Can you disable Windows Explorer from starting with Windows?
I would like to disable Windows Explorer from starting up. Mainly because I want to attempt working only out of the Task Manager using the Run dialog.
I am aware you're not supposed to, but I am curious if it's possible or not.
Solution 1:
If you're running Windows XP/Vista/7:
- Open the start menu.
- Type "regedit" (without the
"
) and hit enter (UAC might come up). - Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → Software → Microsoft → Windows NT → CurrentVersion → Winlogon.
- Change the value of "Shell" to the .exe you want to use.
Reference: http://windows7themes.net/how-to-replace-explorer-exe-in-windows-7.html
For Windows 9x:
- Open C:\windows\system.ini with the editor.
- Replace the Shell=explorer.exe line with Shell=your.exe.
Reference: http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/trench/3458.html
You can set taskmgr.exe to be your shell.
Solution 2:
It is possible, yes. Though as you state, not ideal. Without the main explorer.exe running, you will not have a desktop/window manager unless you start or are running another one.
However, for Windows XP the steps to disable explorer on startup should be:
Go to Start -> Run -> Type in regedit
and press enter.
Navigate to the following tree structure: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows NT -> CurrentVersion -> Winlogon
Change the value of the Shell
key to blank, or another program to start instead of explorer.exe