Windows 7 logon UI image files – How to locate and edit them

appearancecolorsfile locationwindows 7

I want to change the color of my logon screen picture box – possibly along with other interface elements – in Windows 7.
The image I'm talking about is the glossy bluish box surrounding the selected user's profile picture, such as the one when you lock the screen and get a password prompt.

I would like to open the files in some image editor, convert them to grayscale to fit my logon background color and overwrite the old ones.
Practically all I want to do is change the color, but there is no built-in way to do it (that I know of) and I guess it needs some file editing.
I realize there's an option to choose between 3 different colors for the "Switch User" button – unfortunately it doesn't change the picture box and password field arrow colors.

Q: Where might the image files be located, and how to bypass their protection (if applicable) so they're available for editing?

My system is Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64-bit), build 7601.

Best Answer

Custom 7 Authui.dll !

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Additional Authui.dll resource info:

Windows 7 Logon Editing Guide

Custom Authui.dll sample:

Windows 7 Logon Screen Glass 32 Bit and 64 Bit

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Edit logon GUI:

Logon WorkShop R2 (FreeWare)

Logon Workshop, Customize The Windows 7 Logon Screen.

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Background Change:

GUI: Windows 7 Logon Background Changer

Windows 7 Logon Background Changer

Command-line:

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background" /v OEMBackground /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
md %windir%\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds\

Copy JPG file with size less than 256 kb in %windir%\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds folder and rename it to backgroundDefault.jpg

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