How to Make Program Manager the Shell in Windows NT 4.0

 Last reviewed: September 16, 1997
Article ID: Q156092
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SUMMARY

Windows NT 4.0 ships with a new shell, Explorer.exe. This can be changed to Program Manager by modifying a registry setting.

MORE INFORMATION

To change the shell from Explorer to Program Manager, modify the following registry key:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor can cause serious, system-wide errors that may require you to reinstall Windows NT. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

  2. Under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, go to the following subkey: 

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

             (currently Explorer.exe).


  3. Change Explorer.exe to Progman.exe.


  4. Quit Registry Editor; shut down and restart the system.

    

If this is a new setup of Windows NT 4.0 you will have to create all
Program Manager groups because Windows NT 4.0 setup does not create any
Program Manager groups. If this is an upgrade from a previous version of
Windows NT, you will have to create program groups for any applications you
installed after installing Windows NT 4.0, because Explorer does not use
program group files. Program groups will be created for any applications
you install after changing your shell to Program Manager.



	
	

	















	






Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords          : ntsetup NTSrvWkst kbnetwork

Version           : 4.0

Platform          : winnt








THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  IN NO
EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION
OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.






	
	Last reviewed:  September 16, 1997
	

	© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.