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Windows Boot Into Custom UI

By Dag, on December 22nd, 2016

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).

1. Run "control userpasswords2" and remove check on password on login.
2. Run gpedit.msc
   1. User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
   2. Open "Custom User Interface"
   3. Set Enabled
   4. Copy path to Plex HT executable into "Interface file name".
   5. Press OK and exit.

You can now reboot directly into Plex (as an example).