Shell Launcher (Standard 8)
7/8/2014
Review the use, syntax, options, and parameters for the Embedded Lockdown Manager (ELM) Shell Launcher in Windows Embedded 8 Standard (Standard 8).
You can use Shell Launcher to replace the default Windows 8 shell with a custom shell. You can use any application or executable as your custom shell, such as a command window or a custom dedicated application.
Warning
You may specify any executable file to be the default shell except C:\Windows\System32\Eshell.exe. Using Eshell.exe as the default shell will result in a blank screen after user logon.
You can also configure Shell Launcher to launch different shell applications for different users or user groups.
You can configure Shell Launcher to launch the Windows 8 shell for any Shell Launcher configuration.
Default Shell
If Shell Launcher cannot find a configuration for the current logged on user, Shell Launcher uses the default shell configuration. You must have a default shell configuration defined for Shell Launcher.
You cannot delete the default shell or specify a different user or group for the default shell configuration. You can only configure which application to launch as the default shell and the action to take when the shell application exits.
Commands
On this screen, you can use the following commands:
- Add a shell
Opens a new Shell Launcher Properties dialog box in which you can create a new Shell Launcher configuration.
- Properties
Opens the Shell Launcher Properties dialog box in which you can modify the currently selected Shell Launcher configuration.
- Delete
Removes the currently selected Shell Launcher configuration. You cannot remove the Default Shell configuration.
Shell Launcher Properties Dialog Box
Launch Application
This section defines what application is launched for a specific user or group. You can configure the following options in this section:
- User or Group Name
Defines the user or group for the specific configuration. Click the Browse Local Accounts button to select a user or group from local accounts present on the device. Click the Browse Domain Accounts to select a user or group from domain accounts if the device is joined to a domain.
- Shell Executable
Defines the application to launch as the shell. Click the Browse button to browse the device for the application to launch.
Application Exit
This section defines what action Shell Launcher takes when the shell application exits. You can take the following actions upon exit:
- Restart shell
- Restart system
- Shut down
- Do nothing
You can configure the following options in this section:
- Unexpected Close Action
Defines the action that Shell Launcher takes when the shell application exits unexpectedly, or exits with a return code that is not mapped to a valid Shell Launcher exit action.
- Return Code Actions
Maps an exit code returned by the Shell application to a valid Shell Launcher exit action.