Alex Ruben
Customize Your Windows Boot Logo: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you tired of the default Windows boot screen? You can easily personalize your PC by replacing the standard Windows logo with your own custom image. This guide will walk you through the process of changing the boot logo in Windows 10 and 11, allowing you to add a unique touch to your startup experience. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to enjoy a customized boot logo that reflects your style, enhancing the overall aesthetics of your computer.
Before we begin, ensure you have the following tools and materials prepared:
- HackBGRT: This is an easy-to-use software tool required for changing the boot logo. Download it from the official HackBGRT GitHub page.
- Custom Boot Image: You will need a custom boot logo image in BMP format. Ensure it is a 24-bit BMP file with a black background, as other formats like PNG or JPG may lead to boot failures.
Step 1: Verify Your System Configuration
Before proceeding, you need to check if your system is using UEFI or Legacy BIOS. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
msinfo32and hit Enter. - In the System Information window, look for the “BIOS Mode” entry. If it says “UEFI,” you’re good to go; if it says “Legacy,” this method will not work.
Step 2: Create Your Custom Boot Logo
You will use the built-in Paint application to create your boot logo. Here’s how:
- Open Paint from the Start menu.
- Set the canvas size to match your screen resolution. For example, for a Full HD screen, go to the Resize tab, select Pixels, uncheck Maintain aspect ratio, and enter
1920for width and1080for height. Click OK. - Fill the canvas with black by selecting the fill tool and choosing black color, then clicking anywhere on the canvas.
- Import your custom logo by clicking File > Import from > File, and select your custom logo image.
- Resize your logo if necessary (e.g., to
400 x 400pixels) and position it on the canvas as desired. - Save the image as a BMP file by selecting File > Save As > 24-bit Bitmap. Ensure the file name is appropriate (e.g.,
bootlogo.bmp).
Step 3: Replace the Default Boot Logo with HackBGRT
Now, you will use HackBGRT to change the boot logo:
- Download the HackBGRT tool from the official GitHub page.
- Extract the downloaded files and navigate to the
slush.bmpfolder. - Copy your newly created BMP file and paste it into the HackBGRT folder, replacing the existing
slush.bmpfile. - Right-click the
setup.exefile and select Run as administrator. - In the command prompt that opens, type
iand hit Enter to install HackBGRT and apply your custom boot logo. - Once the installation is complete, restart your computer to see the new boot logo in action.
Step 4: Handling Secure Boot Issues
If Secure Boot is enabled on your system, you might encounter a “verification failed” error. To resolve this:
- Select OK on the error screen to enter the key management menu.
- In the menu, choose Enroll Hash from Disk to ensure HackBGRT is trusted by Secure Boot.
- Navigate to the HackBGRT executable file, typically found in the system partition.
- Follow the prompts to confirm the enrollment, then reboot your computer.
Step 5: Restoring the Default Boot Logo
If you ever wish to revert to the default Windows boot logo, follow these steps:
- Right-click the
setup.exefile in the HackBGRT folder and select Run as administrator. - In the command prompt, type
rand press Enter to uninstall HackBGRT and restore the original boot logo.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are some additional tips and common problems you may encounter:
- Ensure your custom logo is a 24-bit BMP file to avoid compatibility issues with UEFI firmware.
- If you face any issues during the installation, verify that you are running the command prompt as an administrator.
- Regularly back up your important files before making significant changes to your system settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any image format for the boot logo?
No, you must use a 24-bit BMP file. Other formats like PNG or JPG may lead to boot failures.
What if my computer doesn’t support UEFI?
If your system is using Legacy BIOS, this method will not work. You may need to upgrade your system firmware to UEFI.
Is it safe to use HackBGRT?
Yes, HackBGRT is an open-source tool designed specifically for modifying the boot logo in UEFI systems. However, proceed with caution and ensure you have backups of your important data.