Change your Windows Logon Screen Background

Introduction:

In this tutorial, I will guide you through the very easy process of changing the background image of your Windows Logon Screen. I will start with the method for Windows 7 because it is the newest OS from Microsoft, but will finish with the method for Windows XP, because it is the most popular.

Preparation:

You will need a few things before we continue.

• A JPEG (.jpg for Windows 7, .bmp for Windows XP) image that you want to make your new Logon Screen Background. Please note that this image is limited to 250KB in size.
• This .REG (compressed in .rar from intowindows.com )  file that will be used to create the proper registry settings ( for Windows 7 users )
• An Administrative Account.

If you are a Windows XP user, please scroll down to the heading 'Windows XP'.

Windows 7 

Step 1:

The first and probably most important part is to merge the settings located in the .REG file I mentioned above to the Windows Registry. To do this, navigate to the location you saved the file. After you are there, double click, choose 'Yes' on the Permission Prompt. Then, choose 'Yes' to continue, and 'OK' after t has completed.

Step 2:

After the settings have been merged to the registry, navigate to 'C:\Windows\system32\oobe' and create a new folder called 'Info'. Create yet another folder called 'backgrounds' inside the Info folder.

Finally:

Copy the image you chose above to the folders you just created. The structure should look similar to this 'C:\Windows\system32\oobe\Info\backgrounds\YOUR_IMAGE.jpg'

That's it! Now, when you restart, shutdown or boot up this image will be displayed on the Logon Screen!

Windows XP

Step 1:

Click 'Start', then 'Run'. In the 'Run Dialog Box', type 'regedit'.

Step 2:

After the Windows Registry Editor has opened, navigate to the following key by expanding the boxes to the left. 'HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\CONTROL PANEL\DESKTOP'

Step 3:

After you have expanded the correct keys, you will see several values, one of which is called 'wallpaper'. Double click that value to edit it's content. In the box that appears, type the full path to the image you chose above. i.e 'C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\My Pictures\IMAGE.bmp'  This assumes your username is USER and your image is stored in My Pictures and is named IMAGE.bmp.

Finally:

Click OK and close the Registry Editor. Now, when you logoff, shutdown, restart or logon... you will see your image instead of the default Windows XP image!

Conclusion:

Most people don't realize how easy it actually is to make changes like this. Now that you have changed this, what will you change next?