Change Boot Screen Windows PC: Safe Methods

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To change the boot screen on a Windows PC, you must modify system files or use third-party tools, as Windows does not offer a built-in setting for this. The process differs by Windows version, and newer versions like Windows 11 and 10 require replacing or patching system files (bootres.dll, bootux.dll) or using a UEFI firmware logo replacement. This guide explains the safe methods, the risks, and what actually works without breaking your system.

What the Boot Screen Is (and What You Can Change)

The boot screen is the visual that appears while Windows loads before the login screen. On modern UEFI systems, you see the manufacturer’s logo (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo) first, then the spinning dots or Windows logo. What you can change depends on the stage:

UEFI/BIOS logo – the firmware logo shown before Windows starts. This is stored in the motherboard’s firmware, not Windows. Some motherboards allow you to replace it via a utility (e.g., ASUS MyLogo, MSI Dragon Center) or by flashing a modified BIOS. It’s risky and can brick the board if done wrong.
Windows boot logo – the Windows logo and spinner that appear after the firmware hands off. This is what most people want to change. On Windows 10 and 11, it’s embedded in bootres.dll (the resource file) and bootux.dll (the UI).
Boot menu – the blue/black screen with OS choices. Its background can be changed via BCDEdit (a built-in tool) to a solid color or a custom image (Windows 10 and 11).

Why Windows Doesn’t Let You Change It Natively

Microsoft deliberately locks the boot screen. The boot process runs before the full graphics driver is loaded, so the UI is drawn by the minimal UEFI/BIOS framebuffer. The logo is compiled into a system file that is protected by Windows Resource Protection (WRP). Modifying it requires taking ownership of the file and replacing it, which triggers integrity checks and can cause boot failures if done incorrectly. There is no official settings toggle because the boot screen is part of the trusted boot chain; altering it could be used to spoof a legitimate Windows load (a security concern).

Method 1: Change the Boot Menu Background (Safe, Built-In)

This is the only method that doesn’t require third-party tools or system file editing. It changes the background of the boot menu (the screen where you pick an OS or see the spinner).

Open an administrator Command Prompt (right-click Start → “Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”).
Type bcdedit /set bootmenupolicy legacy and press Enter. This switches to the legacy boot menu, which allows custom backgrounds.
Create a BMP image (e.g., 1024×768 or your screen resolution) and save it as background.bmp in the root of a drive (e.g., C:\).
Type bcdedit /set {globalsettings} background C:\background.bmp and press Enter.
Restart. The boot menu will show your image.

To revert, run bcdedit /deletevalue {globalsettings} background and bcdedit /set bootmenupolicy standard.

Method 2: Replace the Windows Logo (Windows 10/11, Third-Party Tools)

To change the actual Windows logo and spinner, you need to replace bootres.dll and bootux.dll in the C:\Windows\Boot\EFI (or C:\Windows\Boot\PCAT for legacy BIOS) folder. Doing this manually is error-prone; tools like Win10/11 Boot Logo Changer or HackBGRT automate the process. HackBGRT is open-source and works on UEFI systems; it injects a custom logo into the boot configuration without modifying system files permanently.

General steps (using a tool like HackBGRT):

Download the tool from a trusted source (e.g., the official GitHub repository).
Run it as administrator. It will create a config.txt file and a splash.bmp file.
Replace splash.bmp with your image (must be a BMP, typically 24-bit, and match your screen resolution).
Run the tool again and select “Install”. It modifies the boot configuration to load your image instead of the default.
Restart to see the change.

To uninstall, run the tool and select “Uninstall”.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Boot loop after modification – If Windows fails to start, you may need to use a recovery USB to run bootrec /fixmbr or restore the original files. Always back up the original DLLs before replacing.
Wrong image format – The boot screen only accepts specific BMP formats (usually 24-bit, uncompressed). Using a JPEG or a PNG will cause the tool to fail or display a black screen.
UEFI Secure Boot – Some tools modify boot configuration in a way that conflicts with Secure Boot. If Secure Boot is on, you may need to disable it temporarily, but doing so reduces security. HackBGRT works with Secure Boot because it uses the Windows boot loader’s ability to load a custom image, but not all tools do.
Windows updates – A major Windows update can overwrite the modified files, reverting your custom boot screen. You’ll need to reapply the change.

Cost and Safety Considerations

All the methods described are free; no paid software is required. The built-in bcdedit method is safe and reversible. Third-party tools are generally safe if downloaded from the official source, but they modify system boot configuration, which carries a small risk. If you are not comfortable with command-line tools or editing system files, consider leaving the boot screen as-is – the risk of bricking your PC (making it unable to boot) is low but real, especially if you manually replace DLLs. Always create a system restore point before making changes.

Alternatives: What You Can Change Without Risk

If you just want a personalized startup experience without touching system files:

Change the lock screen wallpaper – Settings → Personalization → Lock screen. This is safe and easy.
Change the login screen background – In Windows 10/11, the login screen uses the lock screen background by default. You can change it by disabling “Show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen” and using a registry tweak (search for “change login screen background Windows 10”).
Use a custom theme – Windows themes change colors, sounds, and desktop wallpaper, but not the boot screen.
Enable “fast startup” – This makes boot faster but doesn’t change the visual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to change the boot screen? Yes, for personal use. Modifying Windows system files violates Microsoft’s EULA only if you redistribute the modified files or use them commercially. Personal customization is generally tolerated.

Will changing the boot screen void my warranty? For the PC hardware, no. For Windows support, Microsoft may refuse to help if you’ve modified system files and then encounter boot issues. Your PC manufacturer’s warranty is usually unaffected unless you flash a modified BIOS.

Why does my boot screen show the manufacturer logo instead of Windows? On UEFI systems, the firmware logo is displayed first. To change that, you need to modify the motherboard’s BIOS logo, which is separate from Windows. Some motherboards allow this via a utility, but it’s riskier.

Can I use a PNG or JPG for the boot screen? No. The boot screen requires a BMP file, typically 24-bit, uncompressed. Tools like HackBGRT may convert other formats, but the safest is to use BMP.

What if my PC won’t boot after I change the boot screen? Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (using a recovery USB or pressing F11 at startup) and run startup repair or use the command prompt to restore the original files. If you used a tool, uninstall it from the recovery environment if possible.

Does changing the boot screen slow down startup? No, the image is loaded from disk, and the impact is negligible. However, using a very high-resolution image might add a fraction of a second.

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