Windows Thin Client Shell Overview (Windows Embedded CE 6.0)

1/5/2010

This topic describes the Windows Thin Client Shell, also known as the Windows-based Terminal (WBT) shell.

Windows Thin Client Shell

The Windows Thin Client Shell is a type of shell that is targeted to the needs of a Windows Embedded CE powered thin client, and can be selected as a Catalog item when you create an operating system (OS) design.

The Windows Thin Client Shell is designed specifically for a Windows Thin Client OS design. It provides only the Thin Client Setup Wizard, Remote Desktop Connection, and the Thin Client Property Sheets. You can also add Internet Explorer 6 to the Windows Thin Client Shell. No local Windows operating system desktop is provided, and all applications must be executed on the server. By default, when it is connected to a server, the Windows Thin Client Shell displays the Windows-based operating system desktop on the server in full-screen mode.

The Windows Thin Client Shell can operate with a default connection or without a default connection.

• Default Connection: A thin client can operate with a default connection as the default. At startup time, the Thin Client Setup Wizard is bypassed, and a default connection starts the Windows Embedded CE Terminal Services Client (CETSC). The user is prompted for a server.
  When it is running with a default connection, user input is saved in an .rdp file. For more information, see Terminal Services Client Configuration through the .rdp File.
• No Default Connection: When a thin client operates without a default connection, at startup time, the Thin Client Setup Wizard appears for the user to configure the thin client.
• Select Connection Manually: The user can start either the default connection or a custom connection from the list in the Terminal Connection Manager dialog box.
  When a thin client runs without a default connection, user preferences are saved in the registry. For more information, see Configuring the Terminal Services Client.

Windows Thin Client Shell Interaction

The first time that a user turns on a thin client, the Windows Thin Client Setup Wizard appears. After the user finishes the initial setup and configuration of the thin client, the user can change the settings by using keyboard shortcuts or by pressing F2 to display the thin client property sheets. To support this functionality, you must provide support for keyboard shortcuts and property sheets.

The following table shows the tasks that a user can perform by using keyboard shortcuts.

Keyboard shortcut	Description
CTRL+ALT+END	Bring the shell user interface (UI) to the foreground
CTRL+ALT+UP ARROW	Switch to the next active session without bringing the shell to the foreground
CTRL+ALT+DOWN ARROW	Switch to the next active session without brining the shell to the foreground
CTRL+ALT+HOME	Switch to the default connection if it is running, or start a default connection

For these user tasks, you can either provide the default keyboard shortcuts, or you can modify the existing keyboard shortcuts.

For more information about how to configure keyboard shortcuts, see Configuring Keyboard Shortcuts in Thin Client.

Shell Catalog Item

The Windows Thin Client Shell, SYSGEN_WBTSHELL, is a required Catalog item when the Windows Thin Client Design Template is selected as a starting point for an OS design.

Windows Thin Client Shell Tools and Applications

The following table shows the tools and applications that are available in the Windows Thin Client Shell.

Tool or application	Description
Connection Manager	Connection Manager for the Windows Thin Client Shell calls the helper applications of the shell. The shell obtains client information from the registry for all connection software that is installed on the system. The shell does not manage unregistered software.
Helper applications	Helper applications help thin client users complete common tasks. Each thin client must have a helper application wizard to create new connections. Other helper applications may include an application to call, to modify connection properties, delete a connection, or to handle the licensing agreement process.
Property sheets	Property sheets enable the user to change terminal settings after the Setup wizard has first configured the thin client. The user can access the property sheets by pressing the F2 key. For information about how to customize the Setup wizard and property sheets, see Customizing the Setup Wizard and Property Sheets for a Thin Client.
Screen saver	A screen saver is a program that runs while the system is idle to simulate movement on the display screen. There are three possible types of screen savers: blank, floating-style, and tile-style. These screen-saver types are available as public source code. For more information about these screen-saver types, see Configuring Screen Savers in Thin Client.
Task manager	Task Manager for the Windows Thin Client Shell maintains a list of the top-level windows that are running, and enables a user to switch to or stop an application. However, it does not provide a navigation bar in the user interface. Instead, the user switches to different programs by using keyboard shortcuts or the F2 key.
TS CAL Maintenance tool	This Control Panel tool displays Terminal Services (TS) licenses to the user. For information about this tool, see TS CAL Maintenance Tool.
WTC Connection Wizard	This wizard guides the user through configuring a new connection to a server that is running Terminal Services. This wizard is available as public source code.

For more information, see Customizing the Setup Wizard and Property Sheets for a Thin Client.

See Also

Concepts

Thin Client Shell
Standard Shell Overview
Configuring the Windows Thin Client Shell