July 27, 2012

Change and customize Windows 7's Logon screen [using regedit]

While experimenting with several Microsoft Windows 7 systems recently, I spent a lot of time staring at the Logon screen. During that time, I began to think about changing the Logon screen wallpaper. So I started googling ways and methods for changing the welcome screen wallpaper.

I am using Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, and after editing/creating some registry entries, I am able to change my logon screen wallpaper just like shown below:




STEPS

Optional: Two images have been used for this method, Iron Man image can be downloaded from here, and the Arc Reactor image can be downloaded by clicking here!

Finally Microsoft has incorporated a new feature in the latest build (7057) of Windows 7 which supports the end user to change the logon screen background without using any hacks or third-party tools.

In previous version of Windows, user had to use third-parry tools like Tune-Up-Utilities to change the logon screen background. Windows 7 now supports customization of Windows 7 logon screen officially. Replacing the old logon screen is just another task like changing wallpaper (Desktop background).


Follow the procedure below to change the Windows 7 logon screen:

1) Press  Win+R and type regedit there and then press enter.

Note: Editing the Windows Registry file is not without its risks, so be sure you have a verified backup before making any changes.

You will encounter a UAC when you launch the Registry Editor.

2) Once the Registry Editor launches, locate and right-click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key and select the Find command. When you see the Find dialog box, type OEMBackground in the text box and make sure that only the Values check box is selected.


3) If OEMBackground not found, create a new DWORD (32-bit value), name it OEMBackground and modify its value date from 0 to 1.


3) To complete this part of the operation, click OK to close the Edit DWORD dialog box and then close the Registry Editor.

4) Now launch Windows Explorer. Then navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\Oobe folder. Once you access the Oobe folder, click the New Folder button in the Windows Explorer toolbar. You’ll see a confirmation dialog box, when you click Continue, the new folder will be created and name it info.

When you click the New Folder button, you’ll encounter a confirmation dialog box.
5) Then, open the info folder, click the New Folder button again, work through the confirmation dialog box, and then name the second new folder backgrounds.

6) You can use any image that you want for your new Logon screen wallpaper. However, the image has to be in JPG format and you need to name it backgroundDefault.jpg. When you copy your file to the Windows\System32\Oobe\info\backgrounds folder, you’ll encounter and will need to work through a confirmation dialog box.

7) Two other things to keep in mind: First, the actual file size of backgroundDefault.jpg cannot exceed 256 KB. Second, you’ll have to use an image whose dimensions match the screen resolution that you are using. If you use a file whose dimensions are smaller, the image will be stretched and may appear distorted. Use Photoshop for altering your image to desired size/pixels/dimensions.
8) You are done. Reboot or Lock your system and see the change.
9) Now go to Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safety > Change your account picture, and then select the image you want to be displayed as your welcome screen avatar.
copy/paste and rename the image as shown above (according to your display resolutions)

The following files (sorted by width-to-height ratio) are supported in C:\Windows\System32\oobe\Info\Backgrounds folder:
* backgroundDefault.jpg
* background768×1280.jpg  (0.6)
* background900×1440.jpg  (0.625)
* background960×1280.jpg  (0.75)
* background1024×1280.jpg (0.8)
* background1280×1024.jpg (1.25)
* background1024×768.jpg  (1.33-)
* background1280×960.jpg  (1.33-)
* background1600×1200.jpg (1.33-)
* background1440×900.jpg  (1.6)
* background1920×1200.jpg (1.6)
* background1280×768.jpg  (1.66-)
* background1360×768.jpg  (1.770833-)


LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK and QUERIES IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW! :)

49 comments:

  1. Hey I tried to do this but the arc reactor is a bit off to the left. Any way I could possibly center it a bit better?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The best way is to resize the Ironman body using Photoshop. Select, copy and paste the Ironman body selection, click Free Transform, check Maintain Constant-Ratio and set that to 75-80%, now fill the remaining space with same color as background. In this way your Ironman would fit in your frame space and the are reactor would hopefully fit in the centre, as I have shown above.

      Thanks for commenting! :)

      Delete
    2. i have info already in the C:\Windows\System32\oobe and if i try to make the another one it will ask if i want to merge it or delete it what should i do with it?

      Delete
  2. Do you think you can do an image for Captain America as well? Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I think I can. Give me your email address, I'll send it as soon as I make it ;)

      Thanks for commenting :)

      Delete
    2. Also could u send it me too thx

      Delete
  3. same problem as alex. can u upload that img. I dont use photoshop :(
    thanks for the guide

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have given a link at the start of the steps to download these images, have a look there!

      Thanks for commenting :)

      Delete
  4. If it possible could you please upload the photoshop? It would be very helpful. Thanks. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry I don't upload softwares on my website, you can download it using torrent.

      Thanks for commenting though :)

      Delete
    2. I think they mean the psd file, to sort out resolution hiccups

      Delete
    3. Oh in that case, I can help. Tell me your display screen resolution!?

      Delete
    4. i need it too. my display screen solution is 1600x900. thanks

      Delete
    5. can u also upload 1920 x 1080. thanks in advance

      Delete
  5. is there any chance to get this pic :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have given a link at the start of the steps to download these images, have a look there!

      Thanks for commenting :)

      Delete
  6. Thank you so much! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. i did all of the steps but the image doesnt appear!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. try again, I have reuploaded the iron man image!

      thanks for the feedback :)

      Delete
  8. I also did all the steps but still get the blue windows 7-screen... help ! :D
    Great guide tho ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The steps are very simple bro. Try it again step-by-step and carefully, you will hopefully succeed :P

      thanks for appreciation though :)

      Delete
  9. Would it be possible to reupload the Wallpaper? The link seems to be broken :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have reuploaded the iron man wallpaper, check that out. Dont worry!

      thanks for the feedback :)

      Delete
  10. Same again i did all the steps exactly as you said but still get the boring blue windows screen can you email me? ax_pyrah@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Please repost the iron man picture!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have reuploaded the iron man wallpaper, check that out. Dont worry!

      thanks for the feedback :

      Delete
  12. please fix the pic link

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please reupload the picture again :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have reuploaded the iron man wallpaper, check that out. Dont worry!

      thanks for the feedback :

      Delete
  14. I have uploaded the iron man picture again... Sorry for inconvenience though... previous server was down for some reason!

    feel free to leave your queries here :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thx work great for me... only problem is the reactor is not positioned correctly. i'm just trying to figure out how to re size the picture

    cheers mate

    ReplyDelete
  16. i try to save the picture into the background folder then it says that i need permission from administrator? please help!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. i have followed every step exactly the same but it still hasn't worked, it is still the plain blue screen :( please help!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for reuploading the picture! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. please reupload the user picture

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey! Ive reached Oobe folder but i dont have an info folder :( Any solutions for me?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Can you re-upload the arc reactor please? :(

    The link is dead

    ReplyDelete
  22. didn't work on my pc too! She-j :(

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey The Arc Reactor link does not work PIZ UPLOAD HELP

    ReplyDelete
  24. i have info already in the C:\Windows\System32\oobe and if i try to make the another one it will ask if i want to merge it or delete it what should i do with it?

    ReplyDelete
  25. hey do you have any other ones like this

    ReplyDelete
  26. In the Info folder. Should you be creating another background folder? Or just put the image on the existing one? I have a background folder and there are backgrounds, so Im not sure if the Iron Man image would appear.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hey, so I was wondering if you had started doing anything like this for Windows 8.1? Specifically the second log in screen. I'd like to create an effect along the lines of the Tardis flying in, but with the solid color "requirement" (I see it as a guideline) I'm having difficulty. Thanks in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Cool Tutorial! Worked like a champ! However it seems the "Arc Reactor" link is dead. Could you please re-post? Thanks! (Looking forward to your other creations)

    ReplyDelete