[Windows Tip] Replace “Ease of Access” Button with Other Programs on Login Screen
A few years back I posted a tutorial about changing action of “Ease of Access” aka “Accessibility” button at Login Screen. In that tutorial, I provided a simple trick to replace the “Ease of Access” button with any desired program such as Command Prompt, Calculator, any web browser or other desired programs. Using that trick you were able to launch your desired program at login screen by clicking on “Ease of Access” button without actually signing into Windows OS.
Launch Desired Program Using “Ease of Access” Button at Login Screen in Windows
But in that tutorial, you had to replace a system file “utilman.exe” in “System32” folder with the EXE file of your desired program. Today in this tutorial, I’m going to share another easy to follow and simple trick to replace “Ease of Access” button’s action on Login Screen. With the help of this new trick, you’ll be able to launch any desired program from Login Screen and you’ll not need to replace any system file. We are going to use a simple Registry tweak in this tutorial shared by our reader “Vincent“.
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This trick will work in Windows Vista and all later Windows versions such as Windows 7/8/8.1 and Windows 10. If you also want to launch any desired program using “Ease of Access” button at Login Screen, following steps will help you:
1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type regedit in RUN and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
3. Under Image File Execution Options key, create a new key and set its name as utilman.exe
4. Select utilman.exe key and in right-side pane, create a new String and set its name as Debugger
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5. Now the final step! Double-click on Debugger string and set its value to the full path of your desired program’s EXE file. If you want to launch Command Prompt, Calculator, Notepad, Paint or any other system program, you can use the direct EXE file name of those programs as the value of Debugger string such as cmd.exe or calc.exe or notepad.exe, etc.
But if you want to launch programs such as Internet Explorer or any other 3rd party software, then you’ll need to provide full path of that program’s exe file as value of Debugger string such as C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe for launching Internet Explorer.
That’s it. Now lock your computer or log off from the current session and click on “Ease of Access” button at Login Screen. It’ll immediately launch your desired program without any need to sign into Windows.
BONUS TIP:
If you set value of Debugger to C:\Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe in registry, you’ll be able to take screenshot of the Login Screen as it’ll launch Snipping Tool which helps users in taking screenshots of selected area of the screen.
PS: Also check another use of the same Registry tweak:
Hey there, this was a nice hack, and Windows 10 users will truly love it 🙂 Will it work in all build or just the old one?
^^ This trick will work in Windows Vista and all later Windows versions such as Windows 7/8/8.1/10.
Thanks for featuring my trick. Also, if the path of file is not found, it will show an error message.
Thanks man. Your tricks are really awesome.
Hey Vishal,
It seems that thing will revert back to default on Windows 10 or while people using Windows Defender (or not using third-party anti-virus program) because newest signature definitions of Windows Defender will block that and detected threat as something or accessibility hacker thing by Microsoft. If some people read this, please use another anti-virus program to use this trick because I discovered that this trick will automatically reverted to default registry or Windows Defender will block it immediately.
Thanks.
when i do the Debugger string and set its value to = cmd.exe… does that mean the command prompt window will show.. if so that means n e one could type a command – Example type – net user your name password
would that re – set password in-case user forgot the password while login.. intsead of use ‘n windows re-set disc thingy in 8/8.1/10..
^^ Yes.
Hi,TO make this first disable Windows Defender and then do the screenshot of lock screen
Hello Vishal,
I tried the trick, the one which you have mentioned here but as stated by others, Windows Defender is not allowing any app to launch at Windows Login Screen. Disabling Windows Defender even you will also not suggest.
I was looking this because there is one requirement from my end. I have tried couple of things but it did not work. Eg. Configured Kiosk with Microsoft Edge and able to browse required URL successfully but can not download the one small exe to install it for remote session.
Wanted to take Remote session of a system when there is Windows Login Prompt in a scenario where remote user is not able to login into the system and local admin password is with the Administrator (which can’t be share with the particular user).
Even if we get restricted browser (say IE or Chrome) to open Remote Portal (URL) to take Remote session at Windows Login screen will be good and system should have privilege to install required exe file.
It will be really helpful to me if you suggest on this.
It fortunately doesnt work for me, i can’t create a key. If i try to make a key there is a pop up that says: you do not have the permissions to create a key.