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Killing explorer.exe to hide Start menu and Task bar RRS feed

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    I'm not a big fan of killing processes for no reason.  I asssume it can lead to system instability.

    I'm faced with a GPO situation where I want everything but a single application to be removed from the Desktop when a user logs in.  Once that app is close, the session logs off.

    I have most of it working, except for being able to get rid of the Start menu (and button) and Task bar.

    Is killing explorer.exe a "good idea" as a solution?

    Friday, August 19, 2011 12:53 AM

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    I don't think that killing the explorer.exe would be great. Does the application work if the explorer.exe is "killed" ? (browsing ability)

    If you change in the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon the string defined Shell (explorer.exe) with the one of the application you want to start, at next startup you might be able to  obtain what you want. I did not test it, but maybe you'll give it a try.

     

    " Never panic before reboot ! "

     


    Friday, August 19, 2011 1:11 AM

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    I don't think that killing the explorer.exe would be great. Does the application work if the explorer.exe is "killed" ? (browsing ability)

    If you change in the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon the string defined Shell (explorer.exe) with the one of the application you want to start, at next startup you might be able to  obtain what you want. I did not test it, but maybe you'll give it a try.

     

    " Never panic before reboot ! "

     


    Friday, August 19, 2011 1:11 AM
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    Good point.  The app has browse functions, but maybe it's OK for me to disable them in this case.
    Friday, August 19, 2011 1:15 AM
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    And even better, you may replace explorer.exe in the shell string from above with cmd.exe and in someway try to start the application from there. I don't know, I am giving you only some ideas. Nothing is tested, I only know that if you do the change, the command prompt window appear after a restart.
    " Never panic before reboot ! "

    Friday, August 19, 2011 1:21 AM
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    I don't think that killing the explorer.exe would be great. Does the application work if the explorer.exe is "killed" ? (browsing ability)

    If you change in the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon the string defined Shell (explorer.exe) with the one of the application you want to start, at next startup you might be able to  obtain what you want. I did not test it, but maybe you'll give it a try.

     

    " Never panic before reboot ! "

     


    I've actually tested that with IE and it works beautifully.  You can add in some GPOs to lock it down even more.
    If you found this post helpful, please give it a "Helpful" vote. If it answered your question, remember to mark it as an "Answer".

    Rich Prescott | MCITP, MCTS, MCP

    Blog | Twitter: @Arposh | Powershell Client System Administration tool
    Friday, August 19, 2011 1:42 AM
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    Hi,

     

    I would like to confirm what is the current situation? If there is anything that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to let me know, and I will be happy to help.

     

    Regards,

     

    Arthur Li

    Forum Support
    Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact     tnmff@microsoft.com.

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    Monday, August 22, 2011 9:43 AM
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    I don't think that killing the explorer.exe would be great. Does the application work if the explorer.exe is "killed" ? (browsing ability)

    If you change in the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon the string defined Shell (explorer.exe) with the one of the application you want to start, at next startup you might be able to  obtain what you want. I did not test it, but maybe you'll give it a try.

     

    " Never panic before reboot ! "

     



    I'm marking this as the answer, but it doesn't meet my specific requirements.  I need to have multiple "profiles" so cannot do a global replace on the registry key because other terminal server users will also need to have the regular shell start.
    Monday, August 22, 2011 3:20 PM
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    Marco,

    You didn't specify the TS environment. Maybe this is gonna fit your needs : http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Windows-Terminal-Services-Run-Single-Application.html

    " Never panic before reboot ! "
    Monday, August 22, 2011 3:32 PM