Windows User Process Startup

Once a user has entered a valid ID and password, WINLOGIN starts a process running USERINIT.EXE.

USERINIT initializes the user environment, including starting the user's shell, which is normally EXPLORER.EXE (not to be confused with Internet Explorer).

EXPLORER starts any additional processes specified in the user's "Startup" folder and the "All Users" startup folder, as well as values stored in the registry under the following keys:

Once EXPLORER has initialized, the user can interact with the system.

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