Okay Guys, this will explain the way in which I (Personally) have changed my Windows Vista login screen. the version of Windows Vista I was using at the time was Windows Vista Business, however this should work on any version of Windows Vista. The first time I attempted this was from an on-line tutorial, however it nearly locked me out of my account, however if you follow these instructions (to-the-word) you should have no problems (and I mean to-the-word).

Perform the following at your own risk I provide no guarantees.

Please post any questions/support requests/feedback as a reply.

1. Okay, firstly find an image that you like (really like) because this isn't a 5 minute task (as it was in Windows XP an earlier). Windows Vista makes it 10x harder to change your login picture due to major security enhancements so please, please choose a pictire that you don't mind looking at every time your PC boots up (heres my suggestion for gret looking pictures).

2. Download a tool called "Resource Hacker" from here.

3. Now you need to open a new Window and navigate to "c:\windows\system 32". You need to locate the file "imageres.dll".

4. Take ownership of the file and give yourself full permissions. To do this right click the file, select properties, and the "Security" tab, assign your username full permission over the file and then click okay. Once you have done this you will need to take full ownership of the file. To do this click on the "Advanced" button on the "Security" tab of the eoperties box. Select the "Owner" tab and then click "Edit". Double click your username and then "Apply" and then ok. Close all the perperty windows.

You now have full control to edit the file as you want.

4. Once step 3 has been completed open the file using "Resource Hacker".

5. Look under the "IMAGE" folder and locate the key relating yo your current screen resolution.

5031 = 1280×1024
5032 = 1280×960
5033 = 1024×768
5034 = 1600×1200
5035 = 1440×900
5036 = 1920×1200
5037 = 1280×768
5038 = 1360×768
5039 = 1024×1280
5040 = 960×1280
5041 = 900×1440
5042 = 768×1280
5043 = 768×1360

For a non-listed resolution you should use the key "5031" which will re-size the image for you.

Once you have located the key the relates to your screen resolution right click the resource and selec "Replace Resource". Browse and find the image you wanted to replace it with.

Now its going to ask you for some important information. Enter the following:

Resource Type: IMAGE
Resource Name: 50xx (your screen resolution key above, the 50__ number)
Resource Language: 1033

Your new image will appear on screen once you click "save". Remember to keep a backup of the old file.

If you have any problems please let me know.

The complete result:

Or use windows vista logon studio which is free piece of software and doesent edit DLL files......

Oh wow.. cool! Had no idea how this was possible! I'll have to check this out later when I'm on the Windows PC.

True, but you could have at least provided a link.

LogonStudio Free Download: http://www.stardock.com/products/logonstudio/

This post has been edited by Liveman: Apr 29 2009, 07:49 AM