Hi mctl87, thanks for the report.
1. Did you install Minion under program files? If so we currently have an issue with windows UAC when Minion wants to update it self. Install Minion in the default location or any place other than program files and windows UAC wont block the update. We are working on a fix for this.
2. Are you using the EU server on ESO? Also looking at your Minion.xml it looks like it may have a problem with a character in your user folder. We are working on a fix for that. If you want to change your windows username and userfolder and delete the minion.xml this might fix the issue you are having until we can get a patch out to fix the problems here.
3. Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into why that is happening and get it fixed. It may be fixed with our addon detection overhaul though coming out soon.
Again thanks for all the information and we will use this to fix Minion and make it better.