Windows 7 to support Logon UI background customization

[HappyAndyK]

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.

Although this functionality was designed for OEMs in mind, it is pretty easy to turn on and off using regedit and some images lying around your hard drive.

First, a check is made to determine if the customization functionality is enabled or not. More precisely, a DWORD value named OEMBackground in the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Aut hentication\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.

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.

Source : WithinWindows.

[seti]

Another step forward. Makes you think that they are prepared for a quick releasse of 7 no matter what they are say offically

[tweakwindows]

A welcome move my MS. Now it's almost simple to change the logon background like desktop background.

[nitinagarwal1988]

quite interesting, no need to use 3rd party customization apps, MS is trying to provide lots of flexibility in W7....

[roraniel]

All this flexibility is in some regards a double edge sword.

The more flexibility you provide, the more opportunity exist to have someone mess things up. This in hand provides food for criticism of the OS.

"It is total poo, I accidentally deleted a registry key while trying to change my log on screen and now nothing works right, I wish I had bought an Apple".

I hope MS is trying to make it somewhat fool proof.