How do I change the Windows Shell for only one User?

shell windows-registry

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All you have to do is restart the computer after changing the shell value in HKCU.

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Mark Kramer

I'm a 23 year old professional currently searching for a job in the field of IT or Web Development. I recently applied a lot of what I learned here to making this: DataTypeCalculator

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Mark Kramer over 1 year

I tried using the tutorial listed here and it should have worked, but it didn't. I checked my spelling, my registry paths, and my values three times, and I followed every step correctly but it didn't work. For some reason it's still going to the key located in HKLM (Local Machine) instead of HKCU (Current User) even though I changed the shell value located in Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\system.ini\bootto USR:Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

It doesn't make any sense why it isn't working.

Note: I'm trying to remove the shell completely for one user on the computer but no one else. Also, I did make sure I was logged onto the right user when I changed the shell value in HKCU.

I'm using Windows XP SP3
- JdeBP over 12 years
  
  So … are you using Windows NT version 4?
- Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 over 12 years
  
  Since that article is from 1998, and it's about Windows NT v4, are you sure it still works under newer Windows versions? What version of Windows are you trying to apply this to? What do you mean by "It doesn't work"? What does it do when you change those settings? What did you set your HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon to?
- Mark Kramer over 12 years
  
  I'm using Windows XP SP3 and I can't find a newer article
- Mark Kramer over 12 years
  
  Besides, look at knowledgesutra.com/discuss/ttomsl-change-windows-shell.om, this one was written for XP and it uses the same Key
- MaQleod over 12 years
  
  What shell are you trying to use? What is your ultimate goal? If you just don't want the explorer interface there are plenty of options, like geoshell, sharpe, Aston, litestep, etc. If you want to use something other than cmd.exe, you can try Tccle and console2. Please be more specific with what you want.
- MaQleod over 12 years
  
  I found this link for windows XP, though I have never tried this myself, maybe it will help: digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/… --- I also found this method as well: serverfault.com/questions/18879/…