Chrome cookies deleted after using DDU in Safe Mode

[Wagnard]

Test 1 — msconfig → Safe boot Minimal and with networking → reboot into Safe Mode → open Chrome once → msconfig back to Normal → reboot → check cookies and extensions. Do not run DDU.

Test 2 — exactly the same, but do not open Chrome while in Safe Mode.

If test 1 wipes and test 2 doesn't, the trigger is Chrome being launched in Safe Mode.

That would also match the extensions: Losing both at once is Chrome resetting its own profile, most likely because GoogleChromeElevationService doesn't start in Safe Mode and Chrome can't unwrap its cookie encryption key.

Minimal vs "with networking" probably won't change anything — that service isn't started in either — but it's a free third data point if you want it.

It's a long shot but I suspect that adding 'GoogleChromeElevationService into SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal and Network may fix it. I could be wrong tho.

[tharealgc]

Test 1 — msconfig → Safe boot Minimal and with networking → reboot into Safe Mode → open Chrome once → msconfig back to Normal → reboot → check cookies and extensions. Do not run DDU.

Test 2 — exactly the same, but do not open Chrome while in Safe Mode.

If test 1 wipes and test 2 doesn't, the trigger is Chrome being launched in Safe Mode.

That would also match the extensions: Losing both at once is Chrome resetting its own profile, most likely because GoogleChromeElevationService doesn't start in Safe Mode and Chrome can't unwrap its cookie encryption key.

Minimal vs "with networking" probably won't change anything — that service isn't started in either — but it's a free third data point if you want it.

It's a long shot but I suspect that adding 'GoogleChromeElevationService into SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal and Network may fix it. I could be wrong tho.

I dont touch Chrome when im in safe mode either way, I only go there for DDU.

But yes, I tested...

Using "msconfig" to boot into safe mode (minimal), does reproduce cookie wipe.
Using Recovery Mode to enter SafeMode (Option 4), keeps cookies intact and safe.

Just to confirm - I did not even touch DDU during this test.

What is a bit strange is that Option 4 in recovery is essentially Minimal mode, but it for some reason does not mess with Chrome cookies.

I will just use Recovery Mode from now on, as I dont take pleasure reinstalling all my extensions and relogging everywhere lmao
I might test adding "GoogleChromeElevationService into SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal and Network" as you suggested at some point.

For now it's just simpler for me to use "shutdown /r /o /t 0" to enter recovery and reboot to safemode from there.

[Wagnard]

Test 1 — msconfig → Safe boot Minimal and with networking → reboot into Safe Mode → open Chrome once → msconfig back to Normal → reboot → check cookies and extensions. Do not run DDU.

Test 2 — exactly the same, but do not open Chrome while in Safe Mode.

If test 1 wipes and test 2 doesn't, the trigger is Chrome being launched in Safe Mode.

That would also match the extensions: Losing both at once is Chrome resetting its own profile, most likely because GoogleChromeElevationService doesn't start in Safe Mode and Chrome can't unwrap its cookie encryption key.

Minimal vs "with networking" probably won't change anything — that service isn't started in either — but it's a free third data point if you want it.

It's a long shot but I suspect that adding 'GoogleChromeElevationService into SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal and Network may fix it. I could be wrong tho.

I dont touch Chrome when im in safe mode either way, I only go there for DDU.

But yes, I tested...

Using "msconfig" to boot into safe mode (minimal), does reproduce cookie wipe.
Using Recovery Mode to enter SafeMode (Option 4), keeps cookies intact and safe.

Just to confirm - I did not even touch DDU during this test.

What is a bit strange is that Option 4 in recovery is essentially Minimal mode, but it for some reason does not mess with Chrome cookies.

I will just use Recovery Mode from now on, as I dont take pleasure reinstalling all my extensions and relogging everywhere lmao
I might test adding "GoogleChromeElevationService into SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal and Network" as you suggested at some point.

For now it's just simpler for me to use "shutdown /r /o /t 0" to enter recovery and reboot to safemode from there.

No need to touch chrome sometime. it will try some auto update and stuff like that.

I'll do more digging around with the 'recovery mode'

Have you ever verified with DDU own safe mode method if it happened ? You can activate the option within the DDU options.

[tharealgc]

No I have not tested DDUs own Safe Mode option yet.
Ill try to test it next time maybe.
For now I had enough relogging and reinstalling my extensions.

[tharealgc]

Test 1 — msconfig → Safe boot Minimal and with networking → reboot into Safe Mode → open Chrome once → msconfig back to Normal → reboot → check cookies and extensions. Do not run DDU.

Test 2 — exactly the same, but do not open Chrome while in Safe Mode.

If test 1 wipes and test 2 doesn't, the trigger is Chrome being launched in Safe Mode.

That would also match the extensions: Losing both at once is Chrome resetting its own profile, most likely because GoogleChromeElevationService doesn't start in Safe Mode and Chrome can't unwrap its cookie encryption key.

Minimal vs "with networking" probably won't change anything — that service isn't started in either — but it's a free third data point if you want it.

It's a long shot but I suspect that adding 'GoogleChromeElevationService into SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal and Network may fix it. I could be wrong tho.

I dont touch Chrome when im in safe mode either way, I only go there for DDU.

But yes, I tested...

Using "msconfig" to boot into safe mode (minimal), does reproduce cookie wipe.
Using Recovery Mode to enter SafeMode (Option 4), keeps cookies intact and safe.

Just to confirm - I did not even touch DDU during this test.

What is a bit strange is that Option 4 in recovery is essentially Minimal mode, but it for some reason does not mess with Chrome cookies.

I will just use Recovery Mode from now on, as I dont take pleasure reinstalling all my extensions and relogging everywhere lmao
I might test adding "GoogleChromeElevationService into SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal and Network" as you suggested at some point.

For now it's just simpler for me to use "shutdown /r /o /t 0" to enter recovery and reboot to safemode from there.

No need to touch chrome sometime. it will try some auto update and stuff like that.

I'll do more digging around with the 'recovery mode'

Have you ever verified with DDU own safe mode method if it happened ? You can activate the option within the DDU options.

Happy to report that built in "DDU own safe mode method" keeps cookies intact and saved.
What are you using to achieve it?