Command-line shell for Windows

An interesting idea, but virtually completely untested. Attempt anything in this TechByte at your own risk!

It is possible to replace the default Windows shell (explorer.exe) with a command-line console (cmd.exe) instead. What advantages this may offer are unknown -- improved performance or stability have been discussed at times. Of course, some users are simply more comfortable at the command-line, and with the tools added in Windows XP/2003, it is becoming increasingly possible to operate a Windows system in this way.

Using REGEDIT, browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/CurrentVersion/WinLogon and change the Shell value from explorer.exe to cmd.exe. Log out and log back in for the change to take effect.

The console will start in a window by default, but can be changed to full-screen mode by changing the default properties of the window.

Explorer, Regedit, and potentially other GUI applications should still run... but again, this is untested.

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