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Windows boot screen - modify or remove altogether

updated 03/03/01
07/20/99


win98 splash screenThis page deals with modifying or removing the windows boot screen, otherwise known as the startup or splash screen.

Microsoft is making deleting the startup screen more and more difficult with each successive OS. But modifying it isn't too tough. Whether you want to delete or just modify your startup screen, the directions below should get you off on the right foot.

Modifying the startup screen is a little different in each version of windows, please see the notes below for the operating system you're running:

Windows XP


Are you XPerienced? What a crock.

Seriously though, LogonXP has a great tutorial as well as some sample screens to get you started:

LogonXP tutorial

Related links:
Microsoft WindowsXP home

Windows 2000


update 09/25/02
Garret McAleister sent me a link to this story at LittleWhiteDog: http://www.littlewhitedog.com/reviews_other_00027.asp

This has updated instructions for you (fellow) Windows 2000 users out there. You can disregard the rest of this section.



update 09/22/01
I'm sorry, I never did get around to finishing this section. For now, please check out this guide on Little White Dog, found here: http://www.littlewhitedog.com/reviews_other_00021.asp.

Can't be done, you say?

Think again my friend.
First of all, disabling the startup screen in Windows2000 is a piece of cake:




Modifying the startup screen in Windows 2000 is another matter.
Impossible, you say?
See this text: (from // link)

This is contained within (x:\winnt\system32\) ntoskrnl.exe (bitmap nr. 1). Replacement of the bitmap gave a lot of people errors, not being able to log in and such :).. it's a tedious proces, and the update of the file needs to be validated somehow ("checksum", "rebase" anyone ?)

Problems with Windows 2000 and checksums on files? Well that sounds like something our good friend Patrick C. seems to be very good at. Modifying bitmaps in executables? That's no problem, with the right program.

I'm going to look into this and post my results. I'll keep you informed.

If you've done this already, , you're probably one of the first to do it!

Windows NT4


Deleting the startup screens on Windows NT
...coming soon.


Modifying the startup screens on Windows NT is the easiest of all.


For WindowsNT, different resolutions are okay. The files are:

C:\winnt\winnt256.bmp -- startup (NT workstation only)
C:\winnt\lanma256.bmp -- startup (NT server)
C:\winnt\lanmannt.bmp -- same bitmap as lanma256.bmp on a default NT server setup

Simply replace those files with the bitmaps of your choice.

Windows ME


Windows ME is a little different from 95 and 98 in that it doesn't ship with a logo.sys file. The startup image is embedded in the io.sys file. Upon booting, if Windows ME doesn't find a logo.sys file (your logo), it continues booting displaying the default image from the io.sys file.
(from this Computing.net forum):

There is no Logo.sys. it is in the IO.sys file. If you save your startup image as logo.sys though and save it to c:\, Windows will use that instead.

Remember your custom logo.sys must be 320 by 400 8 bit rgb for a total of 127K.

Deleting the startup screen under WindowsME (I think) would invovle editing the IO.sys file. I would not recommend messing with this system file. If anyone knows a way to extract an image from a .sys file, I'd love to hear it.

Modifying the startup screen in WindowsME is a piece of cake though. Simply follow the instructions below.

Also, there are many customization programs like XSetup that work on Windows ME, so you might want to try one.

Windows 95, 98, 98 SE


Deleting the startup screen under Windows 9x:
There are two methods: Feel free to try either, your mileage may vary:

  1. Edit the msdos.sys file (located in your c:\ directory): (*WARNING: always make a backup when editing system files)
    under the "[options]" section:
    change (or add if not present) "logo=0"

  2. Replace or rename the logo.sys file in the C:\Windows directory. (Name it something harmless like logo.old)

  3. Simply press esc while the computer is booting. This allows you to skip the boot-screen (from Jim Gilliver)

Modifying the startup screen under Windows 9x:

(from this page):
Q: Where are the bitmaps located for Windows startup/shutdown screens, so I can change them?

A: For Windows 9x, you need a 320x400x256-color image, saved in .bmp format. You could start with 640x480x16-million-colors, then "resample" [resize] the image to 320x400, convert color depth to 256 colors.

Rename it to replace one of these:
C:\Windows\logo.sys -- startup screen
C:\Windows\logow.sys -- waiting to shutdown screen
C:\Windows\logos.sys -- safe to shutdown screen

This is actually a whole category of customizations (including personalizing the startup/shutdown screens),
but removing the startup screen can shave a few seconds off the time it takes for your computer to boot.
Here's how you do it:

While you're at it, unless you commonly use the boot-menu, add the line bootdelay=0. This simply tells your computer not to wait for the user to press F8 to access the boot menu.

Modifying your boot screen Method 4, use TweakUI.


Here's how you do it:

Using the TweakUI powertoy, go to the "boot" tab uncheck the box: Display splash screen while booting.
bootscreen2.gif (1214 bytes)
*Note: see the files page for information on where to obtain PowerToys.

 

And unless you commonly use the boot-menu, uncheck the function keys available box.
bootdelay2.gif (948 bytes)

*NOTE: Please be sure to use the correct version of TweakUI depending on your operating system. Certain versions of TweakUI may cause serious problems if used with Windows 98 or NT4.

See the warning on Accel256's site:

http://users.aol.com/axcel216/98-3.htm#TWK98


Axcel's site has links to download all the versions of TweakUI.


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