Starting straight into desktop: possible solution

[JR]

Hia folks


Been studying ways of easing my users's move to Windows 8. One was is
to try to bypass the new start screen as much as possible. I've been
trying to find ways to boot straight into the desktop, WITHOUT
installing 3rd party software, and found these instructions:

http://windows7vswindows8.com/booting-directly-to-desktop/


Basically, we make a txt file with these lines:

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=Explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop

save as desktop.scf, and then create a scheduled task, that activates
on login, to run that file. Works well, but there's a problem: for
some reason, an explorer window pops up.

But if I 2-click on the file, it works well: desktop shows up, no
problems.

As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?
---//---

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum."
--------------------------
Comparisons of sizes: W40k vs other models
http://www.pbase.com/hammerbolt/compare

[Dave-UK]

"JR" > wrote in message ...
> Hia folks
>
>
> Been studying ways of easing my users's move to Windows 8. One was is
> to try to bypass the new start screen as much as possible. I've been
> trying to find ways to boot straight into the desktop, WITHOUT
> installing 3rd party software, and found these instructions:
>
> http://windows7vswindows8.com/booting-directly-to-desktop/
>
>
> Basically, we make a txt file with these lines:
>
> [Shell]
> Command=2
> IconFile=Explorer.exe,3
> [Taskbar]
> Command=ToggleDesktop
>
> save as desktop.scf, and then create a scheduled task, that activates
> on login, to run that file. Works well, but there's a problem: for
> some reason, an explorer window pops up.
>
> But if I 2-click on the file, it works well: desktop shows up, no
> problems.
>
> As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?

Instead of a scheduled task, try putting desktop.scf into the Startup folder.

[JR]

On Thu, 8 Nov 2012 11:51:55 -0000, "Dave-UK" > wrote:

>
>> As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?
>
>Instead of a scheduled task, try putting desktop.scf into the Startup folder.
>
Tried that, didn't work.
---//---

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum."
--------------------------
Comparisons of sizes: W40k vs other models
http://www.pbase.com/hammerbolt/compare

[Stefan Patric[_3_]]

On Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:31:26 +0000, JR wrote:

> On Thu, 8 Nov 2012 11:51:55 -0000, "Dave-UK" > wrote:
>
>
>>> As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?
>>
>>Instead of a scheduled task, try putting desktop.scf into the Startup
>>folder.
>>
> Tried that, didn't work.

Did you check its Properties and make the script Executable?

Stef

[Stefan Patric[_3_]]

On Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:31:26 +0000, JR wrote:

> On Thu, 8 Nov 2012 11:51:55 -0000, "Dave-UK" > wrote:
>
>
>>> As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?
>>
>>Instead of a scheduled task, try putting desktop.scf into the Startup
>>folder.
>>
> Tried that, didn't work.

Did you check its Properties and make the script Executable?

Stef

[Stefan Patric[_3_]]

On Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:31:26 +0000, JR wrote:

> On Thu, 8 Nov 2012 11:51:55 -0000, "Dave-UK" > wrote:
>
>
>>> As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?
>>
>>Instead of a scheduled task, try putting desktop.scf into the Startup
>>folder.
>>
> Tried that, didn't work.

Did you check its Properties and make the script Executable?

Stef

[XS11E]

JR > wrote:

> Been studying ways of easing my users's move to Windows 8. One was
> is to try to bypass the new start screen as much as possible. I've
> been trying to find ways to boot straight into the desktop,
> WITHOUT installing 3rd party software,

I don't know why you don't want 3rd party software, it's the easiest
and best way to do what you want.

Classic Shell from Sourceforge.net is the fix for Windows 8 for me...

FWIW, I've never run Windows anything, going back to Windows 3.0 w/o
third party software and one third party's software (Intuit) is the
main reason I own a PC. Can you honestly say your PC has no 3rd party
software? No printer drivers? No CD/DVD software? No Forte Agent
(that you used to post your message?)


--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

[Dave-UK]

"JR" > wrote in message ...
> On Thu, 8 Nov 2012 11:51:55 -0000, "Dave-UK" > wrote:
>
>>
>>> As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?
>>
>>Instead of a scheduled task, try putting desktop.scf into the Startup folder.
>>
> Tried that, didn't work.

What do you mean, it didn't work?
Do you mean it didn't boot to the desktop or it did and you still got explorer opening?

It works on my Desktop. The scf file is in this startup folder:
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf

[Dave-UK]

"Stefan Patric" > wrote in message ...
> On Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:31:26 +0000, JR wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 8 Nov 2012 11:51:55 -0000, "Dave-UK" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>> As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?
>>>
>>>Instead of a scheduled task, try putting desktop.scf into the Startup
>>>folder.
>>>
>> Tried that, didn't work.
>
> Did you check its Properties and make the script Executable?
>
> Stef

What are you talking about ?
How do you make it 'Executable' ?

[Gene E. Bloch[_5_]]

On 11/08/2012, Dave-UK posted:
>> Did you check its Properties and make the script Executable?
>>
>> Stef

> What are you talking about ?
> How do you make it 'Executable' ?

Stef is probably thinking Unixly or Linuxly, to coin an adverb or two.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

[John Doe]

"Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:

> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf

That is one impressive path.

[Paul]

John Doe wrote:
> "Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:
>
>> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf
>
> That is one impressive path.

I interpret this path to mean, the location in question is not
one the OS wants users writing to, and this is the fallback
location.

Paul

[John Doe]

XS11E <xs11eNO SPAMyahoo.com> wrote:

> JR <notmy mail.cc> wrote:
>
>> Been studying ways of easing my users's move to Windows 8. One
>> was is to try to bypass the new start screen as much as
>> possible. I've been trying to find ways to boot straight into
>> the desktop, WITHOUT installing 3rd party software,
>
> I don't know why you don't want 3rd party software, it's the
> easiest and best way to do what you want.
>
> Classic Shell from Sourceforge.net is the fix for Windows 8 for
> me...
>
> FWIW, I've never run Windows anything, going back to Windows 3.0
> w/o third party software and one third party's software (Intuit)
> is the main reason I own a PC. Can you honestly say your PC has
> no 3rd party software? No printer drivers? No CD/DVD software?
> No Forte Agent (that you used to post your message?)

I think you horribly misunderstood what was said. He wasn't
talking about his own personal computer. And he didn't say that he
never installs third-party software.

[XS11E]

John Doe > wrote:

> XS11E <xs11eNO SPAMyahoo.com> wrote:
>> I don't know why you don't want 3rd party software, it's the
>> easiest and best way to do what you want.

> I think you horribly misunderstood what was said. He wasn't
> talking about his own personal computer.

Here's what he said:

"Been studying ways of easing my users's move to Windows 8. One was is
to try to bypass the new start screen as much as possible. I've been
trying to find ways to boot straight into the desktop, WITHOUT
installing 3rd party software,"

I still don't see any reason NOT to install 3rd party software?


--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

[Dave-UK]

"John Doe" > wrote in message ...
> "Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:
>
>> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf
>
> That is one impressive path.

It's where the desktop.scf file ends up if you drag and drop it into a normal Startup folder.
As Win8 has no usual Start menu you have to do it via Explorer, that's why I posted the path.

[JR]

On Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:45:33 +0000, JR > wrote:




Sorry for the late reply, folks. Damn combination of time zones and
"rush to fix emergency" kept me from coming here :(

-Moving the file to the start menu didn't work, Windows doesn't "jump"
to the desktop, remaining in the start menu (metro?) interface; no
idea why. And It's on the correct folder.

-We don't like to install 3rd party software, at least anything
altering/invoilving the OS, because we have 180 PCs to do. Anything we
don't pick on testing can cause havoc, if it happens to conflict with
anythng the various departments have installed. Being understaffed and
overworked, we tend to frown on anything that cause more work...

We'll probably forget this, anyway. It's not that hard to hit ESCAPE
when you're in the start menu...
---//---

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum."
--------------------------
Comparisons of sizes: W40k vs other models
http://www.pbase.com/hammerbolt/compare

[Dan Sutter]

On 11/9/2012 3:32 AM, Dave-UK wrote:
>
> "John Doe" > wrote in message ...
>> "Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:
>>
>>> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf
>>
>> That is one impressive path.
>
> It's where the desktop.scf file ends up if you drag and drop it into a normal Startup folder.
> As Win8 has no usual Start menu you have to do it via Explorer, that's why I posted the path.
>
>
FYI:
Nothing in that folder(above) will be launched until after the user "YourName" logs in.
Try putting it's path in a string variable(REG_SZ) at:
HKLM->Software->Microsoft->windows->CurrentVersion->Run
Maybe this will launch it before the welcome screen loads?
HTH,
Dan

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

[Dave-UK]

"Dan Sutter" > wrote in message ...
> On 11/9/2012 3:32 AM, Dave-UK wrote:
>>
>> "John Doe" > wrote in message ...
>>> "Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf
>>>
>>> That is one impressive path.
>>
>> It's where the desktop.scf file ends up if you drag and drop it into a normal Startup folder.
>> As Win8 has no usual Start menu you have to do it via Explorer, that's why I posted the path.
>>
>>
> FYI:
> Nothing in that folder(above) will be launched until after the user "YourName" logs in.
> Try putting it's path in a string variable(REG_SZ) at:
> HKLM->Software->Microsoft->windows->CurrentVersion->Run
> Maybe this will launch it before the welcome screen loads?
> HTH,
> Dan

Did you test this ?
Because for me it doesn't work. You still have to logon first.

[BillW50]

On 11/22/2012 3:28 AM, Dave-UK wrote:
>
> "Dan Sutter" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 11/9/2012 3:32 AM, Dave-UK wrote:
>>>
>>> "John Doe" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> "Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start
>>>>> Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf
>>>>
>>>> That is one impressive path.
>>>
>>> It's where the desktop.scf file ends up if you drag and drop it into
>>> a normal Startup folder.
>>> As Win8 has no usual Start menu you have to do it via Explorer,
>>> that's why I posted the path.
>>>
>>>
>> FYI:
>> Nothing in that folder(above) will be launched until after the user
>> "YourName" logs in.
>> Try putting it's path in a string variable(REG_SZ) at:
>> HKLM->Software->Microsoft->windows->CurrentVersion->Run
>> Maybe this will launch it before the welcome screen loads?
>> HTH,
>> Dan
>
> Did you test this ?
> Because for me it doesn't work. You still have to logon first.

What am I missing here? Does everyone just shutdown their machines? I
almost never do that at all. Rather I use standby or hibernation modes
instead. And when I want my computer back on, touch the power button and
I am looking straight at the Windows 8 desktop.

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v12
Centrino Core2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz - 4GB - Windows 8

[[email protected]]

On Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:45:33 +0000, JR > wrote:

>Hia folks
>
>
>Been studying ways of easing my users's move to Windows 8. One was is
>to try to bypass the new start screen as much as possible. I've been
>trying to find ways to boot straight into the desktop, WITHOUT
>installing 3rd party software, and found these instructions:
>
>http://windows7vswindows8.com/booting-directly-to-desktop/
>
>
>Basically, we make a txt file with these lines:
>
>[Shell]
>Command=2
>IconFile=Explorer.exe,3
>[Taskbar]
>Command=ToggleDesktop
>
>save as desktop.scf, and then create a scheduled task, that activates
>on login, to run that file. Works well, but there's a problem: for
>some reason, an explorer window pops up.
>
>But if I 2-click on the file, it works well: desktop shows up, no
>problems.
>
>As anyone tried this trick? Any ideas on what the problem might be?
>---//---
>
>"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum."
>--------------------------
>Comparisons of sizes: W40k vs other models
>http://www.pbase.com/hammerbolt/compare
>
If this doesn't work out to your satisfaction, just let it start with
the Lock screen showing then press the MSFT and the i key together to
move to the START screen. That's a lower case letter i, not the
numeral 1 that you press in unison with the MSFT key. Gordon

[Dan Sutter]

On 11/22/2012 4:28 AM, Dave-UK wrote:
>
> "Dan Sutter" > wrote in message ...
>> On 11/9/2012 3:32 AM, Dave-UK wrote:
>>>
>>> "John Doe" > wrote in message ...
>>>> "Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf
>>>>
>>>> That is one impressive path.
>>>
>>> It's where the desktop.scf file ends up if you drag and drop it into a normal Startup folder.
>>> As Win8 has no usual Start menu you have to do it via Explorer, that's why I posted the path.
>>>
>>>
>> FYI:
>> Nothing in that folder(above) will be launched until after the user "YourName" logs in.
>> Try putting it's path in a string variable(REG_SZ) at:
>> HKLM->Software->Microsoft->windows->CurrentVersion->Run
>> Maybe this will launch it before the welcome screen loads?
>> HTH,
>> Dan
>
> Did you test this ?
> Because for me it doesn't work. You still have to logon first.
>
>
>
No I did not.
I guessed.
I have several profiles and don't mind logging in.
Were back to the drawing board :)

Processes do run before logging in.
A web search for
"starting a process before log on to windows 7"
showed me about start-up scripts.
Look here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7207979_make-start-before-logging-windows.html

In the OP's script, there is no "user name" or "password" to log in with.
I cannot see how the script:
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=Explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
Could be used to log on to any particular user.
What is "Command=2" do?

The OP may need to return to:
http://windows7vswindows8.com/booting-directly-to-desktop/
And repeat the 4 steps there.

Sorry,
Dan

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

[..winston]

Windows 8 processes the Startup folder after the Windows 8 Start Screen loads.


--
....winston
msft mvp


"Dave-UK" wrote in message ...


"John Doe" > wrote in message ...
> "Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:
>
>> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf
>
> That is one impressive path.

It's where the desktop.scf file ends up if you drag and drop it into a normal Startup folder.
As Win8 has no usual Start menu you have to do it via Explorer, that's why I posted the path.

[..winston]

Windows 8 processes the Startup folder after the Windows 8 Start Screen loads.


--
....winston
msft mvp


"Dave-UK" wrote in message ...


"John Doe" > wrote in message ...
> "Dave-UK" <1 2.com> wrote:
>
>> C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Window s\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Desktop.scf
>
> That is one impressive path.

It's where the desktop.scf file ends up if you drag and drop it into a normal Startup folder.
As Win8 has no usual Start menu you have to do it via Explorer, that's why I posted the path.

[BillW50]

On 11/26/2012 2:05 AM, ..winston wrote:
> Windows 8 processes the Startup folder after the Windows 8 Start Screen
> loads.

I have a Metro App called "Windows 8 Tricks and Tips" and under "Boot to
the desktop without an app" has a wonderful solution for those that
wants it to come straight into the desktop first. Basically you just
schedule a task running "explorer" at logon.

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v12
Centrino Core2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz - 4GB - Windows 8

[Andy]

does it actualy work ?


--
AL'S COMPUTERS
"BillW50" > wrote in message
...
> On 11/26/2012 2:05 AM, ..winston wrote:
>> Windows 8 processes the Startup folder after the Windows 8 Start Screen
>> loads.
>
> I have a Metro App called "Windows 8 Tricks and Tips" and under "Boot to
> the desktop without an app" has a wonderful solution for those that wants
> it to come straight into the desktop first. Basically you just schedule a
> task running "explorer" at logon.
>
> --
> Bill
> Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v12
> Centrino Core2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz - 4GB - Windows 8

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

On Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:37:19 -0500, "Andy" > wrote in article
>...
> AL'S COMPUTERS
> "BillW50" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On 11/26/2012 2:05 AM, ..winston wrote:
> >> Windows 8 processes the Startup folder after the Windows 8 Start Screen
> >> loads.
> >
> > I have a Metro App called "Windows 8 Tricks and Tips" and under "Boot to
> > the desktop without an app" has a wonderful solution for those that wants
> > it to come straight into the desktop first. Basically you just schedule a
> > task running "explorer" at logon.
> >
>
> does it actualy work ?

I didn't buy the app to see if there are any details to their approach
that might change the end result, but I added a scheduled task to run
at login to launch explorer.exe and it works, sort of. There is a brief
pause after login in where the Metro interface is shown, and then it
switches to the desktop and opens an explorer window.

--
Zaphod

"So [Trillian], two heads is what does it for a girl?"
"...Anything else [Zaphod]'s got two of?"
- Arthur Dent

[BillW50]

On 11/28/2012 7:30 AM, Zaphod Beeblebrox wrote:
> On Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:37:19 -0500, > wrote in article
> >...
>> AL'S COMPUTERS
>> > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On 11/26/2012 2:05 AM, ..winston wrote:
>>>> Windows 8 processes the Startup folder after the Windows 8 Start Screen
>>>> loads.
>>>
>>> I have a Metro App called "Windows 8 Tricks and Tips" and under "Boot to
>>> the desktop without an app" has a wonderful solution for those that wants
>>> it to come straight into the desktop first. Basically you just schedule a
>>> task running "explorer" at logon.
>>>
>>
>> does it actualy work ?
>
> I didn't buy the app to see if there are any details to their approach
> that might change the end result, but I added a scheduled task to run
> at login to launch explorer.exe and it works, sort of. There is a brief
> pause after login in where the Metro interface is shown, and then it
> switches to the desktop and opens an explorer window.

Actually it is a free App (there must be like thousands of free Apps).
Just go to the Store and search (Win+Q) "Windows 8 Tricks and Tips". And
it lists as the third one down on my screen.

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v12
Centrino Core2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz - 4GB - Windows 8

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

On Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:26:25 -0600, "BillW50" > wrote
in article >...
>
> On 11/28/2012 7:30 AM, Zaphod Beeblebrox wrote:
> > On Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:37:19 -0500, > wrote in article
> > >...
> >> AL'S COMPUTERS
> >> > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >>> On 11/26/2012 2:05 AM, ..winston wrote:
> >>>> Windows 8 processes the Startup folder after the Windows 8 Start Screen
> >>>> loads.
> >>>
> >>> I have a Metro App called "Windows 8 Tricks and Tips" and under "Boot to
> >>> the desktop without an app" has a wonderful solution for those that wants
> >>> it to come straight into the desktop first. Basically you just schedule a
> >>> task running "explorer" at logon.
> >>>
> >>
> >> does it actualy work ?
> >
> > I didn't buy the app to see if there are any details to their approach
> > that might change the end result, but I added a scheduled task to run
> > at login to launch explorer.exe and it works, sort of. There is a brief
> > pause after login in where the Metro interface is shown, and then it
> > switches to the desktop and opens an explorer window.
>
> Actually it is a free App (there must be like thousands of free Apps).
> Just go to the Store and search (Win+Q) "Windows 8 Tricks and Tips". And
> it lists as the third one down on my screen.

The one I saw originally was $2.49 or so, but after a renewed search I
was able to find the free one you mentioned. That said, I see why it
is free, there isn't much there at all. Also unfortunately, there
isn't anything else in the tip that solves the two (minor) issues with
the tip.

--
Zaphod

The secret of flying is to hurl yourself to the ground, and miss.

[..winston]

Correct.
Similar what was noted earlier (for processing Startup items) Windows 8 processes Tasks after the Start Screen (fka Metro) loads.



--
....winston
msft mvp


"Zaphod Beeblebrox" wrote in message ...

On Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:37:19 -0500, "Andy" > wrote in article
>...
> AL'S COMPUTERS
> "BillW50" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On 11/26/2012 2:05 AM, ..winston wrote:
> >> Windows 8 processes the Startup folder after the Windows 8 Start Screen
> >> loads.
> >
> > I have a Metro App called "Windows 8 Tricks and Tips" and under "Boot to
> > the desktop without an app" has a wonderful solution for those that wants
> > it to come straight into the desktop first. Basically you just schedule a
> > task running "explorer" at logon.
> >
>
> does it actualy work ?

I didn't buy the app to see if there are any details to their approach
that might change the end result, but I added a scheduled task to run
at login to launch explorer.exe and it works, sort of. There is a brief
pause after login in where the Metro interface is shown, and then it
switches to the desktop and opens an explorer window.

--
Zaphod

"So [Trillian], two heads is what does it for a girl?"
"...Anything else [Zaphod]'s got two of?"
- Arthur Dent