How to Change the Background Picture on the Login Screen on Mac OS X

by Macworldwizardz

16K439

Intro: How to Change the Background Picture on the Login Screen on Mac OS X

Hey, I'm going to show you how to change the background picture on the login screen in ANY version of Mac OS X. This Instructable may be used or rewritten in ANY way possible! The log in screen picture below was from Google. I just used it for clearer reference.

STEP 1: Navigating to the Correct Folder

Open Mac OS X Finder (new window) and Navigate to:  your hard drive with Mac OS X installed, then go to Library and then in Library, go to DesktopPictures.

STEP 2: RENAMING!

In my case, I run Mac OS X version 10.4.11 (The Very Latest Version Of Mac OS X Tiger). So everybody that runs Mac OS X Tiger knows that for the login screen, the Aqua Blue Swirl Thingy is the default image. So, to change this, find the file labeled "Aqua Blue" and rename this file to "Aqua Blue2" or if you have more that one Aqua Blue image, name them all 1,2,3,4 and so on. Open up a new finder window and find the file (Picture) you would like to be the login screen's background when you boot up your Mac. When you have found the file, drag it over to the window with DesktopPictures pulled up. Whatever it's name is, rename the file to "Aqua Blue" (WITHOUT THE QUOTES).

STEP 3: Is It Working?

When you log out or the next time you reboot Mac OS X, it should show the image you selected!!

39 Comments

Element1604 13 years ago

Great idea! I've been looking for a way to do this ever since I saw the entirely redone login window on Dexter. I got held up for a minute at the core services forgetting to change permissions, but realized my mistake soon enough! NOW! How to change the ugly input window? (running Snow Leopard)

zozo10 13 years ago

Do u know how to do this with lepoard??

Macworldwizardz 13 years ago

you mean, Leopard, and yes.. I do. To change the picture, you simply add the desired picture to: /System/Library/CoreServices/ and simply rename the desired image to: "Aurora" (without quotes) this is my first instructable and it is getting very popular with comments and views.... Thanks for reading!! Have a good day!! Patrick.

zozo10 13 years ago

its not working

Macworldwizardz 13 years ago

Okay. Sorry for the inconvenance. Try navigating to /System/DesktopPictures/   and then add an image to the folder and rename it to Aurora....

Macworldwizardz 13 years ago

FOR CLEARER REFRENCE OF THE INSTRUCTABLE:

WE ARE CHANGING THE BACKGROUND IMAGE ON THE LOGIN SCREEN/TABLE OF MAC OS X.. LOOK AT THE ATACHED PICTURE FOR REFRENCE

lemonie 14 years ago

Macs don't have a simpler, more user-friendly way of changing this image?!

L

Macworldwizardz 13 years ago

P.S.: Thats alot of Instructables you posted. Do you mind subscribing to me?

lemonie 13 years ago


I wouldn't mind, but subscribing is something I just don't do (never have)

L

kelseymh 14 years ago

Much, much more user-friendly.  However, the interface changes slightly with each version.

lemonie 14 years ago

The standard Mac option is worse than this? I'm sort of surprised, as I ... well maybe Macs aren't as good as people say?

L

kelseymh 14 years ago

Lemonie, I spoke to soon.  This fellow is talking about changing the background on the login screen after boot, not about changing the user's preference.

Macworldwizardz 14 years ago

Yes, it's alright. But, I should have been more clear...

Macworldwizardz 14 years ago

No, they are, It's just that this 1 thing has to be done by "hand"

lemonie 14 years ago

:)
They should fix that I think. I do believe the current OS is a sound platform, but the Fisher-Price aspects annoyed me with the first release (which is all I know).

L

kelseymh 14 years ago

It would be.  You should include more meaningful pictures on each step.  If you're going to do it manually, then show screen shots of the finder at each step.

Macworldwizardz 14 years ago

Sorry. It's my 1st ible. But, thnx for the hint...
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