Minlogon and Explorer shell

[Guest]

In XPe, the Winlogon component (and in my case Automatic Logon) may be
replaced with the Minlogon component. The Minlogon component provides a
single-user auto logon as 'system user'. For many embedded applications,
this is a more appropriate logon scenario, because there are no 'logon'
activities for many embedded applications. The user may not even be aware
that Windows XP is running in the background.

XPe component help article "Building a Single or Multi User Baseline
Configuration" suggests using the command shell when the Minlogon component
is used. If you try to use Minlogon with the Explorer shell, it is not
possible because of dependencies of the Explorer shell to the Winlogon
component.

It seems reasonable to use the Explorer shell with Minlogon. Minlogon could
be seen as a subset of Winlogon, and very properly be used in the normal
Windows Explorer shell. Some articles suggest building a Winlogon system
with the TD and post-build substituting the Minlogon component. This
practice demonstrates the apparent necessity to use Minlogon with the
Explorer shell, but does compromise the build somewhat.

Is there a way to use Minlogon and the Explorer shell together, and build
the system in the normal way with TD?

If the Minlogon, Winlogon, and Explorer shell components were/are designed
to do this (i.e. minimize coupling, maximize cohesion), the use of Minlogon
with the Explorer shell seems natural.

It is my understanding that the "Explorer shell" has the 'normal' Windows
user interface components: taskbar, start menu, desktop, etc.

....Jim Hughen

 

[Sean Liming \(eMVP\)]

As far as space, you are not saving much switching from Winlogon to MinLogon
with Explorer as the shell.

You could try having Command Shell as the shell and launch the Explorer
Application. Explorer will want to open as the shell with taskbar,
startmenu, etc. I have seen this with custom shells when one is trying to
launch file Explorer.

Regards,

Sean Liming
www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com
XP Embedded Book Author - XP Embedded Advanced, XP Embedded Supplemental
Toolkit.

 

[Guest]

At this point, space is not a major consideration.

Building with the Command shell and then launching the Explorer Ap sounds
like a possible good configuration. I will try this and respond later.

thanks
....Jim Hughen

 

[Guest]

I have built a Minlogon with Command shell XPe system.

When Explorer is invoked from the command shell, it runs like a normal
Explorer window. I don't see any evidence of a taskbar, startmenu, etc.

Maybe there is some other means to get these desktop items of the Explorer
shell when invoking the Explorer Application.

Maybe there is a list of command arguments to Explorer.exe to invoke/control
these items?

thanks -- these ideas and considerations are very helpful this development
....Jim Hughen

 

[ppraem]

Just configure your system in target designer to use minlogon and command shell, include explorer in your project.

Then after FBA go into the registry under Winlogon and set the shell
to explorer.exe

now your can run minlogon and explorer shell.

Per Praem