Here is another interesting topic for Resource Hacker lovers. In this topic, we are going to mention a few system files in Windows 7 which can be modified to change look of various Windows components like login screen, dialog boxes, menus, etc.
You'll need Resource Hacker to modify these files.
So here is a list of various system files in Windows 7 which can be easily hacked using Resource Hacker:
Approx. all Windows 7 system icons -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Yellow Shield icon -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Login Screen Background -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Login Screen image resources -> %windir%\System32\authui.dll
Startup Sound -> %windir%\System32\imageres.dll
Start ORB images -> %windir%\Explorer.exe -> Bitmap -> 6801 - 6812
Windows Version Image in "About Windows" dialog box -> %windir%\Branding\Basebrd\basebrd.dll
Windows Version Image in bottom of Login Screen -> %windir%\Branding\Basebrd\basebrd.dll
Control Panel Left Sidebar Image -> %windir%\System32\Shell32.dll -> Bitmap -> 632 & 633
Getting Started (aka Welcome Center) Images -> %windir%\System32\oobefldr.dll
Laptop Battery Meter image resources -> %windir%\System32\batmeter.dll
Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) Resources -> %windir%\System32\ieframe.dll
Windows Media Player 12 (WMP12) Resources -> %windir%\System32\wmploc.dll
Above mentioned system files/locations are new to Windows 7 and were not present in earlier Windows versions, like XP. If you want to change look of other menus, dialog boxes like RUN, Progress, System Properties, Start menu, Taskbar Properties, etc, you'll have to edit some other system files which you needed to edit in Windows XP. But there is a little difference, now those files don't contain the resources but their .MUI files do.
For example in Windows XP, RUN dialog box resources were present in "%windir%\System32\Shell32.dll" file but in Windows 7, the resources are present in "%windir%\System32\en-US\Shell32.dll.mui" file.
All these .MUI files are present in any of following 2 locations:
%windir%\en-US\
%windir%\System32\en-US\
To know about other system files which are same for all Windows versions and contain resources of various dialog boxes, menus, etc, you'll need to visit following links:
List of Files to be hacked using Resource Hacker
List of Resource Locations to be Hacked Using Resource Hacker
All these file names and resource locations are same in XP, Vista and 7.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Resource Hacker, Windows 7.
If you enjoyed this article, you can subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our most popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles. If you have some news or tip to share, please send us.
Daniel
Mr. Vishal I have the same problem like Desta. I've tried to change the values shown in the system properties dialog by hacking the sysdm.cpl and also sysdm.cpl.mui files of my Windows 7, but there is no dialog that would match with the system properties dialog shown when you right-click on "Computer" and select "Properties".
Maybe it's stored in another file.
Do you have any ideas about hacking that dialog box?
dani_ryder2008
@Daniel: The only way to hack windows' 7 system properties dialog box I found until now,is a registry hack,but you can't modify the values shown for RAM or processor.You can only add OEM information to the dialog box + a logo.
Just navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\OEMInformation.
In the right-side select New>String and create:
"Logo" - at value type the path to the BMP image
"Manufacturer" - at value type the manufacturer of the PC
"Model"- at value type the model of the PC
"SupportHours" - at value type the schedule of the support company
"SupportPhone" - at value type the phone of the support company
"SupportURL" - at value type the URL of the support website
Anmol
sir please may i know where can i hack the system properties dialog box in windows 7
couldn't find the same in sysdm.cpl.mui as it were in sysdm.cpl in windows xp
VG
^^ I think its stored in "\Windows\Branding\Basebrd\en-US\basebrd.dll.mui" file.
Anmol
^^Nopes that didnt have a single dialogue box rather......
newayz thnx 4 ur help......
if you find iy out somedaay please post it would be of great help
thnkew.....:).......
Meer Asad
hey vg, how do i change the color of Shell32.dll.mui -> Dialog -> 1080 -> 1033
and
could you tell me how i change the icons like forward back resize etc. etc. in windows photo viewer in windows 7?
VG
^^ The color of any dialog box is defined by the Windows theme.
Meer Asad
then can you guide me to where to look for it and under what name or something =s
VG
^^ You can change the color using Appearance tab of Desktop Properties.
JC
Very useful, thanks.