Changing Lock Screen on Windows 7

Windows 7 stands as one of the most user-friendly operating systems. However, it does come with some drawbacks. If you wish to make extensive modifications to the system, you'll need to handle a lot of information through the Registry. Changing the lock screen on Windows 7 is no different; it requires navigating through multiple steps. Today, Software Tricks will guide you through the process in detail.

1. Manually Changing Lock Screen

For Windows 7, the lock screen setting feature has been hidden by manufacturers. Nonetheless, you can still utilize this feature by modifying the Registry to enable it without impacting the computer's operation.

Firstly, you need to activate this lock screen feature in the Registry Editor.

Step 1: Open the Start menu and type 'regedit' then press Enter to open it.

Step 2: In the Registry Editor, navigate through the following Folders in order:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Authentication LogonUI Background

Step 3: Now, look to the right section. If you don't see any file named OEMBackground, you need to add this file.

Right-click → New → DWORD (32-bit) and name it OEMgroundground.

Then, we'll have a new file like this:

Step 4: Double-click on

OEMgroundground to edit the value inside. Set Value data to 1 and click OK.

Note: Whenever you change the Theme or customize the interface on your computer, this value will default to 0. You need to redo this step to change it back to 1.

After editing the Registry, we proceed with the installation in the Local Group Policy Editor as follows:

Step 1: Click on Start and type 'gpedit.msc' then press Enter to open it.

Step 2: In the Local Group Policy Editor window, proceed to access the following folders:

Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesSystemLogon

Now, you will see a file named: 'Always use custom login background', double-click it to edit.

Step 4: In the Always use custom login background file, choose Enabled and click OK to save.

That's it for customizing the system settings. The next step is to add an image to the folder so the system recognizes it as the lock screen image.

Step 1: Access the following path: C:WindowsSystem32oobeinfoackgrounds

By default, the oobe directory won't have two subdirectories: info and backgrounds. You need to add these two subdirectories by:

Right-click → New Folder and rename it to info.

Inside the info subdirectory, create another folder named backgrounds as described above.

Step 2: Next, add the image you want to use as the lock screen into the backgrounds folder (Path: C:WindowsSystem32oobeinfoackgrounds)

Then, rename the image to: 'backgroundDefault.jpg'.

Note:

* The image should be in JPG format.

* Size should not exceed 256KB.

Then, press Windows + L to lock the screen and enjoy.

2. Change using software

If you find the manual method time-consuming and difficult, you can use the Windows Logon Background Changer software for quicker installation.

Download Link: http://www.julien-manici.com/windows_7_logon_background_changer/

Thus, Software Tricks has guided you on How to Change Lock Screen on Windows 7 quickly and comprehensively. Good luck to you all!