Customize Windows 7 Logon Page

Logon WorkShop is designed specifically to help you edit the logon screen in Windows 7, or create a new one. There are plenty of tools that can achieve this in a very simple manner, asking only for the image you want to apply as background.

However, Logon WorkShop is a bit more than this because it opens a wide range of customization possibilities, for each element available on this screen. The application is free of charge and does not require any installation.

The application window looks comfortable enough for a beginner user to have no trouble handling. It lists a set of five skins in the left, each of them being previewed when selected. These are the themes created by the author of Logon WorkShop, who also makes available the original one created by Microsoft, in case you decide to return to the default logon screen.

Beginner users should stop at choosing between the preconfigured backgrounds because editing them is a tough job, especially since there is no help file available in the application.

Even for more seasoned users working with Logon WorkShop is pretty far from being intuitive and a few reconnaissance rounds are necessary before you start with it.

The good news, though, is that you can’t mess things up, since you can always return to the original screen Microsoft implemented in Windows 7, labeled “Default” in the application. Also on the upside, you cannot edit it.

If you feel up to it, you can start creating a new logon screen from scratch. The developer of the application makes available the necessary resources for the job, or you can bring in your own bitmaps and backgrounds.

The level of control available in the application is incredible. You can modify buttons, the user tile as well as text properties. All this is available in the editing mode of the program.

With Logon WorkShop you can replace the accessibility button with any bitmap or PNG image. Additional customization includes changing the location, its size and padding values.

If you have the proper images, every aspect of a button can be personalized, from the way it looks when the mouse hovers over or when pressed to the backgrounds of the elements. This sort of modifications can be applied to the shutdown button or the password submission item.

Various values for the user tile can be changed in order to make the element larger or smaller, alter padding or height. Just like in the case of the other buttons, Logon WorkShop lets you replace it altogether if you have the pictures for the different states it can appear (mouse hover, pressed, etc.).

Another aspect subject to customization is the way the text looks like. Although you cannot add messages yourself, the program can modify the color and formatting of the text available on the logon page. This includes the text on the buttons, status (if enabled) or the user name.

Given all the options available and, more importantly, all the work a user can invest, saving everything would be a normal request. Logon WorkShop not only saves all the alterations you make, but it also compiles the theme, so you can share it with other users.

All the items saved with Logon WorkShop are available in the program’s folder, under “Logons.” The directory contains everything from the bitmaps and custom background image to the settings file.

Logon WorkShop is not an instrument for the beginner user, not even for the average one. In order to use it, you need solid knowledge about image editing. Additionally, for full customization of the screen plenty of time is required to tweak all the aspects to your liking.

Also on the downside, the application does not provide proper previewing of your changes. All you can see is the original file. The only alternative to see how all the elements fit together is to actually apply the skin. Luckily, a simple lock of the computer gives you an idea about how the lock screen looks like. We noticed that some of the functions do not work at all.

The Good

The Bad

The Truth