Windows GUI/Shell , how does it work?

[jeremy23_2002]

Well I saw another post about this earlier but cannot locate it agian so I just made my own. Anywho I'm quite aware of what the Graphical User Interface is and it's function but i'm still not sure of how to go about changing it to a differnt shell.

By default Window's uses Explorer.exe correct? Is Progman.exe another example of a shell and how long ago was it when that was the Window's default shell?

My other question is this. Say I find some swanky shell on the internet and implement it into my SYSTEM.INI file under the shell= line is it that easy to switch shells or do other system files have to be edited/changed in order for that new shell to work? Does changing the shell of Window's in anyway effect the stability of Window's? Will window's respond to system devices and system resources differntly or is it just like putting a sheet over your head and calling yourself a ghost? Is it purely cosmetic is what I guess i'm getting at.

Thank you guys for the help, this a very helpful and friendly forum I love it.

[mjc]

Windows never really used progman.exe as the default sehll...it was sort run along with explorer in Win3.1, but progman can be used as one.

As to switching shells...yes it can be as simple as changing the "shell= " line but depending on the shell there can be alot more files tha need to be installed, not necessarily edited. A neat little trick to ensure that there is nothing running in the background while doing a defrag is to change the shell to "=defrag.exe" and then change it back (the edits need to be done in DOS and this obviously works for 9x only....).

How will Windows respond to system devices....well that somewhat depends on the shell....some of them implement certain features of some devices in theshell and others rely on the native functionality of Windows.

Shell swapping is a whole are of Windows tweaking that can both be fun and potentially disasterous...I have played around with it some but never did find one that I like any better (some require too much configuring to get anymore than basic functionality and others just don't go far enough...). For the most part though it is like changing the desktop theme, cosmetic.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[iisbob]

mjc has pretty much covered this topic in his usual precise and ( so far as i've seen ) knowledgeable fashion. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I don't remember now what site it was, but a few years ago i experimented with 98 quite a bit in changing shells; the site was dedicated just to shells you could download-some were quite good as i remember.


I had completely forgotten about the defrag tip mjc; thanks for reminding me! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

I also used to use a version of this a a type of security in a small office enviroment ( having only word open ).

If i ever remember the site, i'll post it. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif




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iisbob

The man who sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which never will grow dim or doubtful. -- Mark Twain.

[pentachris]

Here's (http://www.oingo.com/topic/10/10987.html) a good starting point.

BTW - check out this search engine (http://www.oingo.com). A colleague of my sister's went to a search engine conference in SF, CA and turned us on to it. Haven't used it much yet, but looks interesting.

iisbob: Twain is my one of my favorite quote sources. Nice one! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[pentachris]

Here's (http://www.oingo.com/topic/10/10987.html) a good starting point.

BTW - check out this search engine (http://www.oingo.com). A colleague of my sister's went to a search engine conference in SF, CA and turned us on to it. Haven't used it much yet, but looks interesting.

iisbob: Twain is my one of my favorite quote sources. Nice one! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[pentachris]

Here's (http://www.oingo.com/topic/10/10987.html) a good starting point.

BTW - check out this search engine (http://www.oingo.com). A colleague of my sister's went to a search engine conference in SF, CA and turned us on to it. Haven't used it much yet, but looks interesting.

iisbob: Twain is my one of my favorite quote sources. Nice one! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[jeremy23_2002]

Thank you all for the help.