Leaked Windows 7 Build 7057 has many new changes as compared to its ancestor builds 7000, 7048 etc. We have already noted some changes like set of new Windows 7 Wallpapers, New User account pictures and most interesting you can remove many windows 7 component like Internet explorer 8 etc.
Here is another great finding by Rafael Rivera from within windows, you can now officially change Windows 7 Build 7057 login UI background. Windows 7 now supports the ability to load images into the background of the login screen without the use of third-party software or manual hacks.
Steps to Change Windows 7 Build 7057 Logon Background Image
1. press win+r key and Type Regedit at run prompt
2. Locate following registry key
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background
3. Now in right-side pane, change value of OEMBackground to 1.
4. Now place your custom image in %windir%\system32\oobe
5. Create a new folder info and background within newly created info folder
Folder path should look like this %windir%\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds
6. Now place your desired logon wallpaper within this background folder with file name as backgroundDefault.jpg
Images Name with resolutions
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-)
Please NOTE: Images must be less than 256kb in size
The backgroundDefault.jpg image is loaded and stretched-to-fit when a resolution/ratio specific background cannot be found.
41 thoughts on “You Can Customize Windows 7 Logon Background Officially”
it really looks great & great trick.
how about posting links to some sample images as shown in the screenshots?
No HKLM in Reg on Win7 7057 x86, only HKEY. Search for specific file did not turn up anything
Does your computer boot?
Thanks for the write up!
~win 7 fan
This worked for build 7057, but it doesn’t seem to work in build 7068. Can anyone confirm this?
Just tried it on 7068. works great.
Yes, it works again, made a typo :-/
has anyone tried it on win7 beta 7000 x64????
We just released a free program that does it for you. It will reduce the image size to fit into the 256kb limit, and take care of all the registry changes:
http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/index.php/2009/07/change-the-windows-7-logon-background-free-utility/
Just tried it on 7100.
Step 4 is not needed.
Step 6: the files with the resolution in the name do not work (background1600×1200.jpg for ex) .
I created yet another logon background changer :
http://www.julien-manici.com/windows_7_logon_background_changer/
This one has a nice WPF based UI, and needs admin rights only once to change the logon background (great for users who like to change their background often). Works on Windows 7 RC1 and RTM (final version).
Cool. Do you know of a way to change the size of the user picture on this screen? It’s decent size when you have only one user but with two users they get really small. Maybe another handy utility?
yeah the steps work on windows 7 rc and a small changer available for download at http://www.murgee.com allows to select any jpg file and set it as windows 7 background without any fuss
works like a charm..
thx
East or west My logon screen changer is the best
remember to run it as admin
http://download.cnet.com/Logon-Screen-Changer/3000-2105_4-75218509.html
Yes. This works on X64 also.
Just copy the file to C:WindowsSystem32OOBEINFOBackgrounds and make the registry change.
(No need to copy it to the SYSWOW64 folder)
It won’t let me change it back. How do I fix this!
Thanks for the TIP. Have a nice 2011.
i dun have “OEMBackground” appear,so how can i change?
delete every picture in “%windir%System32oobeinfobackgrounds”. Windows will show the default picture
in regedit, where the key should be:
– right click
– click “New…”
– click “DWORD (32-bit) Value”
– call it “OEMBackground”
– set it’s value to be 1
That should work…
i tried it on windows 7 ultimate and it did not change anything. i followed all steps except for the size of the pic which is more than 256kb. anyone who knows why it does not change?
How is this not a ‘manual hack’? The registry is a pile of hacks.
Thanks for making the steps to changing the logon screen wallpaper so easy! In addition to adding personal touches to the background, I wanted to let you know that you can also change the logon box with just a few tweaks. The steps are pretty easy and users are able to get a sleek, modern logon box that didn’t originally make it to the final Windows Vista product. You can find more info on how to do it here: http://bit.ly/dXwmfN
Yeah I did all the above and it still loads the original background
Very good. worked.
Thanks it worked!
Is there easier way..
After following the steps, is there anything you should do to excute it
what about multiple pics in the background? If i have selected 10 pictures for desktop background, and through settings the background image changes after every 5 minutes, can i get this setting also when i lock my win 7?
With some minor troubelshooting, I found that this was not working for me because I had the file titled “backgroundDefault.jpg” even though it was listed as a jpeg. I had to take off the .jpg to change the name to “backgroundDefault” and it worked.
Thank you for publishing this article!
you have to enable “Always use custom logon background” in GPO
open up gpedit.msc go to computer configurationAdministrative TemplatesSystemlogon
Thank you, works absolutely fine :)