Solved Can I remove the fade effect between the login screen and the desktop?

[Butters]

I've wanted to do this for a while, but I can't seem to find any information about it on Google. From what I understand, there are no settings to do this (e.g. by disabling visual effects) and it would require the modification of some system file. I'm alright with doing this, but I don't know which file it is I need to modify. Any help would be great.

 

[whs]

Why would you want to do this. Where is the problem ??

 

[Butters]

No problem, I just want to try doing this.

 

[LMiller7]

Modifying system files is very serious business. Most system files are digitally signed, one of the primary purposes being to prevent modification.

 

[Butters]

I am aware of the risks, but honestly I do it all the time. Worst case scenario I boot into recovery mode and restore the original file using Command Prompt (I always back up system files before I modify them). I know all this from experience, and I am willing to take those risks.

 

[Butters]

Does anyone have any info that can help me in doing this?

 

[Butters]

Anyone? Sorry, but I'm getting no replies.

 

[A Guy]

I don't believe it is possible, but if it was, you'd likely see a blank screen between the login screen and the desktop. The fade out/in is "covering" windows switching off the login screen, and switching on the desktop so to speak. A Guy

 

[Butters]

I don't believe it is possible, but if it was, you'd likely see a blank screen between the login screen and the desktop. The fade out/in is "covering" windows switching off the login screen, and switching on the desktop so to speak. A Guy

Thanks for the reply. I think there is a way to do this because if you use Windows 7 (or Vista for that matter) in Virtual PC, there's no fade effect between the login screen and the desktop (same thing if you have a bad video driver, which I am NOT willing to do just for this). But there's no blank screen, it just instantly switches from the login screen to the desktop. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure there is at least some mod or tweak to some file that can be done to accomplish this.

 

[A Guy]

Using a classic theme will also do that I believe, that is an Aero effect. A Guy

 

[Butters]

Using a classic theme will also do that I believe, that is an Aero effect. A Guy

Unfortunately using the classic theme doesn't seem to remove it. I've even seen it function without dwm.exe. Strange, as that's the file I'd think would handle an effect like that. Does anyone have an idea of which file handles it?

 

[LMiller7]

This all seems like a lot of trouble and a substantial risk for a cosmetic change which you see only on bootup.

 

[Butters]

I'm still willing to do it. Does anyone have any information on which file I need to modify?

 

[A Guy]

It could conceivably reside in the C:\windows\System32\user32.dll ,

or the C:\windows\System32\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe with the other fade effects. Just a guess of somewhere to look if you are hell bent on doing it

A Guy

 

[Butters]

Thanks. I'll look into user32.dll. I do know it's not SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe (it still does the effect with everything adjusted for performance, and there's no actual setting to disable it). I also looked into LogonUI.exe, it's not there either.

 

[LMiller7]

User32.dll provides the low level support functions used by most applications and by Windows itself. Any changes made there would be effective throughout the system.

 

[Butters]

User32.dll provides the low level support functions used by most applications and by Windows itself. Any changes made there would be effective throughout the system.

Actually that's a good point. I would have to be careful modifying that, IF I can even modify that (given it's in there). However, I haven't disregarded the idea that it can be in some other files. Here are some files I think it could potentially be in:
winlogon.exe
shell32.dll
user32.dll

I know it's NOT in:
DWM.exe
LogonUI.exe
authui.dll

Or maybe it's in some other file? Would that effect be considered a 'low level support function'? I kind of doubt it, but I could be wrong.

 

[Butters]

Well I think I've found it. In user32.dll there's a function called 'SwitchDesktopWithFade'. There's also a function just called 'SwitchDesktop' (which I assume is used when the system doesn't have enough resources to load the fade animation). I'll keep looking into this.

EDIT:
It turns out I was right! I also found out I won't even have to modify user32.dll at all. Instead I can modify winlogon.exe to load the 'SwitchDesktop' function instead of the 'SwitchDesktopWithFade' function (seeing as how the function is loaded by winlogon.exe from user32.dll). Seems like a better solution than modifying user32.dll, right? Anyway thank you, A Guy for your help. I probably wouldn't have thought to look in user32.dll if it wern't for your post.

 

[GameX]

Well I think I've found it. In user32.dll there's a function called 'SwitchDesktopWithFade'. There's also a function just called 'SwitchDesktop' (which I assume is used when the system doesn't have enough resources to load the fade animation). I'll keep looking into this.

EDIT:
It turns out I was right! I also found out I won't even have to modify user32.dll at all. Instead I can modify winlogon.exe to load the 'SwitchDesktop' function instead of the 'SwitchDesktopWithFade' function (seeing as how the function is loaded by winlogon.exe from user32.dll). Seems like a better solution than modifying user32.dll, right? Anyway thank you, A Guy for your help. I probably wouldn't have thought to look in user32.dll if it wern't for your post.

Hi Butters,

Sorry for bumping the thread, I can't seem to be able to send a Private Message - how did you managed to decompile user32.dll and get access to these functions, possibly in Hexadecimal? I would like to attempt this as well.
Maybe you can just send me your own file to make it easier, I'm curious on how this is done which such files - I've hacked system resources, but never attempted these types of modifications before.

Thank you

 

[LMiller7]

I don't know what it is but I believe there is a minimum post count before you can send a private message. There has been no indication that Butters succeeded in this attempt. This is not a simple thing. It seems like a lot of work for a minor cosmetic change.