Windows 7 - Dark startup and shutdown screens

Thought I'd posted this--maybe not.

Once, I saw the startup and shutdown used a black startup/shutdown with like gray or silver graphics..not the usual wimpy pale blue.

No idea how I did this--anyone else seen a different version like myself?

That's usually done with a small program for changing the logon and logoff/shutdown screens. That's done with the free program mentioned in the guide on this for changing the logon background screen. Log On Screen - Change

Another method is usually reserved for the more pc savy person which uses a small registry edit explained in the eHow guide found at: How to Change the Windows 7 Logon Screen | eHow.com

Most will prefer the 7 tutorial for this however.

well, this was an official looking page, had the Win logo and graphics..and I didn't intro any third party program, either.

Did you read Option One in the tutorial? That has the link for the program's download page right there which brings you to Windows 7 Logon Background Changer - Customize your Windows 7 welcome screen wallpaper

i did read that. but it doesn't explain how i came to see the ones I did w/o adding anything new.

The new logon and logoff or shurdown screens are wallpapers! You can or make up all kinds of paper! You can even grab a snap of something with your camera and upload it to pc to see made into a new paper easy enough.

Now for your situation there you have to look at a possible hidden theme already in Windows. The C:\Windows\web folder contains hidden wallpapers for example. Too bad you couldn't grab a snip or snap of it as the system was starting up or shutting if it had been reoccuring frequently. Someone might be able to id it.

well, I saw it again---it's the UPDATE SHUTDOWN screen.

That explains it! At least now you know that's a normal screen you would expect to see. The other programs mentioned earlier are there if you want to customize the logon screen and shutdown screens a little.

When a good number updates are going on then you will also see a percentage indicator when first restarting and after when starting back up again.

ya know, those startup and shutdowns are still here- guess I have new ones!

Are you set for automatic updates or do you manually run the check for updates option? Here I keep it set at never and then run a monthly check for any.

When several come out then you'll typically see the percentage indicator at restart and startup with the same dark screens only with the "updates 33% configured" jumping upwards all the way to 99% before the complete shutdown. Then you watch that again as it reaches where the welcome screen would generally appear until finished and then onto the desktop.

If you are missining any prompt to restart it's likely one or more update going on if you are set for automatic and when simply going to shutdown for the night or power up the next day you are running into this.