Changing the Shell Startup Behavior in Thin Client

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Windows Mobile Not SupportedWindows Embedded CE Supported

8/27/2008

At startup time, the type of thin client shell determines how a user connects to a server.

By default, a Windows Embedded CE powered thin client that includes the Windows Thin Client Shell provides a default connection in the Terminal Connection Manager dialog box. When the user selects this default connection, the CETSC user interface (UI) appears, prompting the user for a server to connect to every time that the thin client is turned on, and enabling the user to configure the connection.

If you want to change how a thin client user connects to a server, implement one of the options in the following table.

Shell with its connection setting Description

Windows Thin Client Shell with no Setup wizard

At startup time, a default connection is automatically provided. This default connection is located in the Terminal Connection Manager dialog box. The Thin Client Setup Wizard is not displayed to the user.

When a user selects the default connection, the Windows Embedded CE Terminal Services Client (CETSC) user interface appears, prompting the user for a server to connect to and enabling the user to configure the connection. When the user provides the information and clicks Connect, a dialog box appears prompting the user for their logon credentials. If the connection is configured to connect to a specified server, and if user selects Remember my password, then the next time that the user selects this connection, it automatically starts to connect to the server with the saved credentials.

This is the default setting in the Windows Thin Client OS design. If you prefer this connection setting, no changes are necessary.

Windows Thin Client Shell with the Setup wizard

At startup time, the Thin Client Setup Wizard appears and the user can set up a connection.

When the user selects a connection that was configured by using the Setup wizard, a dialog box appears prompting the user for their logon credentials. If the user selects Remember my password, the next time that the user selects this connection, it automatically starts to connect to the server with the saved credentials.

If you prefer this connection setting, the following list shows the ways that you can implement this new connection setting during the OS design phase.

  • In the Windows Embedded CE OS Design Wizard, clear the User Interface Dialog Boxes box in Remote Desktop Connection.
    – or –
  • In the Platform Builder Catalog, clear the User Interface Dialog Boxes box located in Core OS\CEBASE\Applications - End User\Remote Desktop Connection\Remote Desktop Connection (RDP).

Windows Embedded CE Standard Shell

At startup time, the standard Windows Embedded CE shell is displayed, with the CETSC icon on the desktop. The user must select the CETSC icon in order to make a connection.

If you prefer this connection setting and want to include the Standard Shell in your thin client, you should add Standard Shell to your OS design from the Catalog.

By default, the Enterprise Terminal design template includes the Standard Shell.

Note

The shell type is selectable in the Catalog under Core OS\CEBASE\Shell and User Interface\Shell.

When a thin client uses the Windows Embedded CE Standard Shell, user preferences are saved in an .rdp file. For more information, see Terminal Services Client Configuration through the .rdp File.

When a thin client uses the Windows Thin Client Shell, user preferences are saved to the registry. For more information, see Configuring the Terminal Services Client.

Starting a Connection at Startup Time

On a thin client that includes the Windows Thin Client Shell, the user can specify a connection as the connection that starts automatically at startup time.

To do this in Terminal Connection Manager, the user must select Configure, click Startup, and then choose Automatically start the selected connection at startup.

Multiple User Connections to a Server

In Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 Update KB945975, multiple users can create connections to the same server from a single thin client. For more information, see Terminal Services Sessions.

See Also

Concepts

Thin Client Software Architecture

Other Resources

Developing a Thin Client
Adding an Item from the Catalog
Windows Thin Client Design Template
Enterprise Terminal Design Template