Can no longer change default shell from explorer.exe to custom

I had an old installation of Windows 10(Unsure of exact version, was v 1703 or older) where I replaced the default shell of explorer.exe with my own startup.bat file(which started multiple programs excluding explorer) so it would boot directly into my programs. I accomplished this by editing the registry key at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell.

To re-access the desktop I would Control-Alt-Delete --> taskmanager --> run new task --> explorer.exe. This worked fine for 2 years(without internet access) until the other day I connected it to the internet and it updated to version 1903. This reset the default shell back to explorer.exe which I changed back to my startup.bat file. This works fine but now when I attempt to run explorer.exe it only opens an explorer window rather then starting the entire desktop. I am able to access most programs by running them through task manager but would like to have access to the desktop when needed. Any suggestions to try and fix this are welcome! Thank you

dalchina said:

Hi, that's an unusual approach indeed.

I can however confirm that in my experience if no instance of explorer.exe is running in 1903 then starting a new instance does indeed result in the desktop and taskbar appearing.

Please check e.g. in task manager, Details that no instance if explorer.exe is running when you see no desktop and taskbar before launching a new one.

It is indeed an unusual approach but it work(ed) well for me. I can also confirm on two other machines running version 1903 that starting a new instance does result in the desktop and taskbar. After checking I am certain their is no instance of explorer running. Below is a recording of it for confirmation.



If embeded video not working: Explorer Record on Vimeo

dalchina said:

Hi, if I've understood correctly with 2 PCs, launching a new instance of file explorer -> desktop, but not this one.

Just to be sure, check task manager, Details view as I suggested, rather than Processes view.

Also, is your Tablet mode in Settings correct?

Yes my bad. Totally jumped in without fully reading for content. And yes, with 2 other PC's with same Windows version number launching a new instance of file explorer starts the desktop. Attached is the screenshots of details view. I do not see any instances of explorer.exe present.

dalchina said:

Thanks. What happens in Safe Mode? Do you see the same thing?

Has this changed- did you ever not have this problem with this PC?
- possible changes- grpahics driver update, Windows update, upgrade

Are all the PCs exactly the same build?

Have you installed the new version of Edge?

Yes, In safe mode the exact same scenario occurs. Yes, It used to never have this problem before it auto-updated to version 1903. There has been no hardware changes to it. It appears it did upgrade the graphics driver in the process. I will take a further look into that. All PC's I have tested on are the same version. The hardware is different in all machines. I have not installed the new edge on the machine in question.

Hi,
I know this is an old thread, but did you solve this? I load my own application as a shell using a vb script to register i as the shell. What i have found, is that when i bring up the task manager by running it from within my application this always brings up file explorer. When i use ctrl,alt,del and run taskmanager form the blue windows screen and when i select run and type explorer it brings me the desktop. using win 10, tried older version from 2016 and it does the same thing.