Is there a way to run a specific program on the Ctrl-Alt-Delete desktop.

Our internal developers have created a program that they want the users to have access to BEFORE logging in. Is there any way to accomplish this?

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This is a bad idea. If you could get a program to run on that desktop then it could intercept anything typed into the username and password box. Stay clear of the security nightmare!! – nate Aug 30 '11 at 20:42
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Sometimes we are asked to implement bad ideas – user93204 Aug 30 '11 at 20:44
I'm thinking the answer is no. I'm also thinking that if you were to enable Tablet PC mode, the keyboard shown on the login screen lives somewhere (C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe?) and with enough hacking could be replaced by something that isn't a keyboard. Of course, in Tablet PC mode this "keyboard" would pop up all over the place at the wrong times, so the answer is probably still no. – DerfK Aug 30 '11 at 20:58
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It is possible -- the Cisco VPN client does this with it's Start Before Login feature. The Stack Overflow crowd might have more details, but you might try looking for documentation on the "Pre-Login Access Provider" or PLAP feature in Windows Vista and later. I believe Windows XP uses a different method to allow this functionality with something called "Graphical Identification and Authentication" or GINA.

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