Hacking System Properties Dialog Box (Sysdm.cpl) in Windows XP

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NOTE: If you are facing problems while saving the file after editing in resource hacker, then make sure you have disabled WFP (Windows File Protection) service using WFP Patcher, it can be found in our "Download" section.

Also if you are getting error "Can't create file...", that means you have edited and saved the file in past and there is a backup file which need to be deleted before saving this file again. Go to "System32" folder and you'll see a file having "sysdm_original.cpl". Delete it and try to save the file in resource hacker.

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In this tutorial, I'll describe how to change the first tab "General" in System Properties dialog box. Following is a screenshot of the dialog box which will you get after following this hack:

1. I'm uploading some images, which will be required to add in dialog box. Download the ZIP file, extract it and you'll get 4 BMP files:

Download BITMAPs

2. Open %windir%\System32\sysdm.cpl file in Resource hacker.

3. Now we have to replace existing 1.BMP file with the downloaded one. To do this:

a. Goto Bitmap -> 1 -> 1033.
b. Click on Action -> Replace Bitmap....
c. Click on Open file with new bitmap... button.
d. Select the new downloaded 1.BMP file and click on Open button.
e. finally click on Replace button.

4. Now we have to add remaining downloaded BMPs in the file. To do this:

a. Click on Action -> Add a new Resource ....
b. Click on Open file with a new resource... button.
c. select 4.BMP and click on Open button.
d. Give 4 in Resource Name and 1033 in Resource Language text boxes.
e. Finally click on Add Resource button.

5. Repeat 4th Step for other BMPs (5.BMP & 6.BMP) also. (Resource Name for 5.BMP & 6.BMP will be 5 & 6 respectively and Resource Language will be 1033 for both).

6. Now download following text file, open it and copy the contents, then goto Dialog -> 101 -> 1033 and replace existing code with the copied code:

sysdm_code.txt

7. Click on Compile Script button.

8. Now to change the text "Microsoft Windows XP" & "Version 2002" (or similar):

a. Goto: String Table -> 12 -> 1033.
b. Change the String in 180 to "Windows VISTA™ Ultimate Edition" & click on Compile Script button.
c. Similarly goto: String Table -> 13 -> 1033.
d. And change the String in 195 to "Hacked by : VISHAL GUPTA" (you can change "VISHAL GUPTA" with your name ) & click on Compile Script button.

9. At last Save the file and close Resource Hacker.

10. You can see an image in screenshot having "ask for Genuine Microsoft software" text. If you want to show it as well, then download following ZIP file, extract it and you'll get 2 files "OEMLogo.BMP" and "OEMInfo.INI". Copy both files to "%windir\System32\" folder:

Download Files

11. That's it. We have done. Now you'll get the same look as shown in the screenshot. Enjoy...

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This article was posted in Resource Hacker, Windows XP.

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276 Comments

VG

^^ Thats strange. Did you copy the same code, I uploaded in the tut?
Its working fine here.
Mihai

Maybe i have problems becouse i have Service Pack 2 and maybe there is not the same code for it
Mihai

Hello again. I added a new resource ( the genuine bmp ) with number 7, and then i modified this line ( CONTROL "", 62, STATIC, SS_BITMAP | SS_CENTERIMAGE | WS_CHILD | WS_VISIBLE, 272, 152, 89, 54 ) with this line ( CONTROL 7, 0, STATIC, SS_BITMAP | SS_CENTERIMAGE | WS_CHILD | WS_VISIBLE, 272, 152, 89, 54 ) in Dialog ->101 -> 1033 and now IT WORKS! Have a nice day VG and keep going with your hacking system becouse it's great!
Amit

Hi Mr. VG Im a medical student from rajasthan n much impressed by ur tweaks. I have to reinstall winxp once or twice a month. So im making a ua disk. Can i add these hacking task to cd. Where should i find these files on xp disk and how i can do pls tell.
VG

^^ The best way for you will be use Acronis True Image which can create an image of your whole system and you can restore it back if you face any problem in future. It takes only few minutes in creating image and restoring, which saves lots of hours which you waste in installing Windows and then software and then change lots of settings.

You can read more about Acronis here:

Link
Amit

Means i cant make such changes in the win disk. Isnt it?
Amit

hey i saw such changes in a customized win disc made by someone in gujrat. and i think it can be done. May be its tricky but i think it is possible. And thanks for suggesting acronis but actually i dont want it. I prefer to install a fresh system every time. So pls help me in this way. THANKS IN AD>
VG

^^ You can make an unattended Setup CD with all your edited files. Me too have one. For it you'll have to replace the files in your Setup with the edited ones. But before it you'll have to compress the files.

I'll post a tutorial on it very soon. So stay tuned.
Amit

Thanks Im waiting. Pls post it soon. Thanks again.
Asghar

hi Mr.VG this is Asghar from Pakistan i really like ye hacking stuff wat i did is to change System Properties Dialog Box in Windows XP i follow all the instruction tha way u define in ye web page but facing lil ba problem before geeting started i rebooted mah pc in safe mode and run WFP patch in safe mode after tha all changes every thing is done and i see new property dialog box but after 1 min every thing is gone now when i rit click on my computer m geeting this error message : ( An error occurred while windows was working with the control panel file C:\WINDOWS\system32\SYSDM.CPL. )

i hope u reply me fo this error i'l be thank full to u

Regards

Asghar Durrani