes = await download.ReadAsync(buffer.AsMemory(0, buffer.Length),
+                                                    cancellation.Token)) != 0)
+                {
+                    if (cancellation is null || Program.Canceled)
+                        throw new TaskCanceledException();
+                    await update.WriteAsync(buffer.AsMemory(0, newBytes), cancellation.Token);
+                    bytesRead += newBytes;
+                    int report = (int)(bytesRead / bytes * 100);
+                    if (report <= progressBar.Value)
+                        continue;
+                    iProgress.Report(report);
+                }
+
+                iProgress.Report((int)(bytesRead / bytes * 100));
+                if (cancellation is null || Program.Canceled)
+                    throw new TaskCanceledException();
+            }
+            catch (TaskCanceledException)
+            {
+                success = false;
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                retry = ex.HandleException(this, Program.Name + " encountered an exception while updating");
+                success = false;
             }
 
-            iProgress.Report((int)(bytesRead / bytes * 100));
-            if (cancellation is null || Program.Canceled)
-                throw new TaskCanceledException();
-        }
-        catch (TaskCanceledException)
-        {
-            success = false;
+            cancellation?.Dispose();
+            cancellation = null;
+            await update.DisposeAsync();
+            bool canContinue = success && !Program.Canceled;
+            if (canContinue)
+                updateButton.Enabled = false;
+            ExecutablePath.DeleteFile(canContinue);
+            if (canContinue)
+                await Task.Run(() => PackagePath.ExtractZip(ProgramData.DirectoryPath, true, this));
+            PackagePath.DeleteFile(canContinue);
+            if (canContinue)
+            {
+                string path = Program.CurrentProcessFilePath;
+                string directory = Path.GetDirectoryName(path);
+                string file = Path.GetFileName(path);
+                StringBuilder commands = new();
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"chcp 65001");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $":LOOP");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"TASKKILL /F /T /PID {Program.CurrentProcessId}");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"TASKLIST | FIND \" {Program.CurrentProcessId} \"");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 (");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"   TIMEOUT /T 1");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"   GOTO LOOP");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $")");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"MOVE /Y \"{ExecutablePath}\" \"{path}\"");
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"START \"\" /D \"{directory}\" \"{file}\"");
+#if DEBUG
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"PAUSE");
+#endif
+                _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"EXIT");
+                UpdaterPath.WriteFile(commands.ToString(), true, this, Encoding.Default);
+                Process process = new();
+                ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new()
+                {
+                    WorkingDirectory = ProgramData.DirectoryPath, FileName = "cmd.exe",
+                    Arguments = $"/C START \"UPDATER\" /B {Path.GetFileName(UpdaterPath)}",
+#if DEBUG
+                    CreateNoWindow = false
+#else
+                    CreateNoWindow = true
+#endif
+                };
+                process.StartInfo = startInfo;
+                _ = process.Start();
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (!retry)
+                StartProgram();
+            else
+                OnLoad();
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
-            retry = ex.HandleException(this, Program.Name + " encountered an exception while updating");
-            success = false;
-        }
-
-        cancellation?.Dispose();
-        cancellation = null;
-        await update.DisposeAsync();
-        bool canContinue = success && !Program.Canceled;
-        if (canContinue)
-            updateButton.Enabled = false;
-        ExecutablePath.DeleteFile(canContinue);
-        if (canContinue)
-            await Task.Run(() => PackagePath.ExtractZip(ProgramData.DirectoryPath, true, this));
-        PackagePath.DeleteFile(canContinue);
-        if (canContinue)
-        {
-            string path = Program.CurrentProcessFilePath;
-            string directory = Path.GetDirectoryName(path);
-            string file = Path.GetFileName(path);
-            StringBuilder commands = new();
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"chcp 65001");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $":LOOP");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"TASKKILL /F /T /PID {Program.CurrentProcessId}");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"TASKLIST | FIND \" {Program.CurrentProcessId} \"");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 (");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"   TIMEOUT /T 1");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"   GOTO LOOP");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $")");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"MOVE /Y \"{ExecutablePath}\" \"{path}\"");
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"START \"\" /D \"{directory}\" \"{file}\"");
+            // Handle exceptions in async void event handler to prevent unobserved exceptions
 #if DEBUG
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"PAUSE");
+            System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine($"OnUpdate exception: {ex.Message}");
 #endif
-            _ = commands.AppendLine(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, $"EXIT");
-            UpdaterPath.WriteFile(commands.ToString(), true, this, Encoding.Default);
-            Process process = new();
-            ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new()
-            {
-                WorkingDirectory = ProgramData.DirectoryPath, FileName = "cmd.exe",
-                Arguments = $"/C START \"UPDATER\" /B {Path.GetFileName(UpdaterPath)}",
-#if DEBUG
-                CreateNoWindow = false
-#else
-                CreateNoWindow = true
-#endif
-            };
-            process.StartInfo = startInfo;
-            _ = process.Start();
-            return;
-        }
-
-        if (!retry)
+            // Show error to user
+            ex.HandleException(this, Program.Name + " encountered an unexpected error during update");
             StartProgram();
-        else
-            OnLoad();
+        }
     }
 
     private void OnUpdateCancel(object sender, EventArgs e)

CreamInstaller/Platforms/Epic/EpicLibrary.cs

@@ -28,10 +28,17 @@ internal static class EpicLibrary
         }
     }
 
+    internal static readonly List<Manifest> TestManifests = [];
+
     internal static async Task<List<Manifest>> GetGames()
         => await Task.Run(async () =>
         {
             List<Manifest> games = new();
+
+            foreach (Manifest test in TestManifests)
+                if (games.All(g => g.CatalogNamespace != test.CatalogNamespace))
+                    games.Add(test);
+
             string manifests = EpicManifestsPath;
             if (manifests.DirectoryExists())
                 foreach (string item in manifests.EnumerateDirectory("*.item"))

CreamInstaller/Platforms/Epic/EpicStore.cs

@@ -132,6 +132,53 @@ internal static class EpicStore
 
     public static bool EpicBool = true;
 
+    internal static async Task<List<(string @namespace, string name)>> QuerySearch(string keyword)
+    {
+        List<(string, string)> results = [];
+        try
+        {
+            string query = """
+                query searchByKeyword($keywords: String!) {
+                    Catalog {
+                        searchStore(keywords: $keywords, category: "games/edition/base", count: 10, country: "US", locale: "en-US", allowCountries: "US") {
+                            elements {
+                                title
+                                namespace
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                """;
+            var payload = new { query, variables = new { keywords = keyword } };
+            string payloadJson = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(payload);
+            using HttpContent content = new StringContent(payloadJson, System.Text.Encoding.UTF8, "application/json");
+            HttpClient client = HttpClientManager.HttpClient;
+            if (client is null)
+                return results;
+            HttpResponseMessage httpResponse =
+                await client.PostAsync(new Uri("https://launcher.store.epicgames.com/graphql"), content);
+            _ = httpResponse.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+            string response = await httpResponse.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
+            Newtonsoft.Json.Linq.JObject root = Newtonsoft.Json.Linq.JObject.Parse(response);
+            Newtonsoft.Json.Linq.JToken elements = root["data"]?["Catalog"]?["searchStore"]?["elements"];
+            if (elements is null)
+                return results;
+            foreach (Newtonsoft.Json.Linq.JToken el in elements)
+            {
+                string name = el["title"]?.ToString();
+                string ns = el["namespace"]?.ToString();
+                if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(name) && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(ns)
+                    && results.All(r => r.Item1 != ns))
+                    results.Add((ns, name));
+            }
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // ignored
+        }
+        return results;
+    }
+
     private static async Task<Response> QueryGraphQL(string categoryNamespace)
     {
         try

CreamInstaller/Platforms/Steam/SteamCMD.cs

@@ -46,82 +46,84 @@ internal static partial class SteamCMD
     private static async Task<string> Run(string appId)
         => await Task.Run(() =>
         {
-            wait_for_lock:
-            if (Program.Canceled)
-                return "";
-            for (int i = 0; i < Locks.Length; i++)
+            while (true)
             {
                 if (Program.Canceled)
                     return "";
-                if (Interlocked.CompareExchange(ref Locks[i], 1, 0) != 0)
-                    continue;
-                if (appId != null)
-                {
-                    _ = AttemptCount.TryGetValue(appId, out int count);
-                    AttemptCount[appId] = ++count;
-                }
 
-                if (Program.Canceled)
-                    return "";
-                ProcessStartInfo processStartInfo = new()
-                {
-                    FileName = FilePath, RedirectStandardOutput = true, RedirectStandardInput = true,
-                    RedirectStandardError = true,
-                    UseShellExecute = false, Arguments = appId is null ? "+quit" : GetArguments(appId),
-                    CreateNoWindow = true,
-                    StandardInputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8, StandardOutputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8,
-                    StandardErrorEncoding = Encoding.UTF8
-                };
-                Process process = Process.Start(processStartInfo);
-                StringBuilder output = new();
-                StringBuilder appInfo = new();
-                bool appInfoStarted = false;
-                DateTime lastOutput = DateTime.UtcNow;
-                while (process != null)
+                for (int i = 0; i < Locks.Length; i++)
                 {
                     if (Program.Canceled)
+                        return "";
+                    if (Interlocked.CompareExchange(ref Locks[i], 1, 0) != 0)
+                        continue;
+                    if (appId != null)
                     {
+                        _ = AttemptCount.TryGetValue(appId, out int count);
+                        AttemptCount[appId] = ++count;
+                    }
+
+                    if (Program.Canceled)
+                        return "";
+                    ProcessStartInfo processStartInfo = new()
+                    {
+                        FileName = FilePath, RedirectStandardOutput = true, RedirectStandardInput = true,
+                        RedirectStandardError = true,
+                        UseShellExecute = false, Arguments = appId is null ? "+quit" : GetArguments(appId),
+                        CreateNoWindow = true,
+                        StandardInputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8, StandardOutputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8,
+                        StandardErrorEncoding = Encoding.UTF8
+                    };
+                    Process process = Process.Start(processStartInfo);
+                    StringBuilder output = new();
+                    StringBuilder appInfo = new();
+                    bool appInfoStarted = false;
+                    DateTime lastOutput = DateTime.UtcNow;
+                    while (process != null)
+                    {
+                        if (Program.Canceled)
+                        {
+                            process.Kill(true);
+                            process.Close();
+                            break;
+                        }
+
+                        int c = process.StandardOutput.Read();
+                        if (c != -1)
+                        {
+                            lastOutput = DateTime.UtcNow;
+                            char ch = (char)c;
+                            if (ch == '{')
+                                appInfoStarted = true;
+                            _ = appInfoStarted ? appInfo.Append(ch) : output.Append(ch);
+                        }
+
+                        DateTime now = DateTime.UtcNow;
+                        TimeSpan timeDiff = now - lastOutput;
+                        if (!(timeDiff.TotalSeconds > 0.1))
+                            continue;
                         process.Kill(true);
                         process.Close();
-                        break;
+                        if (appId != null &&
+                            output.ToString().Contains($"No app info for AppID {appId} found, requesting..."))
+                        {
+                            AttemptCount[appId]++;
+                            processStartInfo.Arguments = GetArguments(appId);
+                            process = Process.Start(processStartInfo);
+                            appInfoStarted = false;
+                            _ = output.Clear();
+                            _ = appInfo.Clear();
+                        }
+                        else
+                            break;
                     }
 
-                    int c = process.StandardOutput.Read();
-                    if (c != -1)
-                    {
-                        lastOutput = DateTime.UtcNow;
-                        char ch = (char)c;
-                        if (ch == '{')
-                            appInfoStarted = true;
-                        _ = appInfoStarted ? appInfo.Append(ch) : output.Append(ch);
-                    }
-
-                    DateTime now = DateTime.UtcNow;
-                    TimeSpan timeDiff = now - lastOutput;
-                    if (!(timeDiff.TotalSeconds > 0.1))
-                        continue;
-                    process.Kill(true);
-                    process.Close();
-                    if (appId != null &&
-                        output.ToString().Contains($"No app info for AppID {appId} found, requesting..."))
-                    {
-                        AttemptCount[appId]++;
-                        processStartInfo.Arguments = GetArguments(appId);
-                        process = Process.Start(processStartInfo);
-                        appInfoStarted = false;
-                        _ = output.Clear();
-                        _ = appInfo.Clear();
-                    }
-                    else
-                        break;
+                    _ = Interlocked.Decrement(ref Locks[i]);
+                    return appInfo.ToString();
                 }
 
-                _ = Interlocked.Decrement(ref Locks[i]);
-                return appInfo.ToString();
+                Thread.Sleep(200);
             }
-
-            Thread.Sleep(200);
-            goto wait_for_lock;
         });
 
     internal static async Task<bool> Setup(IProgress<int> progress)
@@ -129,27 +131,39 @@ internal static partial class SteamCMD
         await Cleanup();
         if (!FilePath.FileExists())
         {
-            retryDownload:
-            HttpClient httpClient = HttpClientManager.HttpClient;
-            if (httpClient is null)
-                return false;
-            while (!Program.Canceled)
-                try
-                {
-                    byte[] file =
-                        await httpClient.GetByteArrayAsync(
-                            new Uri("https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip"));
-                    _ = file.WriteResource(ArchivePath);
-                    ArchivePath.ExtractZip(DirectoryPath);
-                    ArchivePath.DeleteFile();
-                    break;
-                }
-                catch (Exception e)
-                {
-                    if (e.HandleException(caption: Program.Name + " failed to download SteamCMD"))
-                        goto retryDownload;
+            bool retryDownload = true;
+            while (retryDownload)
+            {
+                HttpClient httpClient = HttpClientManager.HttpClient;
+                if (httpClient is null)
                     return false;
+
+                bool downloadSuccess = false;
+                while (!Program.Canceled && !downloadSuccess)
+                {
+                    try
+                    {
+                        byte[] file =
+                            await httpClient.GetByteArrayAsync(
+                                new Uri("https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip"));
+                        _ = file.WriteResource(ArchivePath);
+                        ArchivePath.ExtractZip(DirectoryPath);
+                        ArchivePath.DeleteFile();
+                        downloadSuccess = true;
+                        retryDownload = false;
+                    }
+                    catch (Exception e)
+                    {
+                        retryDownload = e.HandleException(caption: Program.Name + " failed to download SteamCMD");
+                        if (!retryDownload)
+                            return false;
+                        break;
+                    }
                 }
+
+                if (downloadSuccess)
+                    break;
+            }
         }
 
         if (DllPath.FileExists())

CreamInstaller/Platforms/Steam/SteamLibrary.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.IO;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using CreamInstaller.Utility;
@@ -9,6 +10,9 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Platforms.Steam;
 
 internal static class SteamLibrary
 {
+    internal static readonly List<(string appId, string name, string branch, int buildId, string gameDirectory)>
+        TestGames = [];
+
     private static string installPath;
 
     internal static string InstallPath
@@ -28,16 +32,24 @@ internal static class SteamLibrary
         {
             List<(string appId, string name, string branch, int buildId, string gameDirectory)> games = new();
             HashSet<string> gameLibraryDirectories = await GetLibraryDirectories();
+            ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Found {gameLibraryDirectories.Count} library folder(s).");
             foreach (string libraryDirectory in gameLibraryDirectories)
             {
                 if (Program.Canceled)
                     return games;
+                ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Scanning library: {libraryDirectory}");
                 foreach ((string appId, string name, string branch, int buildId, string gameDirectory) game in (await
                              GetGamesFromLibraryDirectory(
                                  libraryDirectory)).Where(game => games.All(_game => _game.appId != game.appId)))
                     games.Add(game);
             }
 
+            foreach ((string appId, string name, string branch, int buildId, string gameDirectory) testGame in
+                     TestGames.Where(t => games.All(g => g.appId != t.appId)))
+                games.Add(testGame);
+            if (TestGames.Count > 0)
+                ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Injected {TestGames.Count} test game(s).");
+            ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Total games detected: {games.Count}");
             return games;
         });
 
@@ -47,13 +59,21 @@ internal static class SteamLibrary
         {
             List<(string appId, string name, string branch, int buildId, string gameDirectory)> games = new();
             if (Program.Canceled || !libraryDirectory.DirectoryExists())
+            {
+                ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Skipping library (not found or canceled): {libraryDirectory}");
                 return games;
+            }
+
             foreach (string file in libraryDirectory.EnumerateDirectory("*.acf"))
             {
                 if (Program.Canceled)
                     return games;
                 if (!ValveDataFile.TryDeserialize(file.ReadFile(), out VProperty result))
+                {
+                    ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Failed to deserialize ACF: {file}");
                     continue;
+                }
+
                 string appId = result.Value.GetChild("appid")?.ToString();
                 string installdir = result.Value.GetChild("installdir")?.ToString();
                 string name = result.Value.GetChild("name")?.ToString();
@@ -61,11 +81,23 @@ internal static class SteamLibrary
                 if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(appId) || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(installdir) ||
                     string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(name)
                     || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(buildId))
+                {
+                    ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Skipping ACF with missing fields: {file}");
                     continue;
-                string gameDirectory = (libraryDirectory + @"\common\" + installdir).ResolvePath();
-                if (gameDirectory is null || !int.TryParse(appId, out int _) ||
-                    !int.TryParse(buildId, out int buildIdInt) || games.Any(g => g.appId == appId))
+                }
+
+                string rawGameDirectory = libraryDirectory + @"\common\" + installdir;
+                string gameDirectory = rawGameDirectory.ResolvePath();
+                if (gameDirectory is null)
+                {
+                    ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Game directory not found (drive may be slow or disconnected): {rawGameDirectory} | App: {name} ({appId})");
                     continue;
+                }
+
+                if (!int.TryParse(appId, out int _) || !int.TryParse(buildId, out int buildIdInt) ||
+                    games.Any(g => g.appId == appId))
+                    continue;
+
                 VToken userConfig = result.Value.GetChild("UserConfig");
                 string branch = userConfig?.GetChild("BetaKey")?.ToString();
                 branch ??= userConfig?.GetChild("betakey")?.ToString();
@@ -78,6 +110,8 @@ internal static class SteamLibrary
 
                 if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(branch))
                     branch = "public";
+
+                ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Detected game: {name} ({appId}) | Branch: {branch} | Dir: {gameDirectory}");
                 games.Add((appId, name, branch, buildIdInt, gameDirectory));
             }
 
@@ -92,25 +126,50 @@ internal static class SteamLibrary
                 return libraryDirectories;
             string steamInstallPath = InstallPath;
             if (steamInstallPath == null || !steamInstallPath.DirectoryExists())
+            {
+                ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Steam install path not found or inaccessible: {steamInstallPath ?? "(null)"}");
                 return libraryDirectories;
+            }
+
             string libraryFolder = steamInstallPath + @"\steamapps";
             if (!libraryFolder.DirectoryExists())
+            {
+                ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Default steamapps folder not found: {libraryFolder}");
                 return libraryDirectories;
+            }
+
             _ = libraryDirectories.Add(libraryFolder);
+            ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Default library folder: {libraryFolder}");
+
             string libraryFolders = libraryFolder + @"\libraryfolders.vdf";
             if (!libraryFolders.FileExists() ||
                 !ValveDataFile.TryDeserialize(libraryFolders.ReadFile(), out VProperty result))
+            {
+                ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] libraryfolders.vdf not found or failed to parse: {libraryFolders}");
                 return libraryDirectories;
+            }
+
             foreach (VToken vToken in result.Value.Where(p =>
                          p is VProperty property && int.TryParse(property.Key, out int _)))
             {
                 VProperty property = (VProperty)vToken;
-                string path = property.Value.GetChild("path")?.ToString();
-                if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(path))
+                string rawPath = property.Value.GetChild("path")?.ToString();
+                if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(rawPath))
                     continue;
-                path += @"\steamapps";
-                if (path.DirectoryExists())
-                    _ = libraryDirectories.Add(path);
+
+                // Normalize the path from VDF (may use forward slashes or wrong casing)
+                string normalizedPath = Path.GetFullPath(rawPath);
+                string steamappsPath = normalizedPath + @"\steamapps";
+                string resolvedPath = steamappsPath.ResolvePath();
+
+                if (resolvedPath is null)
+                {
+                    ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] External library not accessible (drive may be disconnected or letter changed): {steamappsPath}");
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                if (libraryDirectories.Add(resolvedPath))
+                    ProgramData.Log($"[Steam] Additional library folder found: {resolvedPath}");
             }
 
             return libraryDirectories;

CreamInstaller/Platforms/Steam/SteamStore.cs

@@ -18,6 +18,25 @@ internal static class SteamStore
     private const int CooldownGame = 600;
     private const int CooldownDlc = 1200;
 
+#if DEBUG
+    private static string FormatErrorLog(int attempts, string appId, string gameName, bool isDlc, string reason, 
+        string parentGameName = null, string parentGameAppId = null)
+    {
+        if (isDlc && parentGameName != null && parentGameAppId != null)
+        {
+            return $"[SteamQuery][Attempt {attempts}][FAILED]\n" +
+                   $"BaseGame: \"{parentGameName}\" ({parentGameAppId})\n" +
+                   $"DLC: \"{gameName}\" ({appId})\n" +
+                   $"Type: DLC\n" +
+                   $"Reason: {reason}\n" +
+                   "-------";
+        }
+
+        string type = isDlc ? "DLC" : "Game";
+        return $"[SteamQuery][Attempt {attempts}][FAILED] AppId: {appId} | Name: \"{gameName}\" | Type: {type} | Reason: {reason}";
+    }
+#endif
+
     internal static async Task<HashSet<string>> ParseDlcAppIds(StoreAppData storeAppData)
         => await Task.Run(() =>
         {
@@ -31,8 +50,9 @@ internal static class SteamStore
             return dlcIds;
         });
 
-    internal static async Task<StoreAppData> QueryStoreAPI(string appId, bool isDlc = false, int attempts = 0)
+    internal static async Task<StoreAppData> QueryStoreAPI(string appId, bool isDlc = false, int attempts = 0, string parentGameName = null, string parentGameAppId = null)
     {
+        string gameName = "Unknown";
         while (!Program.Canceled)
         {
             attempts++;
@@ -55,13 +75,14 @@ internal static class SteamStore
                                 if (storeAppDetails is not null)
                                 {
                                     StoreAppData data = storeAppDetails.Data;
+                                    if (data?.Name is not null)
+                                        gameName = data.Name;
+
                                     if (!storeAppDetails.Success)
                                     {
 #if DEBUG
                                         DebugForm.Current.Log(
-                                            "Steam store query failed on attempt #" + attempts + " for " + appId +
-                                            (isDlc ? " (DLC)" : "")
-                                            + ": Query unsuccessful (" + app.Value.ToString(Formatting.None) + ")",
+                                            FormatErrorLog(attempts, appId, gameName, isDlc, "Query unsuccessful", parentGameName, parentGameAppId),
                                             LogTextBox.Warning);
 #endif
                                         if (data is null)
@@ -78,9 +99,8 @@ internal static class SteamStore
 #if DEBUG
                                             (Exception e)
                                         {
-                                            DebugForm.Current.Log("Steam store query failed on attempt #" + attempts +
-                                                                  " for " + appId + (isDlc ? " (DLC)" : "")
-                                                                  + ": Unsuccessful serialization (" + e.Message + ")");
+                                            DebugForm.Current.Log(
+                                                FormatErrorLog(attempts, appId, gameName, isDlc, $"Unsuccessful serialization ({e.Message})", parentGameName, parentGameAppId));
                                         }
 #else
                                         {
@@ -90,27 +110,24 @@ internal static class SteamStore
                                         return data;
                                     }
 #if DEBUG
-                                    DebugForm.Current.Log("Steam store query failed on attempt #" + attempts + " for " +
-                                                          appId + (isDlc ? " (DLC)" : "")
-                                                          + ": Response data null (" +
-                                                          app.Value.ToString(Formatting.None) + ")");
+                                    DebugForm.Current.Log(
+                                        FormatErrorLog(attempts, appId, gameName, isDlc, "Response data null", parentGameName, parentGameAppId));
 #endif
                                 }
 #if DEBUG
                                 else
-                                    DebugForm.Current.Log("Steam store query failed on attempt #" + attempts + " for " +
-                                                          appId + (isDlc ? " (DLC)" : "")
-                                                          + ": Response details null (" +
-                                                          app.Value.ToString(Formatting.None) + ")");
+                                {
+                                    DebugForm.Current.Log(
+                                        FormatErrorLog(attempts, appId, gameName, isDlc, "Response details null", parentGameName, parentGameAppId));
+                                }
 #endif
                             }
                             catch
 #if DEBUG
                                 (Exception e)
                             {
-                                DebugForm.Current.Log("Steam store query failed on attempt #" + attempts + " for " +
-                                                      appId + (isDlc ? " (DLC)" : "")
-                                                      + ": Unsuccessful deserialization (" + e.Message + ")");
+                                DebugForm.Current.Log(
+                                    FormatErrorLog(attempts, appId, gameName, isDlc, $"Unsuccessful deserialization ({e.Message})", parentGameName, parentGameAppId));
                             }
 #else
                             {
@@ -119,17 +136,19 @@ internal static class SteamStore
 #endif
 #if DEBUG
                     else
-                        DebugForm.Current.Log("Steam store query failed on attempt #" + attempts + " for " + appId +
-                                              (isDlc ? " (DLC)" : "")
-                                              + ": Response deserialization null");
+                    {
+                        DebugForm.Current.Log(
+                            FormatErrorLog(attempts, appId, gameName, isDlc, "Response deserialization null", parentGameName, parentGameAppId));
+                    }
 #endif
                 }
 #if DEBUG
                 else
+                {
                     DebugForm.Current.Log(
-                        "Steam store query failed on attempt #" + attempts + " for " + appId + (isDlc ? " (DLC)" : "") +
-                        ": Response null",
+                        FormatErrorLog(attempts, appId, gameName, isDlc, "Null or empty response", parentGameName, parentGameAppId),
                         LogTextBox.Warning);
+                }
 #endif
             }
 
@@ -148,7 +167,8 @@ internal static class SteamStore
             if (attempts > 10)
             {
 #if DEBUG
-                DebugForm.Current.Log("Failed to query Steam store after 10 tries: " + appId);
+                DebugForm.Current.Log(
+                    FormatErrorLog(attempts, appId, gameName, isDlc, "Maximum retry attempts exceeded (10)", parentGameName, parentGameAppId));
 #endif
                 break;
             }

CreamInstaller/Program.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ using System;
 using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Threading;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using System.Windows.Forms;
 using CreamInstaller.Forms;
 using CreamInstaller.Platforms.Steam;
@@ -65,24 +66,30 @@ internal static class Program
             Application.SetUnhandledExceptionMode(UnhandledExceptionMode.CatchException);
             AppDomain.CurrentDomain.UnhandledException +=
                 (_, e) => (e.ExceptionObject as Exception)?.HandleFatalException();
-            retry:
-            try
+            bool retry = true;
+            while (retry)
             {
-                HttpClientManager.Setup();
-                using UpdateForm form = new();
+                try
+                {
+                    HttpClientManager.Setup();
+                    using UpdateForm form = new();
 #if DEBUG
-                DebugForm.Current.Attach(form);
+                    DebugForm.Current.Attach(form);
 #endif
-                // Apply initial theme (dark by default)
-                Utility.ThemeManager.Apply(form);
-                Application.Run(form);
-            }
-            catch (Exception e)
-            {
-                if (e.HandleException())
-                    goto retry;
-                Application.Exit();
-                return;
+                    // Apply initial theme (dark by default)
+                    Utility.ThemeManager.Apply(form);
+                    Application.Run(form);
+                    retry = false;
+                }
+                catch (Exception e)
+                {
+                    retry = e.HandleException();
+                    if (!retry)
+                    {
+                        Application.Exit();
+                        return;
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
 
@@ -91,15 +98,72 @@ internal static class Program
 
     internal static bool Canceled;
 
-    internal static async void Cleanup(bool cancel = true)
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Initiates application cleanup asynchronously. Use this when you can await the result.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="cancel">Whether to set the Canceled flag</param>
+    /// <returns>Task that completes when cleanup is finished</returns>
+    internal static async Task CleanupAsync(bool cancel = true)
     {
-        Canceled = cancel;
+        if (cancel)
+            Canceled = true;
         await SteamCMD.Cleanup();
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Synchronous cleanup wrapper for event handlers and other synchronous contexts.
+    /// Initiates cleanup without blocking but does not wait for completion.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="cancel">Whether to set the Canceled flag</param>
+    internal static void Cleanup(bool cancel = true)
+    {
+        if (cancel)
+            Canceled = true;
+
+        // Fire and forget - don't block synchronous callers
+        // Any exceptions will be logged but won't crash the app
+        _ = Task.Run(async () =>
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                await SteamCMD.Cleanup();
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+#if DEBUG
+                System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine($"Cleanup failed: {ex.Message}");
+#endif
+                // Swallow exceptions during fire-and-forget cleanup
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
     private static void OnApplicationExit(object s, EventArgs e)
     {
-        Cleanup();
-        HttpClientManager.Dispose();
+        Canceled = true;
+
+        // For application exit, we should try to wait briefly for cleanup
+        try
+        {
+            Task cleanupTask = SteamCMD.Cleanup();
+            // Wait up to 5 seconds for graceful cleanup
+            if (!cleanupTask.Wait(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5)))
+            {
+#if DEBUG
+                System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("Cleanup timed out during application exit");
+#endif
+            }
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+#if DEBUG
+            System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine($"Cleanup exception during exit: {ex.Message}");
+#endif
+            // Ignore exceptions during shutdown
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            HttpClientManager.Dispose();
+        }
     }
 }

CreamInstaller/Resources/CreamAPI.cs

@@ -41,14 +41,15 @@ internal static class CreamAPI
         config.CreateFile(true, installForm)?.Close();
         StreamWriter writer = new(config, true, Encoding.Default);
         WriteConfig(writer, selection.Name, !int.TryParse(selection.Id, out _) ? "0" : selection.Id,
-            new(dlc.ToDictionary(_dlc => _dlc.Id, _dlc => _dlc.Name), PlatformIdComparer.String), installForm);
+            new(dlc.ToDictionary(_dlc => _dlc.Id, _dlc => _dlc.Name), PlatformIdComparer.String),
+            selection.UseExtraProtection, installForm);
         writer.Flush();
         writer.Close();
         return;
     }
 
     private static void WriteConfig(StreamWriter writer, string name, string appId,
-        SortedList<string, string> dlc, InstallForm installForm = null)
+        SortedList<string, string> dlc, bool extraProtection = false, InstallForm installForm = null)
     {
         writer.WriteLine($"; {name}");
         writer.WriteLine("[steam]");
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ internal static class CreamAPI
         writer.WriteLine("unlockall = false");
         writer.WriteLine("orgapi = steam_api_o.dll");
         writer.WriteLine("orgapi64 = steam_api64_o.dll");
-        writer.WriteLine("extraprotection = false"); // we may want to set this on by default?
+        writer.WriteLine($"extraprotection = {(extraProtection ? "true" : "false")}");
         writer.WriteLine("forceoffline = false");
         writer.WriteLine();
         writer.WriteLine("[steam_misc]"); // this line seems to be required in v5.3.0.0, or the config won't be read

CreamInstaller/Resources/UplayR1.cs

@@ -68,10 +68,10 @@ internal static class UplayR1
                     false);
             }
 
-            writer.WriteLine("  ],");
+            writer.WriteLine("  ]");
         }
         else
-            writer.WriteLine("  \"blacklist\": [],");
+            writer.WriteLine("  \"blacklist\": []");
 
         writer.WriteLine("}");
     }

CreamInstaller/Resources/UplayR2.cs

@@ -72,10 +72,10 @@ internal static class UplayR2
                     false);
             }
 
-            writer.WriteLine("  ],");
+            writer.WriteLine("  ]");
         }
         else
-            writer.WriteLine("  \"blacklist\": [],");
+            writer.WriteLine("  \"blacklist\": []");
 
         writer.WriteLine("}");
     }

CreamInstaller/Selection.cs

@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Concurrent;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.IO;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Windows.Forms;
 using CreamInstaller.Forms;
+using CreamInstaller.Platforms.Epic;
+using CreamInstaller.Platforms.Steam;
+using CreamInstaller.Platforms.Ubisoft;
 using CreamInstaller.Resources;
 using CreamInstaller.Utility;
 using static CreamInstaller.Resources.Resources;
-
 namespace CreamInstaller;
 
 public enum Platform
@@ -34,12 +37,14 @@ internal sealed class Selection : IEquatable<Selection>
     internal readonly string RootDirectory;
     internal readonly TreeNode TreeNode;
     internal string Icon;
+    internal bool UseExtraProtection;
     internal bool UseProxy;
     internal string Proxy;
     internal string Product;
     internal string Publisher;
     internal string SubIcon;
     internal string Website;
+    internal InstalledUnlocker InstalledUnlocker;
 
     internal IEnumerable<string> GetAvailableProxies()
     {
@@ -134,6 +139,100 @@ internal sealed class Selection : IEquatable<Selection>
     internal static Selection FromId(Platform platform, string gameId) =>
         All.Keys.FirstOrDefault(s => s.Platform == platform && s.Id == gameId);
 
+    internal InstalledUnlocker DetectInstalledUnlocker()
+    {
+        foreach (string directory in DllDirectories)
+        {
+            if (Platform is Platform.Steam or Platform.Paradox)
+            {
+                // Use uniquely-named config files to distinguish CreamAPI from SmokeAPI.
+                // Both share steam_api_o.dll so the _o files alone are ambiguous.
+                directory.GetSmokeApiComponents(out _, out _, out _, out _, out string smokeOldConfig,
+                    out string smokeConfig, out _, out _, out _);
+                if (smokeConfig.FileExists() || smokeOldConfig.FileExists())
+                    return InstalledUnlocker.SmokeAPI;
+
+                directory.GetCreamApiComponents(out _, out _, out _, out _, out string creamConfig);
+                if (creamConfig.FileExists())
+                {
+                    ReadCreamApiConfig(creamConfig);
+                    return InstalledUnlocker.CreamAPI;
+                }
+
+                // Fallback: config was deleted but _o files remain — identify by replacement DLL content
+                directory.GetSmokeApiComponents(out string smokeApi32, out string api32_o,
+                    out string smokeApi64, out string api64_o, out _, out _, out _, out _, out _);
+                if (api32_o.FileExists() || api64_o.FileExists())
+                {
+                    if ((smokeApi32.FileExists() && smokeApi32.IsResourceFile(ResourceIdentifier.Steamworks32))
+                        || (smokeApi64.FileExists() && smokeApi64.IsResourceFile(ResourceIdentifier.Steamworks64)))
+                        return InstalledUnlocker.SmokeAPI;
+                    return InstalledUnlocker.CreamAPI;
+                }
+            }
+
+            if (Platform is Platform.Epic or Platform.Paradox)
+            {
+                directory.GetScreamApiComponents(out _, out string api32_o, out _, out string api64_o,
+                    out _, out string config, out _, out _);
+                if (config.FileExists() || api32_o.FileExists() || api64_o.FileExists())
+                    return InstalledUnlocker.ScreamAPI;
+            }
+
+            if (Platform is Platform.Ubisoft)
+            {
+                directory.GetUplayR1Components(out _, out string api32_o, out _, out string api64_o,
+                    out string config, out _);
+                if (config.FileExists() || api32_o.FileExists() || api64_o.FileExists())
+                    return InstalledUnlocker.UplayR1;
+                directory.GetUplayR2Components(out _, out _, out _, out api32_o, out _, out api64_o,
+                    out config, out _);
+                if (config.FileExists() || api32_o.FileExists() || api64_o.FileExists())
+                    return InstalledUnlocker.UplayR2;
+            }
+        }
+
+        foreach ((string directory, _) in ExecutableDirectories)
+        {
+            directory.GetKoaloaderComponents(out _, out string config, out _);
+            if (directory.GetKoaloaderProxies().Any(proxy =>
+                    proxy.FileExists() && proxy.IsResourceFile(ResourceIdentifier.Koaloader))
+                || config.FileExists())
+                return InstalledUnlocker.Koaloader;
+        }
+
+        return InstalledUnlocker.None;
+    }
+
+    private void ReadCreamApiConfig(string configPath)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (!configPath.FileExists())
+                return;
+
+            string[] lines = File.ReadAllLines(configPath);
+            foreach (string line in lines)
+            {
+                string trimmed = line.Trim();
+                if (trimmed.StartsWith("extraprotection", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                {
+                    string[] parts = trimmed.Split('=');
+                    if (parts.Length == 2)
+                    {
+                        string value = parts[1].Trim();
+                        UseExtraProtection = value.Equals("true", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+                    }
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // If we can't read the config, leave UseExtraProtection at its default value
+        }
+    }
+
     public override bool Equals(object obj) => ReferenceEquals(this, obj) || obj is Selection other && Equals(other);
 
     public override int GetHashCode() => HashCode.Combine(Id, (int)Platform);

CreamInstaller/SelectionDLC.cs

@@ -22,17 +22,20 @@ internal sealed class SelectionDLC : IEquatable<SelectionDLC>
     internal readonly string Name;
     internal readonly TreeNode TreeNode;
     internal readonly DLCType Type;
+    internal readonly string GameId;
     internal string Icon;
     internal string Product;
     internal string Publisher;
     private Selection selection;
 
-    private SelectionDLC(DLCType type, string id, string name)
+    private SelectionDLC(DLCType type, string gameId, string id, string name)
     {
         Type = type;
+        GameId = gameId;
         Id = id;
         Name = name;
         TreeNode = new() { Tag = Type, Name = Id, Text = Name };
+        _ = All.TryAdd(this, 0);
     }
 
     internal bool Enabled
@@ -65,15 +68,15 @@ internal sealed class SelectionDLC : IEquatable<SelectionDLC>
 
     public bool Equals(SelectionDLC other)
         => other is not null && (ReferenceEquals(this, other) ||
-                                 Type == other.Type && Selection?.Id == other.Selection?.Id && Id == other.Id);
+                                 Type == other.Type && GameId == other.GameId && Id == other.Id);
 
     internal static SelectionDLC GetOrCreate(DLCType type, string gameId, string id, string name)
-        => FromId(type, gameId, id) ?? new SelectionDLC(type, id, name);
+        => FromId(type, gameId, id) ?? new SelectionDLC(type, gameId, id, name);
 
     internal static SelectionDLC FromId(DLCType type, string gameId, string dlcId)
-        => All.Keys.FirstOrDefault(dlc => dlc.Type == type && dlc.Selection?.Id == gameId && dlc.Id == dlcId);
+        => All.Keys.FirstOrDefault(dlc => dlc.Type == type && dlc.GameId == gameId && dlc.Id == dlcId);
 
     public override bool Equals(object obj) => ReferenceEquals(this, obj) || obj is SelectionDLC other && Equals(other);
 
-    public override int GetHashCode() => HashCode.Combine((int)Type, Selection?.Id, Id);
+    public override int GetHashCode() => HashCode.Combine((int)Type, GameId, Id);
 }

CreamInstaller/Utility/Diagnostics.cs

@@ -54,7 +54,16 @@ internal static class Diagnostics
         if (info.Parent is null)
             return info.Name.ToUpperInvariant();
         string parent = ResolvePath(info.Parent.FullName);
-        string name = info.Parent.GetFileSystemInfos(info.Name)[0].Name;
-        return parent is null ? name : Path.Combine(parent, name);
+        try
+        {
+            FileSystemInfo[] infos = info.Parent.GetFileSystemInfos(info.Name);
+            string name = infos.Length > 0 ? infos[0].Name : info.Name;
+            return parent is null ? name : Path.Combine(parent, name);
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // Fall back to the raw name if the filesystem call fails (e.g. on a slow external drive)
+            return parent is null ? info.Name : Path.Combine(parent, info.Name);
+        }
     }
 }

CreamInstaller/Utility/HttpClientManager.cs

@@ -13,23 +13,59 @@ namespace CreamInstaller.Utility;
 
 internal static class HttpClientManager
 {
-    internal static HttpClient HttpClient;
+    private static readonly object _lock = new();
+    private static HttpClient _httpClient;
+    private static SocketsHttpHandler _handler;
+
+    internal static HttpClient HttpClient
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            lock (_lock)
+            {
+                return _httpClient;
+            }
+        }
+    }
 
     private static readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, string> HttpContentCache = new();
 
     internal static void Setup()
     {
-        HttpClient = new();
-        if (CreamInstaller.Platforms.Epic.EpicStore.EpicBool)
+        lock (_lock)
         {
-            HttpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.UserAgent.Add(new("EpicGamesLauncher", "18.9.0-45233261+++Portal+Release-Live"));
-            CreamInstaller.Platforms.Epic.EpicStore.EpicBool = false;
+            // If already set up, don't recreate to avoid socket exhaustion
+            if (_httpClient != null)
+                return;
+
+            // Create a SocketsHttpHandler with proper pooling and lifecycle settings
+            _handler = new SocketsHttpHandler
+            {
+                PooledConnectionLifetime = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(10), // Rotate connections every 10 minutes to respect DNS changes
+                PooledConnectionIdleTimeout = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(2), // Close idle connections after 2 minutes
+                MaxConnectionsPerServer = 10, // Reasonable concurrent connection limit
+                EnableMultipleHttp2Connections = true
+            };
+
+            // Create HttpClient with the handler
+            _httpClient = new HttpClient(_handler, disposeHandler: false)
+            {
+                Timeout = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30) // 30 second timeout for all requests
+            };
+
+            // Set user agent based on context
+            if (CreamInstaller.Platforms.Epic.EpicStore.EpicBool)
+            {
+                _httpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.UserAgent.Add(new("EpicGamesLauncher", "18.9.0-45233261+++Portal+Release-Live"));
+                CreamInstaller.Platforms.Epic.EpicStore.EpicBool = false;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                _httpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.UserAgent.Add(new(Program.Name, Program.Version));
+            }
+
+            _httpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.AcceptLanguage.Add(new(CultureInfo.CurrentCulture.ToString()));
         }
-        else
-        {
-            HttpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.UserAgent.Add(new(Program.Name, Program.Version));
-        }
-        HttpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.AcceptLanguage.Add(new(CultureInfo.CurrentCulture.ToString()));
     }
 
     internal static async Task<string> EnsureGet(string url)
@@ -52,16 +88,31 @@ internal static class HttpClientManager
             if (e.StatusCode != HttpStatusCode.TooManyRequests)
             {
 #if DEBUG
-                DebugForm.Current.Log("Get request failed to " + url + ": " + e, LogTextBox.Warning);
+                string statusInfo = e.StatusCode.HasValue ? $" (HTTP {(int)e.StatusCode.Value})" : "";
+                DebugForm.Current.Log($"Get request failed to {url}{statusInfo}: {e}", LogTextBox.Warning);
 #endif
                 return null;
             }
 #if DEBUG
-            DebugForm.Current.Log("Too many requests to " + url, LogTextBox.Error);
+            DebugForm.Current.Log($"Too many requests to {url} (HTTP 429 - Rate Limited)", LogTextBox.Error);
 #endif
             // do something special?
             return null;
         }
+        catch (TaskCanceledException)
+        {
+#if DEBUG
+            DebugForm.Current.Log("Get request timed out for " + url, LogTextBox.Warning);
+#endif
+            return null;
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+#if DEBUG
+            DebugForm.Current.Log("Get request was cancelled for " + url, LogTextBox.Warning);
+#endif
+            return null;
+        }
 #if DEBUG
         catch (Exception e)
         {
@@ -88,5 +139,37 @@ internal static class HttpClientManager
         }
     }
 
-    internal static void Dispose() => HttpClient?.Dispose();
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Creates a new HttpClient for isolated/one-off use cases.
+    /// The caller is responsible for disposing the returned client.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static HttpClient CreateIsolatedClient(TimeSpan? timeout = null)
+    {
+        var handler = new SocketsHttpHandler
+        {
+            PooledConnectionLifetime = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(2),
+            PooledConnectionIdleTimeout = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(1),
+            MaxConnectionsPerServer = 5
+        };
+
+        var client = new HttpClient(handler, disposeHandler: true)
+        {
+            Timeout = timeout ?? TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30)
+        };
+
+        client.DefaultRequestHeaders.UserAgent.ParseAdd($"{Program.Name}/{Program.Version}");
+        return client;
+    }
+
+    internal static void Dispose()
+    {
+        lock (_lock)
+        {
+            _httpClient?.Dispose();
+            _httpClient = null;
+
+            _handler?.Dispose();
+            _handler = null;
+        }
+    }
 }

CreamInstaller/Utility/ProgramData.cs

@@ -1,13 +1,47 @@
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Globalization;
+using System.IO;
 using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using System.Windows.Forms;
+using CreamInstaller;
 using Newtonsoft.Json;
 
 namespace CreamInstaller.Utility;
 
+internal enum InstalledUnlocker
+{
+    None = 0,
+    CreamAPI,
+    SmokeAPI,
+    ScreamAPI,
+    UplayR1,
+    UplayR2,
+    Koaloader
+}
+
+internal sealed class InstalledDlcRecord
+{
+    public string DlcType { get; set; }
+    public string Id { get; set; }
+    public string Name { get; set; }
+}
+
+internal sealed class InstalledGameRecord
+{
+    public Platform Platform { get; set; }
+    public string Id { get; set; }
+    public string Name { get; set; }
+    public string RootDirectory { get; set; }
+    public InstalledUnlocker Unlocker { get; set; }
+    public bool UseProxy { get; set; }
+    public string Proxy { get; set; }
+    public bool UseExtraProtection { get; set; }
+    public List<InstalledDlcRecord> Dlc { get; set; } = [];
+}
+
 internal static class ProgramData
 {
     private static readonly string DirectoryPathOld =
@@ -27,6 +61,40 @@ internal static class ProgramData
     private static readonly string ProgramChoicesPath = DirectoryPath + @"\choices.json";
     private static readonly string DlcChoicesPath = DirectoryPath + @"\dlc.json";
     private static readonly string KoaloaderProxyChoicesPath = DirectoryPath + @"\proxies.json";
+    private static readonly string ExtraProtectionChoicesPath = DirectoryPath + @"\extraprotection.json";
+    private static readonly string InstalledGamesPath = DirectoryPath + @"\installed.json";
+
+    internal static readonly string LogPath = DirectoryPath + @"\scan.log";
+
+    private static readonly object LogLock = new();
+
+    internal static void Log(string message)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            string timestamp = DateTime.UtcNow.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.fff", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);
+            string entry = $"[{timestamp}] {message}{Environment.NewLine}";
+            lock (LogLock)
+                File.AppendAllText(LogPath, entry, Encoding.UTF8);
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // ignored — logging must never crash the application
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal static void ClearLog()
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (File.Exists(LogPath))
+                File.Delete(LogPath);
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // ignored
+        }
+    }
 
     internal static async Task Setup(Form form = null)
         => await Task.Run(() =>
@@ -195,4 +263,85 @@ internal static class ProgramData
             // ignored
         }
     }
+
+    internal static IEnumerable<(Platform platform, string id)> ReadExtraProtectionChoices()
+    {
+        if (ExtraProtectionChoicesPath.FileExists())
+            try
+            {
+                if (JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(ExtraProtectionChoicesPath.ReadFile(),
+                        typeof(IEnumerable<(Platform platform, string id)>)) is
+                    IEnumerable<(Platform platform, string id)> choices)
+                    return choices;
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // ignored
+            }
+
+        return [];
+    }
+
+    internal static void WriteExtraProtectionChoices(IEnumerable<(Platform platform, string id)> choices)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (choices is null || !choices.Any())
+                ExtraProtectionChoicesPath.DeleteFile();
+            else
+                ExtraProtectionChoicesPath.WriteFile(JsonConvert.SerializeObject(choices));
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // ignored
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal static List<InstalledGameRecord> ReadInstalledGames()
+    {
+        if (InstalledGamesPath.FileExists())
+            try
+            {
+                if (JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<List<InstalledGameRecord>>(InstalledGamesPath.ReadFile()) is
+                    { } records)
+                    return records;
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // ignored
+            }
+
+        return [];
+    }
+
+    internal static void WriteInstalledGames(IEnumerable<InstalledGameRecord> records)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            List<InstalledGameRecord> list = records?.ToList() ?? [];
+            if (list.Count == 0)
+                InstalledGamesPath.DeleteFile();
+            else
+                InstalledGamesPath.WriteFile(JsonConvert.SerializeObject(list, Formatting.Indented));
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // ignored
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal static void UpsertInstalledGame(InstalledGameRecord record)
+    {
+        List<InstalledGameRecord> records = ReadInstalledGames();
+        _ = records.RemoveAll(r => r.Platform == record.Platform && r.Id == record.Id);
+        records.Add(record);
+        WriteInstalledGames(records);
+    }
+
+    internal static void RemoveInstalledGame(Platform platform, string id)
+    {
+        List<InstalledGameRecord> records = ReadInstalledGames();
+        if (records.RemoveAll(r => r.Platform == platform && r.Id == id) > 0)
+            WriteInstalledGames(records);
+    }
 }

CreamInstaller/Utility/ThemeManager.cs

@@ -31,6 +31,17 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
     private static readonly Color DarkComboBorder = DarkBorder; // #3F3F46
     private static readonly Color DarkComboText = DarkFore; // #D4D4D4
 
+    // Badge colors for unlockers
+    private static readonly Color CreamAPIBadgeBack = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#C8A078"); // Creamy latte
+    private static readonly Color CreamAPIBadgeBackHighlight = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#B48C64");
+    private static readonly Color CreamAPIBadgeBorder = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#DCB48C");
+    private static readonly Color SmokeAPIBadgeBack = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#69696E"); // Smoky grey
+    private static readonly Color SmokeAPIBadgeBackHighlight = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#5A5A5F");
+    private static readonly Color SmokeAPIBadgeBorder = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#8C8C91");
+    private static readonly Color DefaultBadgeBack = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#008C46"); // Default green
+    private static readonly Color DefaultBadgeBackHighlight = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#00783C");
+    private static readonly Color DefaultBadgeBorder = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#00B45A");
+
     // ----------------------------
     // Light mode colors (system defaults)
     // ----------------------------
@@ -43,7 +54,7 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
     private static readonly Color LightPlatform = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#696900");
     private static readonly Color LightId = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#006969");
     private static readonly Color LightProxy = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#006900");
-    private static readonly Color LightSelectionBack = SystemColors.Highlight;
+    private static readonly Color LightSelectionBack = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#ADD6FF");
     private static readonly Color LightComboBack = SystemColors.Control;
     private static readonly Color LightComboBorder = SystemColors.ControlDark;
     private static readonly Color LightComboText = SystemColors.ControlText;
@@ -76,6 +87,17 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
 
     internal static Color CustomTreeViewComboTextColor => IsDark ? DarkComboText : LightComboText;
 
+    // Badge colors for unlockers
+    internal static Color CreamAPIBadgeBackgroundColor => CreamAPIBadgeBack;
+    internal static Color CreamAPIBadgeBackgroundHighlightColor => CreamAPIBadgeBackHighlight;
+    internal static Color CreamAPIBadgeBorderColor => CreamAPIBadgeBorder;
+    internal static Color SmokeAPIBadgeBackgroundColor => SmokeAPIBadgeBack;
+    internal static Color SmokeAPIBadgeBackgroundHighlightColor => SmokeAPIBadgeBackHighlight;
+    internal static Color SmokeAPIBadgeBorderColor => SmokeAPIBadgeBorder;
+    internal static Color DefaultBadgeBackgroundColor => DefaultBadgeBack;
+    internal static Color DefaultBadgeBackgroundHighlightColor => DefaultBadgeBackHighlight;
+    internal static Color DefaultBadgeBorderColor => DefaultBadgeBorder;
+
     // -----------------------------------------------------------------
     // Public / Internal API
     // -----------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -180,9 +202,9 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
                 ll.VisitedLinkColor = DarkLink;
                 break;
 
-            // Labels: dark background, light foreground
+            // Labels: transparent so they blend with whatever container they sit in
             case Label lbl:
-                lbl.BackColor = DarkBack;
+                lbl.BackColor = Color.Transparent;
                 lbl.ForeColor = DarkFore;
                 break;
 
@@ -206,6 +228,20 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
                 rtb.ForeColor = DarkFore;
                 break;
 
+            // ListBox follows alternate dark background
+            case ListBox lb:
+                lb.BackColor = DarkBackAlt;
+                lb.ForeColor = DarkFore;
+                break;
+
+            // TextBox follows alternate dark background
+            case TextBox tb:
+                tb.BackColor = DarkBackAlt;
+                tb.ForeColor = DarkFore;
+                tb.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.FixedSingle;
+                NativeMethods.RefreshCueBanner(tb);
+                break;
+
             // Layout panels set a consistent background
             case TableLayoutPanel tlp:
                 tlp.BackColor = DarkBack;
@@ -241,7 +277,7 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
                 ll.VisitedLinkColor = SystemColors.HotTrack;
                 break;
             case Label lbl:
-                lbl.BackColor = LightBack;
+                lbl.BackColor = Color.Transparent;
                 lbl.ForeColor = LightFore;
                 break;
             case ProgressBar pb:
@@ -258,6 +294,16 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
                 rtb.BackColor = LightBack;
                 rtb.ForeColor = LightFore;
                 break;
+            case ListBox lb:
+                lb.BackColor = LightBackAlt;
+                lb.ForeColor = LightFore;
+                break;
+            case TextBox tb:
+                tb.BackColor = LightBackAlt;
+                tb.ForeColor = LightFore;
+                tb.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.Fixed3D;
+                NativeMethods.RefreshCueBanner(tb);
+                break;
             case TableLayoutPanel tlp:
                 tlp.BackColor = LightBack;
                 break;
@@ -408,6 +454,96 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
     // button is centralized here so theming resides in ThemeManager.
     // -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
+    // Dark checkbox colors – matched to how the system renders the "All" CheckBox control
+    // in dark mode: dark fill, mid-gray border, light foreground tick.
+    private static readonly Color DarkCbBorder = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#6B6B6B");
+    private static readonly Color DarkCbDisabledBorder = ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#454545");
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Draws a checkbox glyph in pure GDI that matches the appearance of a dark-themed
+    /// WinForms CheckBox control (same background, border, tick colors, and rounded corners).
+    /// Use this in owner-draw contexts where CheckBoxRenderer always paints a white background.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static void DrawDarkCheckBox(Graphics g, Point point, Size glyphSize, bool isChecked, bool enabled = true)
+    {
+        if (g is null) return;
+        int w = glyphSize.Width;
+        int h = glyphSize.Height;
+        Rectangle box = new(point.X, point.Y, w - 1, h - 1);
+        int radius = Math.Max(2, w / 5);
+
+        using System.Drawing.Drawing2D.GraphicsPath path = RoundedRect(box, radius);
+
+        g.SmoothingMode = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.SmoothingMode.AntiAlias;
+
+        if (isChecked && enabled)
+        {
+            // Checked + enabled: accent fill, no border, white tick — matches Windows 11 dark CheckBox
+            using SolidBrush fillBrush = new(Accent);
+            g.FillPath(fillBrush, path);
+
+            using Pen tickPen = new(Color.White, 1.7f)
+            {
+                StartCap = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LineCap.Round,
+                EndCap = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LineCap.Round,
+                LineJoin = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LineJoin.Round,
+            };
+            float scaleX = w / 13f;
+            float scaleY = h / 13f;
+            g.DrawLines(tickPen, new PointF[]
+            {
+                new(point.X + 2 * scaleX, point.Y + 6 * scaleY),
+                new(point.X + 5 * scaleX, point.Y + 9 * scaleY),
+                new(point.X + 10 * scaleX, point.Y + 3 * scaleY),
+            });
+        }
+        else if (isChecked)
+        {
+            // Checked + disabled: dimmed accent fill, dimmed tick
+            Color dimAccent = Color.FromArgb(120, Accent);
+            using SolidBrush fillBrush = new(dimAccent);
+            g.FillPath(fillBrush, path);
+
+            using Pen tickPen = new(DarkForeDim, 1.7f)
+            {
+                StartCap = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LineCap.Round,
+                EndCap = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LineCap.Round,
+                LineJoin = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LineJoin.Round,
+            };
+            float scaleX = w / 13f;
+            float scaleY = h / 13f;
+            g.DrawLines(tickPen, new PointF[]
+            {
+                new(point.X + 2 * scaleX, point.Y + 6 * scaleY),
+                new(point.X + 5 * scaleX, point.Y + 9 * scaleY),
+                new(point.X + 10 * scaleX, point.Y + 3 * scaleY),
+            });
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            // Unchecked: dark fill, gray border, no tick
+            using SolidBrush fillBrush = new(DarkBackAlt);
+            g.FillPath(fillBrush, path);
+
+            using Pen borderPen = new(enabled ? DarkCbBorder : DarkCbDisabledBorder);
+            g.DrawPath(borderPen, path);
+        }
+
+        g.SmoothingMode = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.SmoothingMode.Default;
+    }
+
+    private static System.Drawing.Drawing2D.GraphicsPath RoundedRect(Rectangle r, int radius)
+    {
+        int d = radius * 2;
+        System.Drawing.Drawing2D.GraphicsPath path = new();
+        path.AddArc(r.Left, r.Top, d, d, 180, 90);
+        path.AddArc(r.Right - d, r.Top, d, d, 270, 90);
+        path.AddArc(r.Right - d, r.Bottom - d, d, d, 0, 90);
+        path.AddArc(r.Left, r.Bottom - d, d, d, 90, 90);
+        path.CloseFigure();
+        return path;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Draws the themed combobox area (background, border and text) used in CustomTreeView.
     /// This centralizes colors and rendering for light/dark modes.
@@ -450,15 +586,54 @@ internal static class ThemeManager
     }
 }
 
+/// <summary>
+/// Wraps Win32 API calls that have no managed equivalent in WinForms.
+/// These P/Invoke declarations are required because .NET does not expose
+/// the underlying Windows messages or DWM attributes through its own APIs.
+/// </summary>
 internal static class NativeMethods
 {
+    // DWM attribute index for enabling/disabling the immersive dark title bar.
+    // Documented in dwmapi.h; value 20 corresponds to DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE
+    // (Windows 10 build 19041+ / Windows 11).
     private const int DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE = 20;
 
+    // DwmSetWindowAttribute allows setting per-window Desktop Window Manager attributes.
+    // We use it here to flip the title bar to dark or light depending on the active theme,
+    // since WinForms has no built-in API to control title bar coloring.
     [System.Runtime.InteropServices.DllImport("dwmapi.dll")]
     private static extern int DwmSetWindowAttribute(System.IntPtr hwnd, int attr, ref int attrValue, int attrSize);
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Toggles the dark/light title bar chrome for the given window handle.
+    /// Pass <c>1</c> for dark mode, <c>0</c> for light mode.
+    /// </summary>
     internal static void EnableDarkTitleBar(System.IntPtr handle, int useDark)
     {
         _ = DwmSetWindowAttribute(handle, DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE, ref useDark, sizeof(int));
     }
+
+    // Win32 Edit control message that sets or updates the cue (placeholder) banner text.
+    // WinForms sets PlaceholderText once at creation time via this same message internally,
+    // but does not re-send it when the control's colors change.  When we restyle a TextBox
+    // for dark/light mode the cue banner can disappear, so we must re-send the message
+    // manually to make the placeholder visible again.
+    private const int EM_SETCUEBANNER = 0x1501;
+
+    // SendMessage is the standard Win32 mechanism for posting messages directly to a
+    // window/control handle.  We use the Unicode variant so the placeholder string is
+    // transmitted without any ANSI conversion.
+    [System.Runtime.InteropServices.DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = System.Runtime.InteropServices.CharSet.Unicode)]
+    private static extern System.IntPtr SendMessage(System.IntPtr hWnd, int msg, System.IntPtr wParam, string lParam);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Re-sends <c>EM_SETCUEBANNER</c> to the given TextBox so its placeholder text
+    /// is redrawn after a theme change has altered the control's background or foreground colors.
+    /// Does nothing if the control handle has not yet been created or the placeholder is empty.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static void RefreshCueBanner(System.Windows.Forms.TextBox textBox)
+    {
+        if (textBox?.IsHandleCreated == true && textBox.PlaceholderText is { Length: > 0 })
+            SendMessage(textBox.Handle, EM_SETCUEBANNER, (System.IntPtr)1, textBox.PlaceholderText);
+    }
 }