How to run your own application when Windows Starts?

This article explains a registry entry which you can use to run your application instead of Windows default Shell (Explorer.exe).

By default, the Windows default Shell (Explorer.exe) is initiated to show the user desktop. You can change this behavior by replacing the Explorer.exe with your own application name at the registry.

Key: HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Entry Name: Shell

Value: Explorer.exe

Replace Explorer.exe with your application name. Please make sure you enter the exact path of the application. You need to ask your users to log off and log on for the changes to take affect.