Windows 7 Boot Process
1. Power button triggers firmware Power-On Self Test (POST) which
detects valid system disk.
2. Firmware reads master boot record (MBR) and starts
BOOTMGR.EXE, which loads WINLOAD.EXE on boot partition.
3. Essential drivers required to start Windows kernel are loaded and
kernel begins to run, loading the system registry hive.
4. Kernel passes control to session manager (SMSS.EXE) which
initializes the system session and loads more drivers.
5. WINLOGON.EXE displays logon screen, services are started, Group
Policy scripts are run. When user logs in, Windows creates user
session.
6. EXPLORER.EXE displays the desktop.