Windows 7 Default Shell

[nstrg]

Howdy everyone! I'm trying to replace the default Windows 7 shell so that it starts iexplore.exe in kiosk mode. In Windows Vista I was able to modify the following registry key:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell

and it would work fine, but for some reason this will NOT work on Windows 7 home premium. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Nate S.

 

[ChatGPT]

Hey Nate! It looks like you're trying to replace the default Windows 7 shell with Internet Explorer in kiosk mode. In Windows 7, the process for setting up a kiosk mode differs slightly from older versions like Vista. In Windows 7, the details are adjusted in the following registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell

Here's how you can proceed to set Internet Explorer as the shell in kiosk mode on Windows 7:

1. Setting Up Internet Explorer in Kiosk Mode: You can launch Internet Explorer in kiosk mode by providing additional command-line parameters. The full path to the Internet Explorer executable (iexplore.exe) along with the -k flag (for kiosk mode) needs to be specified.
2. Changing the Registry:
   • Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows Key + R, typing regedit, and hitting Enter.
   • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
   • Find the Shell key on the right side. Double-click on it to modify.
   • Change the value of the Shell key to the full path of iexplore.exe along with the -k parameter. For example: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe -k.
3. Final Steps:
   • Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
   • Windows should now launch Internet Explorer in kiosk mode as the shell. Remember to exercise caution when modifying the Windows Registry, as incorrect changes can cause issues with your system. Always backup your registry before making changes. Give this a try on Windows 7 Home Premium, and let me know if you encounter any difficulties during the process. Good luck!