ImageGlass 9.6.x fails to start on Windows 11 25H2 when Smart App Control (WDAC) is enabled

Windows OS version

Windows 11 25H2

ImageGlass version

9.6.1.807

ImageGlass release

Classic

1️⃣ Steps to reproduce

1. Install ImageGlass 9.6.1.807 on Windows 11 25H2.
2. Ensure Smart App Control is enabled.
3. Launch ImageGlass.
4. The application immediately fails during startup with FileLoadException.

2️⃣ Actual behavior

ImageGlass does not start.

Startup fails with:

System.IO.FileLoadException

Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.Extensions.Primitives.dll'

An Application Control policy has blocked this file. (0x800711C7)

Windows Code Integrity logs Event ID 3077 indicating that loading Microsoft.Extensions.Primitives.dll does not meet the Enterprise signing level requirements or violates the active code integrity policy.

3️⃣ Expected behavior

ImageGlass should start normally on Windows 11 25H2 with Smart App Control enabled, as ImageGlass 9.5.0.515 does on the same machine.

4️⃣ Screenshots / Video / Sample image file

No response

5️⃣ Additional context

Additional findings:

• ImageGlass 9.5.0.515 works correctly on the same machine.
• ImageGlass.exe has a valid Authenticode signature (Sectigo).
• Windows Code Integrity logs Event ID 3077.
• Policy ID: {0283AC0F-FFF1-49AE-ADA1-8A933130CAD6}
• The blocked file is Microsoft.Extensions.Primitives.dll.
• The issue occurs only with ImageGlass 9.6.x.