Can't restore Windows Shell - no reversion options for Big Box

[maliusmaximus]

Hi All, have spent time searching the internet and forums here and cant find any clear thread on the matter.
I built a deluxe arcade cabinet for a client about 3 years ago, with a full pc configured for big box to shell at launch. At the time big box didn't have the option to set shell natively, so I ran a script or followed whatever instructions were relevant back in 2022.

I need to revert the PC back to standard windows, but I can't find any information on how to do this. Big box has since been updated and includes the option to enable or disable big box as shell, but it didn't help.

There's no option to uninstall big box and disabling big box as shell doesn't work from menu (likely as it was set as shell before newer versions so the latest version of big box just reverts to prior state if requested to unshell, the prior state still being big box as shell). 

So how do I recover this PC? WIth Big box as shell it keeps hijacking all attempts to turn it into a normal windows machine, and the online help referring to registry editing the HKLM >>>>>all sub directories >>> winlogon doesnt have that folder. 

Im sure this has been asked before but I cant for the life of me find it. TIA.

FYI I've been a paid licensee of launchbox for at least 3 years, so whatever versions I downloaded back then have been based on the licensed versions and continually updated over time, if that's relevant. 

 

Edited January 25 by maliusmaximus

[JoeViking245]

2 hours ago, maliusmaximus said:

I ran a script or followed whatever instructions were relevant back in 2022.

You didn't specifically state, I'm guessing you don't have that information so you can simply reverse what you did?  Instead of looking how to 'revert', look how to shell.

This is definitely a Windows issue (vs BB).

I'd think you be able to Search the Registry for "BigBox.exe" (because that's what it's starting).  Tip: Search just in "Data".  Then wherever it's found, if its Name is Shell and it looks like it's in a Windows related section, change it [back] to "explorer.exe".

A location example might be

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon    Name=Shell  Data=xyz

 

Proceed at your own risk. If it breaks something, it's not my fault. etc. etc.  You know the routine.