Windows 7 to officially support logon UI background customization

[DerAusgewanderte]

Install Logon Studio Vista. It is free if you use pre built logons. If you want to build your own you have to buy it.

http://download.cnet.com/LogonStudio-Vista...4-10696252.html

yeah, I know I can use logonstudio. the point was that no 3rd party software is necessary. I guess I just create the background folder and copy some of my own in there.

thanks

edit 1: not working. not sure why

edit 2: added the same folders here: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\oobe but still doesn't work.

Edited March 16, 2009 by starless.bible.black

[winlonghorn]

There is the hard way and the easy way. I chose the easy way.

That won't be the easy way soon if they listen to feedback and add it to themes. ;)

[pasty2k2]

Cool so it works, just gotta create the relevant directories.

Im wondering where the article got that second, orangey theme from though? Are there more? Doesnt explain in the article any more than the OP displayed.

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

No.

This is a new feature of Windows 7 which doesn't require any third-party software :)

Although, Logon Studio Vista is handy and does have some extra features.

Yes!

Without Logon Studio Vista you have to hack the registry. From the OP.

First, a check is made to determine if the customization functionality is enabled or not. More precisely, a registry value named OEMBackground in the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background key is checked. Its data, of Boolean type, defines whether or not this behavior is turned on, i.e. 1 for enabled, 0 for disabled. This value may not exist by default, depending on your system.

Afterwards, if customization is enabled, the primary monitor?s screen height and width are retrieved via calls to GetSystemMetrics. These values are used in the computation of the screen width (w)/height (h) ratio. For example, my desktop resolution is 1920?1200. The ratio, computed by the division of w/h, is 1.6:1.

The result of this computation is looked up in an internal table that drives what image to load on disk. Although I don?t have a large enough monitor to test, it appears resolutions higher than 1920?1200 will force the loading and zooming of an image of closest compatibility (i.e. same ratio, smaller image).

As this is an OEM feature images are derived from %windir%\system32\oobe\info\backgrounds. Like the registry value, this folder may not exist by default. The following files are supported in this folder:

* backgroundDefault.jpg

* background768?1280.jpg

* background900?1440.jpg

* background960?1280.jpg

* background1024?1280.jpg

* background1360?768.jpg

* background1280?768.jpg

* background1920?1200.jpg

* background1440?900.jpg

* background1600?1200.jpg

* background1024?768.jpg

* background1280?960.jpg

* background1280?1024.jpg

[Calum Veteran]

Yes!

Without Logon Studio Vista you have to hack the registry. From the OP.

<snipped quote>

Yes, that is what this thread is about - the news that you can change the Logon screen image by editing the registry and not by using third party software.

Why confuse users by saying they have to use third party software? You've already confused one user. You have a thread about the benefits of Logon Studio Vista, so why not just stay on topic in this thread? :)

Back on topic...

I can't see Microsoft not allowing the user to customise this in the Control Panel. They'd be uproar if they didn't ;)

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Yes, that is what this thread is about - the news that you can change the Logon screen image by editing the registry and not by using third party software.

Why confuse users by saying they have to use third party software? You've already confused one user. You have a thread about the benefits of Logon Studio Vista, so why not just stay on topic in this thread. Thank you :)

Back on topic...

I can't see Microsoft not allowing the user to customise this in the Control Panel. They'd be uproar if they didn't ;)

How many normal type users hack their registry? Most don't even know how to remove spyware. If MS is going to place this in the OS they need to do it in a way that does not involve getting into the registry. I confused no one!

[Calum Veteran]

I confused no one!

Erm... -

?

I thought this was a Windows feature, it doesnt say anywhere that we have to download anything for W7 7057, just that prior to this build if we wanted this functionality we had to use third party software right?

You did, Gary7 :)

How many normal type users hack their registry? Most don't even know how to remove spyware. If MS is going to place this in the OS they need to do it in a way that does not involve getting into the registry.

I agree with this on-topic comment. I think Microsoft would be stupid not to include this as a feature in the Control Panel. Many users I know don't even know what the registry is :D

[Caveman-ugh]

Yes, that is what this thread is about - the news that you can change the Logon screen image by editing the registry and not by using third party software.

Why confuse users by saying they have to use third party software? You've already confused one user. You have a thread about the benefits of Logon Studio Vista, so why not just stay on topic in this thread? :)

Back on topic...

I can't see Microsoft not allowing the user to customise this in the Control Panel. They'd be uproar if they didn't ;)

I totally agree with you, using regedit might be alright for some who know what to do with regedit, but I don't !!!

Please if you are going to do this microsoft make it so that EVERYONE can use it !

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

Hope they add this to the Control Panel. I NEVER mess withe the registry, learnt that the hard way x_X.

[Chris-Gonzales]

I wonder if this will be part of the "themes"

[pasty2k2]

Yes, that is what this thread is about - the news that you can change the Logon screen image by editing the registry and not by using third party software.

Why confuse users by saying they have to use third party software? You've already confused one user. You have a thread about the benefits of Logon Studio Vista, so why not just stay on topic in this thread? :)

Back on topic...

I can't see Microsoft not allowing the user to customise this in the Control Panel. They'd be uproar if they didn't ;)

Exactly.

Anyway, Im not sure they will add it in. I really hope they do, but I have an annoying suspicion they just wont, for no reason. Theyve done that before.

There is also the ability to change backgrounds in Windows Media Player 12, but they dont allow you to do this through any option - it too is defined using a reg setting. This was introduced back in either build 7000 or way back in a pre-beta build, and it still hasnt shown its face properly.

Methinks the WMP background option along with this logon screen option will both be ignored in RTM, and just left there. I really hope neither are though, as both are awesome and very unlike MS - if they can add them in properly, changeable by the end user, they would be heading in the best direction they ever have.

[winlonghorn]

I wonder if this will be part of the "themes"

I don't see why it would be that hard for them to do that. After all, they simply have to modify the code in the theme system to allow it read that part of a theme file and act accordingly on the info\backgrounds folder. :) After that, they simply add the option to the control panel and that option would call the method that reads/writes that part of the file. :)

Edit: If they are going to do something, they should do it the whole way. They can't really use the branding argument either (now that they allow oems to do this). The oems are changing the branding a bit as well if they allow them to do this. All or nothing is what I say. :)

[CheeseFart]

hmm, mine doesn't have anything under %windir%\system32\oobe\info. maybe because I upgraded instead of clean install? any hints?

it doesn't say that the files are there, but it says what files it supports just add them yourself.

also, no 1680x1050 default image? So I would get some stretched image, oh great

[pasty2k2]

I wonder if this will be part of the "themes"

Now that would be awesome. If they can allow customizing of a boot screen as well, and tie it to a theme, that would be fantastic - but I think im being a bit too optimistic.

While I worry that MS wont bother putting this in properly, I really hope they do. Im going to assume they will as this is the first time weve seen it, just hope it doesnt get ignored outright.

[KoL Veteran]

Good now let us customize the msstyle. :D

[DerAusgewanderte]

it doesn't say that the files are there, but it says what files it supports just add them yourself.

also, no 1680x1050 default image? So I would get some stretched image, oh great

added the folders and files and changed registry. even added the folder to C:\Windows\SysWOW64\oobe but still doesn't work (yes, rebooted)

[pasty2k2]

Edit: If they are going to do something, they should do it the whole way. They can't really use the branding argument either (now that they allow oems to do this). The oems are changing the branding a bit as well if they allow them to do this. All or nothing is what I say. :)

I agree, but bare in mind that this is the first time weve seen this, and its in the most currently leaked build - hence, its a work in progress. Were not meant to even know about this yet, if MS had their way with releases. We would all still be stuck on build 7000!

Has anyone found any logon screens like the one displayed in the article?

[Nemo Live]

How many normal type users hack their registry? Most don't even know how to remove spyware. If MS is going to place this in the OS they need to do it in a way that does not involve getting into the registry. I confused no one!

It's incomplete Gary. If you follow Raf's blog he does his best to dig into the layers of the builds to see what they're working on and not yet enabled. He was the one who found and unlocked the super bar in PDC build . For all we know as Calum indicated we might see this feature available via a panel in CP personalization come RC or RTM.

[Brad.]

I don't think that it is ugly. :/ I am glad Microsoft is moving towards a customizable Windows out of the box. :D

Agreed! I thought it was really good :p

Loving the ability to change the log on background (Y)

[fix-this!]

i actually gave microsoft feedback that we should be able to customize 7 without the need for 3rd party apps, maybe they listened? ;)

[pasty2k2]

i actually gave microsoft feedback that we should be able to customize 7 without the need for 3rd party apps, maybe they listened? ;)

Who knows, maybe. I thought by beta/close to RC, MS wouldnt add any more features. While this isnt a ground breaking one, its pretty cool they seem to still be putting nifty little things in to keep Windows fresh. Its the small things that count just as much as the big ones.

[DerAusgewanderte]

added the folders and files and changed registry. even added the folder to C:\Windows\SysWOW64\oobe but still doesn't work (yes, rebooted)

got it to work finally. had to change the resolution of the image exactly to my screen resolution though. fantastic!

Edited March 16, 2009 by starless.bible.black

[winlonghorn]

I agree, but bare in mind that this is the first time weve seen this, and its in the most currently leaked build - hence, its a work in progress. Were not meant to even know about this yet, if MS had their way with releases. We would all still be stuck on build 7000!

Has anyone found any logon screens like the one displayed in the article?

Oh yes, I know that lol. That is why I suspect that we may be in for a surprise! ;) As far as my comment, I simply meant that would probably be thinking that if they are going to enable this that they will need to allow us all to do it (to avoid backlash). :)

[dcoaster]

I think the reason this is so awkward a process is because I think MS wants to give OEMs the ability to customize the logon screen, not necessarily the users. But that's just a guess and may be proved wrong come RC.

[winlonghorn]

I think the reason this is so awkward a process is because I think MS wants to give OEMs the ability to customize the logon screen, not necessarily the users. But that's just a guess and may be proved wrong come RC.

Could this be why there supposedly now a rc2 for windows 7 coming?