This is because in Windows Vista, the Logon Screen is now embedded within a DLL file (C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll) instead of EXE file which can be easily manage using regedit tool.
Since the file is a DLL extension, how we going to modify it?
Here's the answer:
1. Download this program: Resource Hacker
2. Extract it and Run ResHacker.exe
3. Go to File and Open, browse to C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll and open the file.
4. Once open, you will see IMAGE, MUI and etc... expand IMAGE and you will see 50xx -> 1033
*1033 - represent english language. If you use another language, you have different language code here.
*50xx - is a resolution, xx represent different resolution and here is the list.
5031 = 1280x1024
5032 = 1280x960
5033 = 1024x768
5034 = 1600x1200
5035 = 1440x900
5036 = 1920x1200
5037 = 1280x768
5038 = 1360x768
5039 = 1024x1280
5040 = 960x1280
5041 = 900x1440
5042 = 768x1280
5043 = 768x1360
5. Right Click on 1033 and select Replace Resource.
6. Click on "Open file with new resource..." button and browse your favourite wallpaper.
Then enter the following:
Resource Type = IMAGE
Resource Name = 5031 (if your wallpaper resolution is 1280x1024)
Resource Language = 1033 (depend on your language)
7. Press Replace. Repeat the process above for all 50xx images that you want to change. When done go File and Save as... and save the file as imageres.dll in other location. (e.g. Documents).
8. So, how we going to save and replace the original file since it is a protected file? Follow the steps below:
9. By default, local admin has read only permission on c:\windows\system32\imageres.dll and the owner is trusted installation. To Take the ownership of the file:
- Right Click on imageres.dll and Properties
- Go to Security Tab
- Go to Advanced
- Go to Owner Tab
- Click Edit
- Rename the current C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll to C:\Windows\System32\imageres_original.dll.
- Copy your modified imageres.dll into c:\windows\system32\.
IMPORTANT!
Use at your own risk, do not modify/change/edit the settings of imageres.dll if you are insure of it. Always make a backup before perform any changes to the original file.
Related Topic:
Change Windows XP Logon Screen Manually
5 comments:
I receive a comment from reader that this trick is not working as they couldn't find the 1033 within the imageres.dll. And I wonder why would this happen. Because I verify the content again by open imageres.dll using 3 different machine I still able to locate 1033. Perhaps, if this not working. Try this software, LogonStudio Vista. Is a simple and easy to use software that enable you to change whatever Logon screen you wish.
RMM-D, thanks for giving a try and provided me such an useful information.
I have a question. What do you do after the "Click edit" tab. There is no place that let's me rename the file?
You sort of jumped from the "edit" part to renaming it. what do you do in between?
I have the same problem. I think he wanted us to change the owner of the file.
unfortunatley even when doing it there is no way to change name of the file!
Give us an answer, please !!! ;]
Hah! I made it!
After going to security tab go to Edit. There you can change what is necessary.
=]
Hey I got this to work awesome, had to go to safe mode to place the new dll file in place, but that was easy enough. Only question that I have is how to get the log off screen to change also, is that in the same file somewhere?
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