Customizing Logon Screen Background in Windows 7

When I first started to customize logon screens in Windows using a resource hacker to replace bitmaps in logon screen DLL files was the only way. This would get the job done but it would also break digital signatures on the system files, something that Microsoft values more and more with each OS release.  For the first time in Windows with the Windows 7 release, Microsoft is providing the ability to customize the logon screen background without hacking any system files.

Using a feature that was originally designed for OEM computer manufactures like Dell and others to brand their computers, everyone can now safely customize their Windows 7 logon screen background.

The actual process requires creating some registry keys, folders and files. To simplify the process I created a free utility called the Tweaks.com Logon Changer that will allow you change the logon screen background with just a few clicks.

 

After you download and start the utility just click Change Logon Screen and then select your new background. 

 

The new background will be active as soon as you select the new background. Click Test to see it in action.

Make sure that the background you select is smaller than 256KB, otherwise it will be rejected because of a size limitation set by Microsoft.

If you want to remove your customized background just click Revert to Default Logon Screen and the registry changes will be removed.

Click here to visit the Tweaks.com Logon Changer Web page and download for free.

If you would like to manually tweak your logon screen by editing the registry and copying files visit Rafael's tutorial here. 

Customise Windows 7 Login Screen

Changing the background of your login screen may seem trivial, especially when you consider that you’re only there to enter your password, but if you’re like us then you like your computer personalised right down to every little detail. The login screen is no exception.

Previously third party applications were needed in order to customise the login interface at all, however Windows 7 has made it easier than ever abolishing the need for any third party apps. Just follow some simple steps below and you’ll be looking at your own customised login screen in no time.

This guide takes roughly 10 minutes to complete and is suitable for anyone competent around a computer.

STEP 1) First off you want to go into your start menu, and type regedit into your searchbox followed by a hit of the enter key. This will open a registry editing program.

STEP 2) In the left hand column of the program is a list of folders. Right click on the folder that’s named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and select find.

STEP 3) In the find window which should have now appeared, search for OEMBackground. The search should have returned a file named OEMBackground, just to verify that it is the correct file check the location by looking in the bottom of the window. The location should beHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background.

*Note, if the location doesn’t match, or if there is no search result then you’ll need to add the registry yourself. To do so browse toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Backgroundby using the folders in the left hand column. Once there right click in a white space and select new -> DWORD (32-bit) Value -> name it OEMBackground.

STEP 4) Double click the registry named OEMBackground and change it’s value data from 0 to 1.

!IMPORTANT, changing registry values incorrectly can cause serious harm to your computer and cause the loss of valuable files or system operability. Ensure you are editing the correct value before continuing.

STEP 5) Now you want to close the registry editor and open Windows Explorer or Computer. Paste the following into your address bar %windir%\system32\oobe and hit enter.

STEP 6) In the same window, create a new folder named info and then open it. Inside the info folder create another new folder, this time named backgrounds .

STEP 7) Now you get to choose the picture you want to display as your login screen background. Select any image under 245KB in size and copy it into the backgrounds folder we just created. There you’ll need to rename your image to backgroundDefault.jpg.

That’s it. You can log off or reboot and come back to your very own custom log in screen. If yours isn’t working, don’t fret just yet. Go back through the guide and make sure you followed each step carefully, and spelled all filenames correctly. It’s also very important that your image is under 245KB in size or it will not work.