Little-known feature in Windows XP

[flarn2006]

There is a very easy way to quit the Windows shell (explorer.exe) without even needing to go into the Task Manager. Simply follow these steps:

1. Click Start
   
2. Select Shut Down
   
3. Hold down Ctrl, Alt, and Shift
   
4. Click Cancel and release the keys
   

And you're done! Your taskbar and desktop icons will disappear, as well as any folder windows you may have open. To get them back, simply load Task Manager (ctrl+alt+del or ctrl+shift+esc; the latter is easier if you have classic logon mode selected.) Go to the File menu, and select New Task (Run...) Type "explorer" (without quotes) and click OK (or press enter.) The shell will then be running again.

Edited July 17, 2008 by flarn2006

[Arie]

Simply using Task Manager sounds a lot easier

[Altruist]

Hah! That's pretty clever!

I just do the task manager and kill the explorer.exe process. I used that one all the time when I was on my shell-swapping binge. Oh, BBLean, I never should have left you!

Edited July 22, 2008 by Altruist

[bledd]

ctrl + shift + escape = task manager