How to Change the Windows 7 Logon Background

If you're like me, then you like to be able to customize your OS. This tutorial will show you how to change your Windows 7 logon background.

There are a few restrictions when changing your logon background. The file you want to use as the background must be a .JPG file and it must be smaller than 256kb.

For people who have Windows 7 Home Premium, follow these steps:

1. Open the Run Dialog by pressing the Windows Key+R. Type in REGEDIT and then press ENTER

2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\AUTHENTICATION\LOGONUI\BACKGROUND

3. Double click on OEMBackground and in the box that opens up, change the value to 1 and press the OK button

4. Next, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\POLICIES\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\

5. Right click on Windows, then choose New --> Key and name it System

6. In the white panel on the right side of the window, Right click and choose New --> DWORD (32-bit) and rename it to OEMBackground. Double click on UseOEMBackground and change the value to 1

7. Exit your Registry and open Windows Explorer. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds

8. Next, find the picture you want to use and rename it to BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.JPG and replace the current logon background

9. Now, close all of the windows, log off and you should see your new background.

For people who have Windows 7 Ultimate, follow these steps:

1. Open the Run Dialog by pressing the Windows Key+R. Type in GPEDIT.MSC and then press ENTER

2. This will open up the Local Group Policy Editor. Navigate to COMPUTER CONFIGURATION\ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES\SYSTEM\LOGON

3. Then double click on Always Use Custom Logo

4. Next, choose ENABLE in the new window that pops up, then click OK to close the window. Then close the Local Group Policy Editor.

5. Open Windows Explorer. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds

6. Next, find the picture you want to use and rename it to BACKGROUNDDEFAULT.JPG and replace the current logon background

7. Now, close all of the windows, log off and you should see your new background.

Changing your logon background makes Windows 7 fun!