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How To Change The Windows Xp Shell. | ||
Discussion by dontmaimyourself with 29 Replies.
Last Update: May 6, 2011, 6:34 pm ( View Rated (5) ) | |||
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The term shell reffers to the graphical user interface (gui) i.e the desktop and the task bar, basically explorer.exe (the default windows shell).
Where can I find a replacment shell?
The best place to start is with some shell information sites, I would recommend Shell-Shocked,
Try these:
Litestep
Xoblite (Blackbox)
Geoshell
I would personally recommend Litestep.
now you have a shell heres how to manually set the default shell in windows xp
Changing the default shell (all users):
1) open regedit (start menu > run, and type in regedit)
2) go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
3) Change Shell from explorer.exe to the new shell path e.g C:\Litestep\litestep.exe
4) log out and log back in.
Changing the default shell (only current user):
1) open regedit (start menu > run, and type in regedit).
2) go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
3) add a new string value (Edit > New > String Value) called shell. and set the value to the path of the new shell e.g C:\Litestep\litestep.exe.
4) log out and log back in.
QUOTE (fsastraps)
Just one question: Why do you have the title as How To Change The Windows Xp Shell. and then you have the path in the regedit as: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon? I just think this might confuse some people just have HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinXP or whatever it is, i didnt look it up.The path is set to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
because that is the correct path to the shell value in windows xp.
Personally, I don't use replacement shells, because (as CrashCore said) they are usually instable. Of course, for all those newbies out there that aren't happy with the default look of Windows XP should definitely try Stardock's WindowsBlinds (www.windowblinds.net), and eventually use it together with ObjectDesktop, if they want extra stylish menus.
Using mstsc.exe & additional command line options in the shell value is fine & using a restricted user to auto admin logon to the domain to fire this off is fine too. The user is only able to log on to the terminal server without running any other apps locally BUT when they end the RDP session the PC just sits there with a clear background - the user needs to ctrl-alt-del & reboot to get back to a logon prompt.
I have tried the restart shell registry value too but this has no effect.
Anybody got any other ideas how this can be achieved?
Thanks
Eddie
If these speed it up any, though, that would be nice.
Also, are there any for Windows ME? That's the thew old computer in question now is running, just would be fun maybe.
this will help me personally add customisations to my pc without any 3rd party software
Also i highly doubt a restore will fix it either so just to give a fair warning.
I think it has something to do with how the .exe has to be run from its own folder as it tries to look for its other files.
is there a switch that I can put it in registry so that when I call out that .exe file it will know to start in its folder?
I've tried to do set path in autoexec.bat and it doesn't work
the only way I've found so far is for me to have shell call out a batch file and in that batch file it calls out a shortcut link which points to the actual program.
the problem and ugly side of this is that when shell tries to run the program... a dos prompt comes up.. undedesirable but that is all I can do for now...
HELP OR SUGGESTOINS please?!? thanks.
evo
thanks sooo much for this - it worked like a charm!
Held off uninstalling Aston Shell for months because of all the warnings. Decided today was the day. Spent hours trying to restore Win desktop and taskbar.
All fixed now. Thanks again.
-A NON
How To Change The Windows Xp Shell.
I've put W2k explorer and it's needed W2k dlls
Together in a seperate dir.
Next reboot we'll see...
-reply by Ubbe
How To Change The Windows Xp Shell.
Replying to Trap FeedBacker
You could just run the *.Bat file as minimized
And you shouldn't see it when it's ran.
Right click the *.Bat file and goto properties
Then goto 4th field, "RUN:" and select Minimized and then apply it.
You should be able to do this for the *.Bat file or any shortcut itself.
-reply by HelperDude
How To Change The Windows Xp Shell.
Alright, I'm working on creating a "safe" environment for a lil' kid. Using the instructions above, I successfully changed the shell to a cute little kid's learning program so that when he clicks on his non-password protected user icon (all other accouts require user authentication) his program comes as the shell and he can't (theoretically) tear up anything on the system. But, when I hit "Exit" on the program, the system goes to a blank desktop and that's it. How do I get windows to logoff when the shell program is closed?
-reply by Brad
if you press ctrl-alt-delete it will bring up the task manager, and from there you can log out. not really kid friendly though :(
-reply by frantik
i really wanted to change that boring desktop and start menu it helped me alot and will help others tooo...
BUt be carefull don't try until u knw what you are doing ..
I used litestep a while ago and was looking to get it setup on my new computer.
Thanks for the tips up
Hi All,
I want to bypass the login ui screen in windows xp using my service. I do not want to replace the Gina. Is there any other way by which I can unlock or login to windows (autologin) by passing in the credentials through my dervice. I searched google a lot but the only option that I found out was of Gina.
There are winlogon notification packages but they only generate event. How to pass the credentials to that login ui box and login into windows?
I saw Logmein (a remote controlling software) using auto logon feature
Please help
-question by Nipun
iGuest: You can configure XP to autologon in the Registry.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon
- Set the value of DefaultUserName to the user name you want to use
- Set DefaultPassword to the password
- Set ForceAutoLogon to 1
If any of the values don't exist, create them as Reg_SZ or String Values
If you to a google seaarch for "xp autologon" the very first entry will give you a link to these instructions: http://support.Microsoft.Com/kb/315231
Note that your logon password will be in plain text in the registry where anyone can see it (even remote users on the network). This is a really bad idea if the password is for an administrative account.
-reply by Korin
Hello, I have Windows 7 and I want to change the welcome screen login picture. I have put the OEMbackground REG_DWORD Value:1 Base:Hexidecimal and have placed a .Jpg image in C:Windows/System32/oobe/info/backgrounds; but have not had any success. I have also tried a .Bmp image and .Png image(different and same pictures on all 3). Also there is a "(Default) REG_SZ, value not set". I have also tried the automatic program made and have had no luck. Please help!
-reply by Fletch
I WANT TO TO CREATE MY OWN XP CD, I WANT TO INSTALL ANITIVIRUS AND SOME PROGRAMS AUTOMATICALLY WHILE INSTALLING XP. PLEASE CAN ANY ONE TELL ME THEE PROCEDURE TO CHANGE THE XP,
QUOTE (NeXDesigns)
there is a more stable and more widely skinnable way of doing this aswell, it is located at www.wincustomize.com, they have skins for the windows logon, the boot screen, the shell, and a whole lot more, most of the programs are free and the ones that arent usually can be used too, just less featured, i am using logonstudio, bootskin, and windowblinds right now on all my computers.
Link: view Post: 131511
Windowsblinds slows down your computer significantly, and almost everthing on www.wincustomize.com contains virus gens. I get really tired of seeing people advertise things that have only one purpose, ruin your computer. This is the reason why people choose to do it themselves to try to avoid these pit falls.
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