How to activate Shell Launcher

DECOTIGNIE Clara 41 Reputation points
2021-01-07T09:56:13.797+00:00

Hi everyone,

I am trying to activate shell launcher in order to configurate a kiosk mode on Windows 10.

I tried to go to Control Pannel and check the box for Shell Launcher as describe here : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/customize/enterprise/shell-launcher#enable-shell-launcher-using-control-panel

but when I run the PowerShell script that is supposed to check if Shell Launcher is actually activated, the script returns that Shell Launcher license enabled is set to False. Here is the link to the script in the Microsoft documentation : https://learn.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows-hardware/customize/enterprise/shell-launcher#set-your-custom-shell

I then tried to activate Shell Launcher through a provisioning package : I downloaded Windows Configuration Designer - Created an advanced provisioning package - I created a user in Runtime settings\Accounts\Users - I enabled Shell Launcher in Runtime settings\SMISettings\ShellLauncher\Enable

But when I log on the session I just created I have a blank page.

I read that that is something that can append if the shell is set to Eshell.exe but mine was set to cmd.exe. I also tried to set it to explorer.exe but I still have this blank screen.

Do you know what I missed ?

Thank you so much for your help

Clara

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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Windows 10 Setup
Windows 10 Setup
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Setup: The procedures involved in preparing a software program or application to operate within a computer or mobile device.
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Accepted answer
  1. Jenny Yan-MSFT 9,321 Reputation points
    2021-01-08T06:34:15.193+00:00

    Hi,
    1.What is the OS version of your windows 10? Only Win 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education will support Shell launcher as well as some other requirements:
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/kiosk-shelllauncher#requirements

    2.There is one situation will lead to blank screen as listed below:
    You cannot use the following executable as a custom shell: C:\Windows\System32\Eshell.exe. Using Eshell.exe as the default shell will result in a blank screen after user signs in.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/customize/enterprise/shell-launcher#enable-shell-launcher-using-control-panel

    3.Also check whether the Shell Launcher version is compatible with windows Version and if necessary update has been installed.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/kiosk-shelllauncher#differences-between-shell-launcher-v1-and-shell-launcher-v2

    Hope this helps and please help to accept as Answer if the response is useful.

    Thanks,
    Jenny

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  1. Sean Liming 4,506 Reputation points
    2021-01-07T22:40:10.41+00:00

    The Shell Launcher feature is installed, but Shell Launcher has two states: enabled or disabled. When Shell Launcher is set to enable all the custom shells become active. When Shell Launcher is disabled, Explorer.exe is the shell.

    I have created some Shell Launcher utilities based on the Shell Launcher WMI API set that can help control the state of Shell Launcher: https://annabooks.com/SW_SLUtility.html

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