IT

Customize the Windows 7

Login/Logon Background

February 15, 2011

by Ideen Jahanshahi

Overview
This article outlines the steps required to change the background
image of a computer when you are trying to log into it. Using these
steps you can display an image behind the log in screen as a
reminder to the users. This background can be found
under C:WindowsSystem32oobebackground.bmp and is shown in
the screenshot below.

Default Window’s Background

Customize Your Windows 7 Login

Background
1. Open up your run command. (Fastest way to do is to do ‘Windows Key’ + r)
2. Type in regedit.

3. Find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software> Microsoft > Windows >

CurrentVersion > Authentication > LogonUI > Background
4. Double-click on OEMBackground

5. Change this value to 1.

6. Click Okay and close out of regedit.

7. Open up Windows Explorer or My Computer and navigate to your Windows

directory.

8. In your system32 folder in your windows directory, you’ll need to create a couple
new folders. For the standard user, go to c:windowssystem32oobe and create
a folder labeled info. Inside the info folder, make another folder
called backgrounds.
Your final path should look
like c:windowssystem32oobeinfobackgrounds

9. Place your image in this folder. Note 2 important things:

o 1st: Your file must be labeled backgroundDefault.jpg
o 2ndly: According a handful of sources, your file must less than 256kb in size, but
I have never been able to successfully implement a background unless it was
less than 250kb in size.
10. To test if your background is working correctly, lock your computer with
‘Windows + L.’ Your image should now show up on your Windows Login screen.
11. Alternatively, name your background to work with specific resolutions.
Here are the background names:
o background768×1280.jpg (0.6)
o background900×1440.jpg (0.625)
o background960×1280.jpg (0.75)
o background1024×1280.jpg (0.8)
o background1280×1024.jpg (1.25)
o background1024×768.jpg (1.33-)
o background1280×960.jpg (1.33-)
o background1600×1200.jpg (1.33-)
o background1440×900.jpg (1.6)
o background1920×1200.jpg (1.6)
o background1280×768.jpg (1.66-)
o background1360×768.jpg (1.770833-)