Windows 7 Theme As PC is booting

well the location of the windows 7 themes are C:\windows\resources\themes

the default wallpaper is c:\windows\web\wallpaper

Oh sorry, didn't realize what you were asking at first. You are looking for the boot screen.

This is C:\windows\system32\background.bmp.

This is the image displayed while booting.

Hi Fire fly321 -

Thanks for responding.

I down in c:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\Windows and I can see the unwanted Microsoft logo jpg file (it's named img0.jpg). I figured out that there a various replacement image files with different resolutions. I've got one that's 1920x1080 which fits the situation.

Now, when I go to replace the existing Microsoft file it says:

"You require permission from TrustedInstaller to make changes to this file."

So, it isn't good enough that I paid $300 for a copy of Windows 7, they want me to check with someone's mother to see if what I want to do is okay.

What do I have to do to get around this?

You should be able to change the destination to your image for each user in the registry

\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\General

Trustedinsaller is the os. You have to take ownership of the file and grant everyone permissions

Hi hQWeedEater -

No comprende. I am trying to change the screens that appear as I boot up so they all have a consistent appearance - and the image I want to display. I can change the theme and wallpaper when I have logged in, but not before.

Well, that was quite an involved process.

But, the darn thing still doesn't work. When I boot up, I see this Windows 7 screen. It's kind of a greenish blue tone with a very small, white dove and spagetti strands flowing from right to left. I think you know the one.

I get this unwanted screen (or wall paper) whenever I boot up or shut down.

Well here is a program i have used in the past. It has a feature to Set custom background on Welcome screen . Not sure if that is what you are looking for.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/ultimate-windows-tweaker-v2-a-tweak-ui-for-windows-7-vista

Well, I haven't had much success here.

I found background.bmp in the c:\windows\system32\oobe subdirectory. I changed it and that had no effect on displaying a background of my chosing on boot up.

I checked the entire c:\windows and the c:\users directories looking for any bmp or jpg files that might have a role to play. Nothing turned up that appeared to be used on boot up.

Whatever is displayed on boot up may be stored in a DLL.

Does anyone have any other ideas?

I have some progress to report.

First, if anyone else is at all interested in what I am trying to do, they should refer to:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5382-log-screen-change.html?filter%5B2%5D=Appearance%20Personalize

This web pages describes four or five techniques to accomplish the same end. However, the bottom line seems to be that you should rename the replacement image file you want to use as "backgroundDefault.jpg" and put in the c:\windows\system32\oobe\info\backgrounds subdirectory. You may use one of the executables described above to accomplish this, or do it manually. If this subdirectory does not exist on your 32-bit computer, create it.

If you have a 64-bit computer, the image should be placed into c:\windows\syswow64  _ \oobe\info\backgrounds subdirectory.

Then the secret is to prepare a version of the image file you intend to use in the proper resolution for your monitor. In my case that was a resolution of 1920 x 1080. If you don't adapt the image for the display, the result will either be very grainy or too small for the available screen space. That's it.

I'd like to thank Fire fly321 for at least set me off in the right direction. He also educated in how to change the ownership of certain jpg and bmp files from TrustedInstaller to Administrators.