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! :)