Use an Alternative User Interface (Windows NT/2000)

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

Use an Alternative User Interface (Windows NT/2000)
Category: Home > Windows > System

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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This setting allows you to specify an alternate shell to use as the Windows user interface instead of the default explorer 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	explorer.exe


	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Settings:

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
Name: Shell
Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value: Filename of Replacement Shell

Related Tweaks

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

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: May 20, 2001

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