Ever wanted to customize your login screen to spice it up a little? Well, here is how you do it.

Step 1: Check Your Pictures Size

Windows 7 doesn't let you use pictures that are bigger than 250k.

Right click on the picture you want to use and click Properties.

If the size is bigger than 250k it must be made smaller.

Step 2: Compress Your Picture

You will need Paint.NET for this step.

Open your picture in Paint.NET

Click on File->Save As

name your file and hit Save

Scroll the quality meter until the size is just below 250k and hit OK.

Step 3: Move Your Picture Into the Right Place

Open windows explorer

C:\Windows\System32\oobe\Info\Backgrounds

If any part of that path doesn't exist, create the missing folder(s)

Move your file into the Backgrounds folder.

Rename the picture to be backgroundDefault.jpg

If UAC prompts you, click on Continue

Step 4: Enable Custom Backgrounds in the Registry

Hit the windows key + r to bring up the Run dialog

Type regedit and press enter

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background

Create a new DWord Key named OEMBackground

Assign the value 1 to the OEMBackground Key

Step 5: Change Your User Profile Picture

Click on the start menu (Circle Windows button)

type User

Click on User Accounts

Click Change your picture

Click Browse for more pictures

Select your new profile picture and click Open