Replace The Windows Shell With Big Box! Never See The Desktop!

[@darthalest]

I am one of those who asked you if you could make a tutorial on this feature. You guys are the best!!

[@samgao]

Mine still says “welcome” can we get rid of the welcome screen?

[@thgandrade374]

Great software. You guys could implement a button for quick return to windows desktop mode.

[@justinmorland9975]

Are you editing out the sign in screen or do you have some magical way to boot directly to desktop? Even with a local user and no password, the sign in screen will still show for about a second or two.

[@FormulaFox]

Advice for people who use the Steam integration in Launchbox: DON'T set Steam to open with BigBox, just leave it to open when you start a game. Steam opening with BigBox will sometimes cause the Steam window to pop up over BigBox, but this won't happen if Steam opens when starting a game. The first Steam game you load will take longer to boot, but it will overall function better.

[@samgao]

I did this, and it popped up saying updating stream, then the ads came up… kind of annoying but I agree with you: it’s the best way

[@FormulaFox]

@@samgao Yeah, that's caught me out a couple of times too. Fortunately that's only an issue when a Steam update is available, and it still doesn't always throw it up over everything else.

[@FormulaFox]

@@dougclendening5896 This is new to me. I'll have to try it sometime.

[@alexandrebrochu4265]

Working fine on my end except that I see a login screen before the startup video start playing.

[@Azurantine81]

I will almost certainly be using this once I upgrade my PC (will use the current one as a big box exclusive gaming frontend). Very cool that we can do this with bigbox now.

[@odnavreszeuqzav6008]

Love you guys!😊 Thanks for all the hard work! If you haven't, buy bog box! Worth every dollar 💵 🎉

[@SpankTheMunkee]

Absolutely loving this feature and love your tutorials, but I just gotta ask, how did hide/bypass the Windows welcome screen? ^^

[@MINI_91]

I'd like to see the Exit option removed or grayed out from BigBox when it is configured as the Windows Shell in an upcoming update. Perhaps update the startup shell description with why the Exit button is grayed out and let people know it will be re-enable when turning off startup shell. Just a suggestion.

[@majora3043]

I believe you can just lock big box and in the settings under views, hide exit when locked. That way it has to be unlocked to exit.

[@cman01]

I’ve been running my cab like this for years. Nice to see the option built in now. Is there a way to have the windows shell or any other app run on BigBox exit?

[@markdemasseur]

Is there tutoral for when close the arcade machine directly from the power switch that windows never ask you that windows was not correctly close blabla and is there also option that you dont lose you games and data and windows when you do this all the time?

[@jayvee5886]

How do you accomplish this? I've done everything in the video. Tried registry tweaks, no gui boot, everything and I still see the loading screen before bigbox. To be clear it signs in automatically and then runs Bigbox but I can't get rid of the welcome screen. How?

[@samgao]

I've done so many tweaks, (Using WinAero, doing the "disable welcome experience", doing the NOGUI boot) but nothing is like yours where your system doesn't show the "Welcome" Animation. I've been searching for weeks. I've updated my system to an i5-1340p, 4th gen 980 pro w/ 32GB of RAM, and it still shows that welcome animation before my video startup. How??? Every Tutorial on here just shows how to "auto login" not completely disabling the welcome animation.... How did you do it?

[@jayvee5886]

There are a lot of us with this same issue. No one has been able to accomplish this. How did ETA Prime do it? We have no answer.

[@Arcade1983]

This is also great for windows handheld gaming. Great new feature!

[@Squint1992]

How do you get windows to not display your account picture and username before the startup video? im using windows 11 and its annoying me 😢

[@RealMangaAddict]

Thank you for adding this amazing feature! It’s a game changer! Pun intended lol

[@carlos8769]

When in big box shell mode Xbox app Game Pass won’t load only if big boxes in normal windows mode how can I fix this?

[@billwilson6768]

Thanks for another great and informative tutorial for all of us LaunchBox users.However no matter what i try i cannot disable welcome screen in Windows 10! Is it possible to upload a tutorial or comment on how to do this as it would make the process much cleaner? Many thanks if possible.

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

Google netplwiz

[@billwilson6768]

@@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC Thanks for the quick response unfortunately that does not work for me. Iam using windows 10 home, do you use home or pro? Thanks again!

[@Squint1992]

same issue, my account auto logs in but the sign in screen still displays for a few seconds.

[@Antided]

The issue I had when using Big Box as windows shell is that without the explorer.exe running in the background I could no longer change the audii volume.

[@lilgoose713]

Same, I had no audio at all

[@paulonatali5614]

Same issue. The volume (+/-) does not work. Need to disable the windows shell when need to adjust the volume.

[@exodus_cl]

Isn't there any plan on adding a "run exe at exit"? that would easily solve the exit issue for noobs and it will improve UX for users that need to do some maintenance on their cabs.

[@mgfellow7789]

if you launch explorer.exe on exit it would just bring up a file explorer window. Is this the UX fix you are referring to? Personally, there's already a switch to LaunchBox option which I've been using when I want to switch back to LaunchBox to do some changes.

[@exodus_cl]

@@mgfellow7789 You can create an AHK script that may be saved as .EXE

[@CAWilliams01]

Will this reduce the number of running processes?

[@MrClockw3rk]

Also curious if it effects performance

[@JohnWeland]

So Idon't know if its possbile here but back i nthe windows Vista/7 era I tried something like this with a front end called HyperSpin. Iwas able to modify a core .dll file which allowed for concurrent user login so the main user could login and a different user could remote in. Then for the main user I had HyperSpin launchas the Windows Shell, but my admin user could remote in with RDP and get the Windows Shell. So -- so long as you had network access you could always remote in to do admin work, update roms and settings etc. I wonder if something similar could be done here. Or some sort of web server ui for remote configurations.

[@shards.v1]

Nowadays you need server edition of Windows for multiseat.

[@rpegelectronics]

would be great if theres a way to get back into windows shell from bigbox as well somehow.

[@juanroman7130]

Will this speed update Bigbox performance? Launchbox has many themes and alot of them perform horribly because of Bigbox loading background services.

[@darenpeacock437]

So windows firewall/defender still runs in the background?

[@isaaclegouine755]

was actually searching if it was possible omg love it ❣❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@marcusfenix4769]

Will generic drivers work(like a generic USB arcade stick connected to a zero delay PCB, for instance) or do I need to do something?

[@keysta7584]

I didn’t even know this feature existed. I did mines manually. I watched several different videos. Mines boot right into big box with no windows logo etc. I will try this method on my next build.

[@majora3043]

So stoked about this feature!

[@ureil1]

Just a suggestion. Could you make it so that the exit button is grayed out or disabled? When the shell option is enabled? In a future update. Just a thought to prevent that from happening, especially with kids

[@rcadelee]

If you go to security settings in BigBox and create a pin, you can remove the option to Exit BigBox when BigBox is locked. Once BigBox is locked it will remain locked until you unlock it by manually entering your PIN even upon restart.

[@joeyhhhhh]

Hey I got an issue when my big box starts up my startup videos don’t run and when big box is ready it has a blank screen and only wheel of platforms are on screen, until I enter a platform. Does anyone know why

[@patrickbrandenburg9207]

Hey thanks for your titorial. Is there a Chance to Boot the PC with Multiboot so you can select at startup between Windows and big Box?

[@raulantoniomarquezvillegas9605]

Hello, is there a way to remove the login screen on windows 10 before the bigbox shell starts?

[@jvav]

you can also reflash your uefi bios with custom image

[@drmountainman2749]

Ok its me again. Now there is just a black screen appearing following the startup video. No way to exit. The keyboard combo doesn't work. Is there a windows safe mode or something to prevent bigbox from starting and just go back to windows?

[@mato6384]

Hello ETA Prime and Launchbox gurus, can you help me as I have a huge problem, I followed your guide on setting up so Bigbox launches instead of the Windows shell but when I reset the computer all I am getting is a black screen and Bigbox doesnt launch. Is there a way to get the Windows Shell to start up again without going into Bigbox? becuase at the moment imy computer is a paperwieight if I cant get it back to normal?

[@carlos8769]

Yeah, same here? How can I fix this?😊

[@jjrotogeek]

love it brother and thank you for the great vids. been using this since it cam out.. (the option) however, what theme are u using in the video? i love that

[@bdrift107]

Anyway to have launch/big box start up when turning on an android tablet?

[@AaronMcFarland]

I am curious hiding the shell, how do you do Windows updates? This one without going back to the Windows shell, I am not sure how to get windows updates from my experience doing this method.

[@hendrixcrossan9104]

Dang the only problem for me is I launch big box on startup through steam. For some reason no matter what I tried I couldn’t get big box to recognise my arcade stick usb encoders. Through steam all my controllers work

[@saschagunther6938]

A perfect Video. Thanks a lot. Does anybody knows wich theme it IS? It Looks amazing when the Cover Box Slide in.

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

it's called 3-DIMENSIONS

[@saschagunther6938]

@@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC thanks

[@drmountainman2749]

I'm still getting the windows login screen briefly. Anyone know how to bypass that? Primes example here didn't have the windows lock screen at all. Its a local account w/ out pw.

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

google netplwiz

[@KaMZaTa]

Same here. I'm using Windows 10 LTSC. Did you solve? How?

[@KaMZaTa]

@@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC I have a local account on Windows LTSC set with no password. I already checked netplwiz but, as for the user above, the windows login screen briefly appear before BigBox launching.

[@drmountainman2749]

@@KaMZaTa it’s still there. I did remove pw login entirely like was suggested w netplwiz.

[@maliusmaximus1428]

I did this manually before big box had the shell option. I think I used a script. Gotta do some maintenance on the unit now and then can't remember exactly what I did. Any ideas?

[@goonerlee]

If I set this up I’m never ever getting any work done. Great stuff as always though.

[@RaysSim]

Yesss this is what i have needed thank you 😊

[@jvale120]

Question, is there a way to start an application minimized. Like steam, and discord in the background (minimized)

[@user-jd3pk1bz8e]

You guys are amazing! Thanks!

[@uberrrr]

0:37 how do i get that tone of voice when saying ‘initializing bigbox?’ I use unified theme and it sounds different.

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

Big Box sound packs. You can choose from some defaults, or add your own sound packs. There are options under the Sound section of the Big Box options menu.

[@piotref543]

everything is fine , but no high scores are loaded and uploaded when Im using this option ......

[@sjzafrani]

Can this work with the rog ally? Don’t see why not, but I’m new to all this. For whatever reason, the few Roms im using (total beginner) seem to run better with launchbox than emudeck, or steam…. Dreamcast, n64 and switch yuzu so far. Would love to configure my launchbox and then boot directly into big box.

[@DarkLinkArt]

really nice video!! but i`m having a problem opening games from gamepass when using that method. i just get an error everytime i try to open a xbox gamepass game. i already tested using a shortcut of the xbox app as one of the aplications that start with bigbox while on windows shell mode but it didnt work is there a way to fix that? thanks in advance!!!

[@rcash3625]

So ETA prime is behind launchbox?

[@AxelPironio]

My Launchbox PC is connected to an Active Direcory Domain (don't ask why) with an autologin at startup. Would this be compatible with my setup ?

[@markdemasseur]

You are awesome bro 👍🏻🤘🏻💪🏻

[@KaMZaTa]

Where can I find the exact theme and start video you are using?

[@ThatRandomFastingGuy]

I would love to know this too

[@ThatRandomFastingGuy]

The Theme is called "3-DIMENSIONS". I haven't managed to find the video yet.

[@hugorodriguez8422]

I hope you guys are working to convert LB into a stand alone OS, it would be amazing

[@lilsmoke3729]

Yeah that would be cool, kind of like how the polymega is set up but better

[@wonderzaf4823]

That will be the next big thing. I hope

[@Soljie1969]

Gonna do this on my Rog Ally. What big box theme is that ?.

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

It's called 3-DIMENSIONS

[@slugie7934]

hi there, does this work with an external hard drive with big box on it? As long as it’s obviously connected before I turn on the PC Thank you

[@adamchace]

Is this impactful to Teknoparrot games (an in particular games that need direct and whatnot)?

[@CallumEaston]

As someone who’s recently discovered Launch Box / Big Box and exploring options… can someone kindly tell me if that’s one of tue default front end themes that comes with installation??? Thanks

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

If you are referring to the Big Box theme being used in this video, it's called 3-DIMENSIONS, and can be found in the theme manager inside of Big Box.

[@CallumEaston]

@@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC Perfect thank you!

[@majora3043]

Didn't work for me, still boots windows shell. Does this work with windows 10?

[@robertfrayer6711]

how do you access the wireless settings?

[@ysorto408]

Do you guys makes a big box for steam deck OS

[@insomaniac007]

Awesome feature, this makes it a hell of a lot easier to do this. BTW, could anyone kindly let me know what theme he is using in BigBox please?

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

It's called 3-DIMENSIONS and can be found in Big Box's theme manager :)

[@insomaniac007]

@@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC Awesome, thank you so much!

[@Davis4mvp]

What is that theme?! 👀

[@MuhammadArshad92]

Great stuff!!

[@samgao]

My Guess is: ETA Prime's PC is sooo fast that it doesn't even show that login.

[@BrunoTarcisio]

Ficou perfeita essa função. Muito obrigado

[@RetroFili81]

Will my CRT Emudriver setup still work if I do this?

[@rcapacheguy]

Works for me

[@ricardoleaf]

launch box is working great, but after i bought my lifetime licence and tried to open bigbox, its only givin errors. i cant find any solutions for this on the website and the internet

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

A very common reason for something like this is when LaunchBox is installed on a drive that doesn't support symlinks. If you haven't already, make a post over on our LaunchBox Community Forums with the different errors you are receiving, and you'll be able to get better help over there.

[@lilgoose713]

Why don’t I have sound when I try this?

[@momentarydogma]

Why is it "good practice" to use a Big Box startup video?

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

In this context, the main reason people may want to apply Big Box as the windows shell is to create a more seamless experience between turning on their computer and entering into Big Box. Applying a startup video is a step even further towards that goal.

[@goldenpants2492]

Would this work well on an ayaneo 2?

[@MrClockw3rk]

This is fantastic, but the main issue that keeps me from using Bigbox as my default interface is that it can’t be left on for even 3 days without freezing up. I think that is the single greatest issue facing the software, and it should be priority number one in all future versions.

[@Gambit771]

Why would you leave your pc running for three days?

[@MrClockw3rk]

@@Gambit771 if I’m running Batocera, I can leave it running for 3 weeks without it freezing, crashing or having other memory issues. If I’m running Windows alone, I can do the same thing. I want my Bigbox interface to achieve that same standard.

[@policiacivil3867]

@@MrClockw3rk still happens ? I didnt see that issue here, do you have discord ?

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

If you need a password when logging into windows, would this work? Or is this a dedicated machine where no password was configured?

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

This will work even if you require a password. For the power user, there are ways to automatically sign into Windows as well, even with a password set.

[@Alex_Power]

If your windows has a password, does the shell bypass the password screen?

[@ThatRandomFastingGuy]

I just use the official Microsoft application Autologon 😊

[@bulletgaming5712]

Will this mess with bitlocker

[@sunnshiner]

So... will this stop all the Windows crap running in the background? I have a nice. stable build and really don't want any updates or other bollocks ruining it. I only use Windows for games, all my other stuff's done in Linux.

[@retrogoatathlete]

This is awesome.

[@GuardianGunman]

What theme is this is in the video?

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

It's called 3-DIMENSIONS

[@mathewrimmer1945]

anyway to do this with steam os3?

[@Gambit771]

Don't you mean you exited big box on purpose? This is an interesting feature. Extremely helpful for clean builds.

[@policiacivil3867]

this is NICE.

[@twindez]

serve para windows 11?

[@BrunoTarcisio]

Serve sim

[@EduardoRodrigues-qo7yp]

the windows login screen still shows up

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

Google netplwiz

[@EduardoRodrigues-qo7yp]

@@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC excellent, tks. Another question, is there a way to start the Windows shell from BB? It's a bit annoying to revert the shell change to have access to windows again

[@robertgreiner4703]

Does it also work for Win 7?

[@UnbrokenSoftwareLLC]

This should work for Win 7, however, we don't specifically target this operating system during development due to its end of life status.

[@yaccfonoti]

i prefer bigbox on startup instead,. Easier to exit game mode and back to regular pc

[@johnblue5686]

nice :)

[@gavin555666]

🤘🍻🤘

[@PresidentCamacho24]

This video isn't helpful until @4:19 KISS!

[@PresidentCamacho24]

Why is it good to have the video of Big Box at startup? So guests will see who is powering this shell? smh

[@doublevendetta]

Because it hides the load? He says that right out loud, right after "is a must." Do your ears not work or did you decide to wake up confrontational?

[@El3ctr0Lun4]

There's a loading process that happens when you open BigBox (e.g. parsing all the XML files with game lists, loading images etc.), and the video offers a nice way of hiding this. You can literally use any video as the startup, not necessarily something that shows Launchbox logos - you could have a video mashup of your favourite games, or your childhood pictures, whatever.