Almost all of us are aware of Microsoft's upcoming OS Windows 8. Windows 8 comes with lots of new features and GUI changes like new boot screen, login screen, start screen, etc.
Windows 8 login screen is very simple and doesn't feature any eye candy effects like Aero glass reflection, aurora effect, etc. Today we are going to share Windows 8 look-like login screen for Windows 7 users.
This login screen has been created by "PeterRollar" @ DA. This login screen replaces default login screen of Windows 7 with new Windows 8 login screen which looks like following screenshot:
Please NOTE that this login screen can only be used in Windows 7 with SP1 operating system. DO NOT try it if you don't have Service Pack 1 in your Windows 7 system. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available.
To enjoy this login screen in Windows 7, you just need to follow these simple steps:
1. First download following file:
Download Windows 8 Login Screen for Windows 7
Extract the downloaded RAR file using 7-Zip or WinRAR and you'll get 2 folders:
- x64 (64-bit) Files
- x86 (32-bit) Files
Windows 7 32-bit users will need to use files present in "x86 (32-bit) Files" folder and Windows 7 64-bit users will need to use files present in "x64 (64-bit) Files" folder.
Both folders contains following 2 files which are required to have Windows 8 look-like login screen in Windows 7:
- authui.dll
- basebrd.dll
"authui.dll" file is the main file which will provide Windows 8 login screen in Windows 7. "basebrd.dll" file will only replace Windows 7 branding logo which is displayed in bottom-center of login screen with new Windows 8 branding logo.
2. After extracting the downloaded file, go to "C:\Windows\System32" folder and take ownership of authui.dll file. To take ownership, you can take help of following tutorials:
- How to Add "Take Ownership" Option to File or Folder Context Menu in Windows XP, Vista and 7
- [Guide] How to Take Ownership (Permission) of a File or Folder Manually in Windows?
PS: We assume that you have installed Windows 7 in C: drive, if its installed in some other drive in your system, change C:\ to that drive letter.
3. Once you have taken ownership of the file, rename it to some other name like authui_bak.dll
4. Now copy new authui.dll file from the extracted folder to "C:\Windows\System32" folder.
NOTE: 64-bit Windows users will also need to replace "authui.dll" file present in "C:\Windows\SysWOW64" folder.
5. Now go to "C:\Windows\Branding\Basebrd" folder and take ownership of basebrd.dll file.
6. Once you have taken ownership of the file, rename it to some other name like basebrd_bak.dll
7. Now copy new basebrd.dll file from the extracted folder to "C:\Windows\Branding\Basebrd" folder.
8. At last set the "Background.jpg" file present in the downloaded archive as login screen background with the help of following articles:
- How to Customize Windows 7 Login Screen without Using 3rd Party Software?
- Ultimate Collection of the Best Free Tools to Customize Windows 7 Login Screen
9. That's it. Windows will start using the new files and you'll enjoy Windows 8 login screen in Windows 7.
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Windows 7
PinoyRock
I will wait for final release of Windows 8...
sumit_g
looks ugly...IMO
NSDCars5
Ugly, really. Oooh, I so hate blue mixed up with gray with black in it!
Pears
i agree to copy.... microsoft is forgetting fashion sense... its so ugly yak !!!!!!
Akash
its nice,i have changed it now how can i restore the previous win 7 log on screen
VG
^^ Simply rename new files again to some other name and then rename default system files to their original names.
Pak
Windows 8, eh! Very nice! It looks really cool than ever.
St.Jim
I really hate the whole metro interface in Windows 8. The logon with status icons and clock on is the only visually appealing part of the whole OS.
Rif
Ugly... :?() new is ugly the previous logon screen of win 8 was better where to get the previous
Vandanan
Hey Vishal, I did everything as you have mentioned, but in the login screen, i see that only the Windows 7 logo was gone and the buttons looked different, but the background was the same as Windows 7's.
Help!?
Maybe you have a app that can do the trick for me?
Thanks!
VG
^^ You can try following tools:
http://www.askvg.com/ultimate-collection-of-the-best-free-tools-to-customize-windows-7-login-screen/
shabaaz
how do i replace background and png file ?
VG
^^ You can edit the file in Resource Hacker and customize the images. :)
gear4
Coming from a graphics designer, very good.
Chris
does someone know the backward way?
files from windows 7 import to windows 8 ?
so i got the logon from win 7 in win 8 ?
just doing the by copying file from a win7 to a win8 does not help
it ends up in a black screen on windows 8
VG
^^ It'll not work.
sks20
And what about those who don't have service pack 1 like me?Any workaround for this?What error will occur if applied on the version without the service pack?
VG
^^ Not checked but most probably you'll not be able to login. A version mismatch can make your system broken. SP1 is a must have for Windows 7 users and its free so you should install it:
http://www.askvg.com/windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-service-pack-1-sp1-rtm-released-to-public-download-now/
sks20
Oh!thanx for that info.
Kashif Minhaj
Thanks for sharing. Is there any way to get this in Windows XP??
[Off Topic] : I wanna know how you created your sitemap page? any plugins?
VG
^^ Here it is:
http://www.askvg.com/download-windows-8-milestone-3-metro-style-login-screen-for-windows-xp/
No plugin. Simply using a query.
SLD
Yeah I've already made up my mind that when I get a better PC I will remain with Win 7.In my opinion Win7 is the perfected XP, while Windows 8 should win vista.
Kashif Minhaj
Thanks VG!!!!
jusil164
waiting for the 64 bit version.. :)
VG
^^ 64-bit version is also available but not checked.
Dementor314
Windows Server 2012's logon screen contains Windows' logo at least. I like it better.
Espers
Dear VG, it is a nice tutorial however, I replaced the files without changing the background and I noticed that the login is restricted to the green color .. so I am obliged to put the green background in order for everything to look nice, suppose I wanna add a custom background, like my fav car, the login bar / profile pic will still be green ... can't u put a tutorial on how to craft our own authui.dll ?!?!?
VG
^^ Just open the DLL file in Resource hacker and replace the image.
http://www.askvg.com/tutorial-all-about-resource-hacker-in-a-brief-tutorial/