CNET Editors' review
Are you tired of the drudgery that is your Windows start-up screen? This handy piece of freeware adds spice to your PC by letting you customize your Windows 2000/XP boot screen. At 871K, BootSkin is a quick, space-conscious download. It allows you to easily change your boot screen without patching the Windows XP kernel, keeping your system stable and the size of your skins manageable. The straightforward interface offers a couple of stock skins and allows you to import them from the Web and create your own. Although BootSkin is not brimming with features, it's still a nice way to add a personal touch to your PC.Publisher's Description
From Stardock:
Safely and easily change your Windows boot screen. It allows you to replace your Windows bootup screen with a screen you can download from Web sites such as WinCustomize.com or one you create yourself. It works on Windows 2000 and XP and replaces no system files.
Version 1.05a may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
2.8 starsout of 261 votes
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Current version:
3.0 starsout of 161 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"decided not to put it in."
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
Nice idea, small program, looks easy.
Cons
Just one more thing that could go wrong when booting.
Summary
I used to make my own screens; this stirred that interest, but after thinking it through, and considering recurring video problems, I decided not to further clutter my PC. So it looks good, it was not going to work for me. If I upgrade my system and it stabilizes, I will certainly consider this program again.
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"What a Waste of TIME"
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
None that Ive found
Cons
It doesnt work
Summary
I was under the impression that it would take any picture and use as a bootscreen. Uhm NO. It refuses to 'see' any picture other then a boot screen image.. Oh but then it tells you under HELP how to create bootskins.. do this, do that, blah blah. Just useless... its being deleted off my HD as soon as I hit enter on this review.
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"Nice and uterly safe to use."
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
Only use memory, or any resouce at all when you do change the bootskin.
You can set it to randomly alternate between your available desings.
Once you have changed the boot screen to your liking, you can uninstall BootSkin and your setting will stay.
You can easily revert to the default Windows boot screen, it's always the first item on the list of available screens.
Go here to learn how to make new bootskins: http://martin.joeuser.com/article/1886
Go there to get new ones: http://www.wincustomize.com/explore/bootskins_xpCons
The XP version is limited to 16 colours and 640 by 480 resolution.
The Vista and 7 versions have more colours and beter resolution but can't work under XP. -
"Wonderful and free"
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
Works great
Cons
none at all
Summary
Just cannot believe the comments from user's who had any trouble with this. Have used it for years either on a Vista 64 machine and now on 2 different Win7 64's. With absolutely no problems of any kind, I might add. Fast , simple , and it works! Uses either supplied papers or you can make your own. If only all freeware did its job the way this one does.
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"Good Login screen"
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
Simple interface, great features, and freeware.
Cons
The texture, color of the skin is not as clear in logon studio. Can I have a request to stardock the software maker. Can we make it a suite for windows blind, logon studio, bootskin, skin studio, etc. as one software. Thanks.
Summary
If your tired and bored with your login screen. Try this one.
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"Light program,worked well on XP for ME !"
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
This program installs easy,and is tiny.The interface is so easy my mom could figure it out.
There are 100's uopn 100'sof skins avaliable...all free,just as promised.Cons
none,none,and none.
Summary
I'm a veteran PC user,but didn't need to be.I run XP home.I'm not sure about all the negative reviews...i had NO problems,and this isn't the first time,nor the first PC i've ran this on.
I recommmend you give it a try.I know enough to fix any problems that might arise,so my confidence was high....thankfully,troubleshooting bootup was not a problem in MY case.
Thanks stardock,i was REAL tired of the same old boot screen i've had to look at for allmost a decade....now if i could find a program that will remove the blue on the enter password screen i'd be in heaven. -
"I like to change the boot windows and it did just that."
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
It's free but limited, when downloading, send it to a storage drive and it works fine.
Cons
I used that create your own skin: Well I wont be doing that any more, had to boot to safe and to reset the boot window to fully boot up,
Summary
As with all downloads; you take the risk, I like the program and I still use it. It did not do as much damage to my system as was done while installing Office 2007, It took me hours to get the configs right.
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"Love it! been using this product for years"
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
Easy to use click and go!
Cons
there are none
Summary
easy to use
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"Works fine!!"
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
I installed it to try it. It works fine, no problem of any kind. Uninstalled without any problem neither.
Cons
It is just of no use for me.
Summary
For that I'll give 3 stars.
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"Can cause severe DAMAGE to your PC"
Version: BootSkin 1.05a
Pros
Easy to use.
Cons
1.System crashed.I had to install my Operating System again.
1.Even if you only preview a boot screen it installs it in your pc without permission.
2.Not much help with editing the screens.
3.All in all it worst Software I have ever used.Summary
I installed it to preview some boot screens.But it this s/w installed those screens in my pc without my permission,resulting in a system crash.
So My PC won't start.Thankfully I had my XP Boot cd.so I had to install the Operating System in the same partition again.And then I had to uninstall this software after loging in to newly installed OS in my PC.Then I had to delete the Newly installed OS and only after that I was able to make my old OS install properly.
This software can cause severe damage to your PC.Don't use it unless you have your boot cd handy or a pro with booting stuffs.It's full of glitches,faulty and very unstable.USELESS.
