All of the Windows operating systems seem to allow an extreme amount of customization and change based on user desires. Today, we will talk about a small part of that - tweaking the Windows logon/boot.

Well, ready to get started? Let's do it.

Messing around with the actual login can be quite fun as well. Actually, if that does not pump you up enough, what if I told you it was easy? Yes, well, it is! Here are a few cool things you can do with the registry to make your login screen a little more personal:

Add A Login Text Reminder

This little reminder will pop-up everytime you start the computer, right before the login screen boots. You can edit it to say whatever you like.

    1. Go to "Start," "Run," and type regedit.ext.2. When the Registry Editor loads, navigate toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ Current Version \ Winlogon3. You should now see a multitude of registry keys that are essential for the logon. To do what we are trying to do, add a text reminder, find the registry key LegalNoticeCaption and right-click, and select Modify.4. Now, type whatever you like in the box to set a caption/title for the window.5. For the actual text you would like to display, find the Registry Key right under it titled LegalNoticeText and again right-click it, then select Modify. Type whatever you like in the box.

    change login text reminder

Set Default Logon Identity

Also conveniently placed in the Winlogon directory is the Registry Key titled AutoAdminLogin, DefaultDomainName, and DefaultUserName. These keys set the default login credentials for the system when the login is loaded. If you simply want to save time by automatically setting the correct username and password everytime, and this computer is not used by a bunch of people then it is fine.

If the computer you are tweaking happens to be used by many people then I would not recommend using this tweak, unless, of course, you are intending on everyone using the same account. Anyway here it is:

    1. Go to "Start," "Run," and type regedit.exe.2. When the Registry Editor loads, navigate toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ Current Version \ Winlogon3. The AutoAdminLogin key should be set to 0 currently if your system does not automatically log you on. If the system does, though, automatically log you on, then this should be set to 1.4. The DefaultDomainName key is the default user directory the username is selected to do. Usually, this will not need to be changed, unless you are logging onto a server.5. The DefaultUserName key, obviously, sets the default username. You can change this to whatever you wish to accompany your username.

    se default logon identity

Change the Logon Screensaver

Changing the logon screensaver may be the best part. The ability to show your friends your ultra-cool hacking tweaking skills and superior computer modding. Anyway, here is an easy way using some cool software. (Note: The installation is quite easy and shouldn't need much explanation.)

    1. Download BootSkin.2. Find and download new or used current "BootSkins" provided after installation to change your boot screen. (To download and access new "BootSkins" you can go to WinCustomize.)

    change logon screensaver in xp

Hope these small tweaks help you get a little closer to the perfect computer. Have fun tweaking!