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Longing for some change in your life? Why not start with that boring old Windows XP logon screen? With the freeware LogonStudio, choosing another screen is a matter of two clicks. Alternately, you can design your own with a built-in editor.
The first option is a lot easier. About 30 cool screens are available on the WinCustomize site, and the program can randomly select one on every boot. Editing is less straightforward. You build or modify logon screens by tweaking parameters on a lengthy list of elements. So you might, for instance, change the FirstColor parameter of the Centre Panel element to a new shade of blue. This allows you to customize everything from background to letterings to buttons, but beginners will find the process quite confusing. The sketchy online help isn't much assistance, either.
LogonStudio is best for users familiar with programming languages such as Visual Basic, whose development tools use a similar interface.
Publisher's Description
From Stardock:
LogonStudio is a free program that allows users to change their Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 logon screens. It comes with several logon screens to choose from, along with thousands that are available online from Web sites, such as WinCustomize.com. It also includes an editor for creating your own logon screen.
What's new in this version: Version 1.7 adds support for Windows 7.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 154 votes
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Current version:
3.8 starsout of 44 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"FaceLift for the boring logon screen."
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
Allows user to change the look of the log-on screen. Allows use of not only the set images, but also gives user the ability to create their own.
Cons
None that I have found.
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"Doesn't work"
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
Installs fine
Interface is prettyCons
Doesn't work
Summary
Selected a logon screen from the list provided, clicked "apply". Same old logon screen -- no change at all. Tried with several of the screens THEY provide; no change. Tried rebooting. No change. Windows XP SP3.
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"ERROR, please help!"
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
Nice software, does the job.
Cons
I have an error message (unhandled exception has occurred in a component of your application) that appears whenever I try to change my logon skin and I've tried almost everything to fix it (checked compatibility with firewall/ security program (McAfee), uninstalled and re-installed, etc.)
Summary
It's good software, but I need some help. If you can help, please reply and send me an email.
Well, somehow my issue fixed itself. Perhaps it was a system restore or a defrag...I'm really not sure, but it seems to be working fine for now.
Updated on Jul 6, 2012 -
"It takes the boring out of Windows pics."
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
Lots of great pics and booting up and logging on is not as standard as it is with Windows.
Cons
Thus it is a short program, it runs a little bit slow.
Summary
I will always use it to make my pc interesting to see from a distance.
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"I Love being able to change my logon screen"
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
I can change my logon screen to whatever pics I want. I can choose from the studio gallery or my own pics from my computer
Cons
No real cons that I have found..
Summary
It works great & is easy to use!
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"Easy! Easy! Easy!"
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
Changing the logon screen is much easier than trying to do it using the "Windows 7 instructions" from Microsoft
It is small and it is FREE!
The window called "My logon screens" shows thumbnails of the various images available making it easy to choose one.
There are images available for downloading.Cons
Instructions are not the best. In fact they are pretty much non existent. Fortunately it is easy enough to figure out how the program works (it really is simple).
Image choice is somewhat limited if you want to create your own (size and format)Summary
This little program makes changing the logon screen really easy. It takes a bit of time and experimenting to get the hang of creating your own images (really just using your own photos and images). Once I got a "feel" for the program I had no problem getting it to work. The only real disappointment came when I found that some of the images I was hoping to use really did not work well as a background in the logon screen window (simple photos and images seem to work best). That being said the program is so easy to use that adding new images and photos to the possible choices is simple and quick. Try new pictures and if they don't work for you just delete them from the possible choices in the "My logon screens" window.
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"Lost without it"
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
Does what it says, unintrusive.
Cons
Confusing at first creating your own.
Summary
I'd be lost without this, it should be standard for Windows - the default logon screens are too bright and distracting. This does the charm, and it's free.
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"Uhhh... what happened??!!"
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
Worked fine initially
Cons
Stopped working properly after 2 days.
Summary
Not sure what happened. The program installed and worked fine on my Win 7 64-bit OS. Then after two days it reverted back to default logon screen and LogonStudio can't change it...at all...to anything else!!?? I uninstalled/re-installed the software, but still doesn't let me change the screen from default. Looks like I'll try another product.
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"Very Good and easy to use"
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
able to change the boring default Windows 7 log on screen. You don't have to worry about fooling with dll's or patching or deleting default files. It's pretty simple to use.
Cons
none that I can think of
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"ease of use"
Version: LogonStudio 1.7
Pros
It just makes the computer more yours rather than frae a shop
Cons
limited choices of images
Summary
would be better if they added more images to chose from
