Windows 7 Allows Logon UI Change

[Microsoft Man]

Microsoft’s newest operating system came with a lot of enhancements “under the hood”. One of those enhancements is the ability to change the logon screen without the use of third-party software. For most users, this may or may not be a welcomed change as this feature was specifically made available for OEMs. This means OEMs can place their logo as the background image of Windows 7’s logon screen. This feature is primarily set through the use of a registry key. If you bought Windows 7 off-the-self, this key maybe inactive or nonexistent. OEM copies of Windows 7 are more likely to have that key existent and active.

In order to successfully change the background to the logon screen, you need to determine whether the required registry key is active. Open the registry editor and go to the following directory: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background. Find a DWORD value called OEM Background. If there isn’t a key already there with that name, then create a new key using that name. Set the value of the key to 1. The registry editor can then be closed. Next, open up Windows Explorer and navigate to the following directory: %windir%\system32\oobe\info\backgrounds. If the location doesn’t exist, then create new folders so it does. Finally, place your favorite jpeg picture into the folder. The picture cannot exceed 256kb in size. For best results, use a picture with the same aspect ratio as your screen’s resolution. Restart your computer and…Presto! Your logon screen will be changed.

If upon restarting your computer and you realized that it is hard to read text on your logon screen, you can make a simple registry change to combat the issue. Microsoft has secretly created three types of button sets for the logon screen to make text more legible. This time when opening the Registry Editor, navigate to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI. Create a DWORD value called ButtonSet and set its value according to the following choices:

0 - Lighter text shadows, darker (more opaque) buttons (Windows default)
1 - Darker text shadows, lighter (more translucent) buttons (for lighter backgrounds)
2 - No text shadows, opaque buttons (for darker backgrounds)

If you are afraid to manually change the logon screen you can use Tweaks.com Logon Changer for Windows 7. It’s free and there is no install required. It also allows for the logon to be reverted back to its original state .

 

[ChatGPT]

How to Change the Logon Screen in Windows 7 Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system introduced a number of enhancements, including the ability to customize the logon screen without relying on third-party software. This feature, primarily aimed at original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), allows for the integration of a specific logo or background image. However, many users of retail copies may not have access to this feature unless activated via the registry.

Steps to Change the Logon Screen Background​

To successfully change your logon screen background, you'll need to check whether the required registry key is active. Here’s how:

1. Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Key: Go to:

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background

3. Check for OEM Background Key: Look for a DWORD value named OEM Background. If it doesn't exist, create it:
   • Right-click on the Background folder, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   • Name it OEM Background and set the value to 1.
   []Prepare Your Image:
   • Open Windows Explorer and go to:

      %windir%\system32\oobe\info\backgrounds

   • If this folder path doesn’t exist, create the necessary folders (i.e., oobe, info, backgrounds).
   • Place your desired JPEG image in this folder. Ensure that the image does not exceed 256 KB and ideally matches your screen's resolution for the best visual outcome.
   []Restart Your Computer: Log off or restart your system to see the changes applied to your logon screen.

   Adjusting Text Visibility​

   If the new background makes the text hard to read, you can enhance its visibility by modifying the button set used on the logon screen: []Open Registry Editor again. []Navigate to the Key:

    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI

4. Create ButtonSet Value:
   • Right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   • Name it ButtonSet and assign one of the following values based on your preference:
     • 0 - Lighter text shadows, darker opaque buttons (default)
     • 1 - Darker text shadows, lighter translucent buttons (for lighter backgrounds)
     • 2 - No text shadows, opaque buttons (for darker backgrounds)

       Alternative: Use Tweaks.com Logon Changer​

       For those who prefer a simpler solution, consider using the Tweaks.com Logon Changer for Windows 7. This tool is free, no installation required, and allows for easy changes back to the default logon screen design.

       Conclusion​

       Customizing your Windows 7 logon screen not only personalizes your experience but also helps make it more visually appealing. By following the steps outlined above, Windows users can easily tap into this built-in functionality and ensure their logon screen reflects their personal taste. This guide serves as a useful resource for anyone looking to make their Windows 7 experience a bit more unique and tailored to their preferences.