Windows Boot Into Custom UI
To get my new NUC to play nice with Windows 8.1 Pro and boot right into Plex Home Theater I used group policy to set up Plex as a custom user interface, instead of it starting explorer.exe. It really helps if you want to use it as a dedicated HTPC. If you need desktop access later on, you can ctrl+alt+delete yourself into it (by running explorer.exe).
- Run "control userpasswords2" and remove check on password on login.
- Run gpedit.msc
- User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
- Open "Custom User Interface"
- Set Enabled
- Copy path to Plex HT executable into "Interface file name".
- Press OK and exit.
You can now reboot directly into Plex (as an example).