Windows 7: Removing Picture Frame On Startup/Login Screen

I'm using Resource Hacker to edit authui.dll but every time I try to save it the changes won't save. I've already taken the ownership of the file, granted myself full permissions and still nothing. Is there any other way to edit it?

Hello, yes: I do realize that this is an older post, thanks to the
friendly message I know it's exactly 188 days since the last reply...

So I was looking for a solution to get rid of that annoying empty
icon-frame on the "classic" windows logon of Windows 7. After some time
searching, the most usefull info I could find was this post...

As an edit: I removed my earlier stated question about how to edit
the mentioned file, as it is solved now. A detailed "walkthrough"
will follow.

Zoppa

First of all, I did this on my x86 System, so the following
explanations are meant for a 32bit System. The solution for a x64
will be similar, only the file or folder names will probably be
different?

IMPORTANT: NO WARRENTY CAN/WILL BE GIVEN. It worked for me, it
PROBABLY will work for you. PLEASE read ALL steps before actually
doing any of them, to make sure you understand what I try to do
so nothing is missed/misunderstood! All changes made to your system
and its files are at you OWN risk, as always

It is assumed that you know how to change/check ownership and
permissions on files. If not, please read at least something like
the folowing link, or check other sources!

Windows 7 Take Ownership & Grant Permissions to Access Files & Folder

Very well, let's get to it then

Step 1)

Locate authui.dll in the dir "C:\Windows\System32\" and make
a backup in some other folder.

Note: the rights/permissions and the ownership will be
changed for the backup. Check out how the original settings
on the original file in System32 are before you copy it, in
order to restore them after the changes. I did it this way,
so restoring the original settings. I don't know if it works
without resetting the ownership/permissions afterwards!

Step 2)

Download a tool to modify resources like exe/dll. I used
"Resource Tuner" which comes with a 30day trial.

Resource Tuner 1.99 R6: Download The Best Resource Editor.
Search and replace icons and text. Icon edit.

Another possibility seems to be "Resource Hacker" which is
completely freeware. I haven't tested this yet.

http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/

And of course install it.

Step 3)

Open the copy of authui.dll with the Resource Tuner and
navigate to the "folder" UIFILE and expand it. Inside, there
will be some files named with the earlier mentioned numbers
12400 - 3. For me there were only 3 files named from 12400
to 12402.

Step 4)

As Blizarro stated here: http://www.sevenforums.com/customiza...ml#post1108579,
add the bold, red part to all of the in Step 3) located
files. Searching for the first part of the string (purple)
works like a charm

Code:

<ZoomableElement id="atom(PictureContainer)" height="0" layout="filllayout()">

In Resource Tuner, you need to select the file, e.g. 12400,
and then click the "Resource Editor" icon in the toolbar in
order to edit it. The content that is shown to the right
after selecting the files is not editable.

Then after hitting "Ok" for each file, choose: "File > Save
File as..." and save it under the same name being authui.dll.

Note: If you overwrite the copy, you need to copy the
original again, or simply rename the original in the next
step in order to keep a backup! I used the second method, as
overwriting the original with a modified version within
System32 resulted in an error-message.

Step 5)

Up to now you should have the original in System32, a copy
of it that has been modified in the previous step and
optionally a backup of the original dll.

Now, in order to proceed you have to change the ownership
and some permissions of the original file in System32. So
take ownership and set the permissions to full control.

If you do not have the optional backup, then rename the
original to something like _authui.dll or authui_backup.dll.
If and only if you have a backup, delete the original now,
and replace it by copy-pasting the modified version into
your System32 folder.

Step 6)

Reset the original ownership/permissions. For me, I opened
the "Security-Tab (RC on the file) > Advanced" and added
"NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller" with Full Control permissions.
Then I removed all but the read/exec permissions from all
other users. Then in the Owner-Tab I resetted
TrustedInstaller as owner.

Note: this can be different on other systems, keep to your
notes from Step 1)!

After this I rebooted (maybe -logging off- will work too?) and it
worked like a charm Only thing I maybe would like to do in addition
to this is to center the input-boxes. But that's not for now. So if
someone knows what values have to be tweaked for that: let me know.

Meanwhile I found out about another method which makes use of
changing the enclosed images within the dll. I haven't tested it,
and I probably will not because it seems to be much much more
work to change all the image files.

I am looking for an enhancement to the above method, as it seems
to have a little "side-effect". After hitting "CTRL-ALT-DEL" it
looks as if the input-fields "jump down" to their place.

Remarks and feedback are welcome...

Worked perfectly,
I have Windows 7 X64
So i had to use Resource Hacker as Resource Tuner doesn't support x64
Good Job

Here are some screen shots NO FRAME

when i have changed the values in the dll, what do i do to save it??

You need to copy the origional authui.dll to your desktop and edit it. Then rename the origional in the system32 folder after taking ownership and granting yourself full permissions then just copy your edited version in and reboot. Make backups/restore points first.

Danny

Thank you so much it help me out.

I realize this is an old post but I still it's still being viewed. I understood Katon's original question to mean just how to get rid of that window that asks for a password when you start up Windows 7. So I will tell you what I did. I got rid of it by going into Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts -> Remove your password and follow the instructions that follow.

This is much simpler and does the same thing. Get rid of "the picture and picture frame from the startup screen." I hope this helps.