Implement a User Based Custom Shell (Windows 2000/XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Implement a User Based Custom Shell (Windows 2000/XP)
Category: Home > Security

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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Windows allows you to selectively specify the system shell based on the logged in user. For example this allows one user to use the standard explorer interface and another to use the legacy progman shell.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new String value, or modify the existing value called 'Shell' using the settings below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
Shell	REG_SZ	progman.exe


	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Settings:

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System]
Name: Shell
Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value: Filename of Replacement Shell

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: March 21, 2002

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