Many of you are thinking slc.dll is the whole RedPill, but NO, IT IS NOT.

The real RedPill is "shsxs.dll", right that file doesnt exist, it is loaded
at runtime(if it exists), and you need to write your own!

And thats your challenge.

So what did I found out about the RedPill "shsxs.dll" so far?

The shsxs.dll is loaded dynamically from the following files (might be more):

TWINUI, EXPLORER, SHELL32, IEUI, DUSER, THUMBCACHE

So if that file exists, the named files above are trying to load the dll,
after that, it checks if the required functions are in the dll, and if so,
the functions are getting called.

I've found the following functions so far:

RP_VersionCheck() Return Value: 23
RP_Enabled() 1 Return Value: 1
RP_InitLauncherDataLayer(int, int, int) Return Value: 1

RP_CFolderThumbnail_ReadSettingsFromRegistry() Return Value: 1/0
RP_CFolderThumbnail_GetSize(int, int_pointer, int) Return Value: I dont know.
RP_CFolderThumbnail_GetCoordinates(int, int_pointer/x, int_pointer/y) Return Value: I dont know.

RP_PrivateExtractIconsW() That will be the hardest, look at the original "PrivateExtractIconsW()" and try to rewrite it. But there's a little problem, you should know.

RP_CallScheduleGadgetTransitions(int_pointer) Return Value: 1

M1 only (twinui):

RP_VersionCheck() Return Value: 65544 (yes, that value is correct)
RP_GetLayoutManagerBandDependencies(int, int) Return Value: 1
RP_PickerSetDUIContext(int) Return Value: 1


M2 only (7927):

RP_VersionCheck() Return Value: 22



I've been able to write such a dll, but it doesn't work to 100%.
I can tell you, the first three functions are to 100% correct.

So it would be cool if anyone is able to write a fully working dll.

And before I forget it, you need to add a Registry Key: HKCU \ .... \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced : SHSXSWasEnabled 1 (And ofc, RPEnabled 1).

Another Challenge: Find out what the following RegistryKey does: Explorer\YouBettaHideYoPearl, and what it's required value is (Explorer.exe). solved: hides the startbutton.

Hint: This will work in M1 too.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<migration urlid="http://www.microsoft.com/systemreset/1.0/RPSettings">
<component context="System" type="System">
<displayName _locID="Rejuv.RPPayload">System Reset RP Payload</displayName>
<role role="Settings">
<rules>
<include>
<objectSet>
<pattern type="File">%SYSTEM32% [shsxs.dll]</pattern>
<pattern type="File">%SYSTEM32% [SysResetRedPill.xml]</pattern>
<pattern type="Registry">HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer [RPEnabled]</pattern>
<pattern type="Registry">HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer [RPInstalled]</pattern>
<pattern type="Registry">HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer [RPStore]</pattern>
<pattern type="Registry">HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\&gt;{8E7E60C6-4CE5-476D-9E31-FD450F3F792F} [IsInstalled]</pattern>
<pattern type="Registry">HKLM\Software\RegisteredApplications [Immersive Browser]</pattern>
<pattern type="Registry">HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\7721AC1150970D0B6A4B47AAEA73770712C907C5\* [*]</pattern>
</objectSet>
</include>
</rules>
</role>
</component>
<component context="User" type="System">
<displayName _locID="Rejuv.RPUserPayload">System Reset RP User Payload</displayName>
<role role="Settings">
<rules context="User">
<include>
<objectSet>
<pattern type="File">%CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA% [redpill.exe]</pattern>
<pattern type="Registry">HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer [RPEnabled]</pattern>
<pattern type="Registry">HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer [RPInstalled]</pattern>
</objectSet>
</include>
</rules>
</role>
</component>
</migration>

Ok guys this is really not worth pursuing 7989 did not have a working copy of the metro interface. At that point in the development cycle the coding for metro inside of 7989 was still being coded. Some of the coding sections were still commented from what I've been told they were still making the graph paper like interface for the start page. In other words what you will unlock is something that is sin ugly you can't do this by legal methods. Your going to need to open up a hex editor and force enable it which is not legal. Its locked on the coding level meaning its hard locked nothing you do in the registry will force enable it you need to mod the files.

More to the point, crucial files have been left out the builds we have...

@ DarkerJ its illegal to modify coding which is still used today on computers so hence coding from a beta could conceivably be still used in the RTM.

In case anyone hasn't noticed, I've updated my above post with a comparison of the apparent Build 7989 screenshot and the D9 version of the Start screen.

The two look quite similar, actually, infact, I've noticed a lot of common apps, as well as similar designs for the Metro tiles.

Here is a comparison between the apparent Build 7989 version of the Start screen, and the D9 version.

Build 7989 version (some people have questioned its authenticity, but it still looks to me to be quite real):


D9 version:


You can see quite a lot of similarity, such as the Internet Explorer, Mail, Calendar, and Weather tiles being almost entirely the same, among several other things.

Personally, I believe that the Build 7989 version is real, since it not only looks quite similar to the D9 version in several aspects, but the date that it was posted also seems too close to the date on which Build 7989 was leaked for it to be fake. But, until we actually see anything for ourselves, everyone here is free to have their own individual opinions regarding such.

EDIT: Accidentally edited my old post instead of making a new one. By the way, here is the original link to the Build 7989 Start screen screenshot:
http://www.everything-microsoft.com/2011/06/21/windows-8-build-7989-screenshots-metro-ui/

Here is a comparison between the apparent Build 7989 version of the Start screen, and the D9 version.

Build 7989 version (some people have questioned its authenticity, but it still looks to me to be quite real):


Personally, I believe that the Build 7989 version is real, since it not only looks quite similar to the D9 version in several aspects, but the date that it was posted also seems too close to the date on which Build 7989 was leaked for it to be fake. But, until we actually see anything for ourselves, everyone here is free to have their own individual opinions regarding such.

@ DarkerJ its illegal to modify coding which is still used today on computers so hence coding from a beta could conceivably be still used in the RTM.

It would be interesting however I had more interest in the release preview (shrugs) the person I know who got it working sadly threw the modification away. Its a bit frivolous at this point as the best build in my mind was the RP cause it was so fun to see Aero and Metro working side by side quite well

Lemme download and install 7989 and install Rainmeter with Omnimo skin on top of it and produce maybe even exact picture like this one.
EDIT : I think I have the right to say... close enough... (Ignore the date, it was just to prevent the timebomb to explode )

EDIT2 : WinPC, if you look closely at the 7989 screenshot and the "PayPal" tile you can see the word "Omnimo" in second line of text