I have been asked how to change the boot logo in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 thousands of times by the users of my apps and by Winaero blog visitors. This is the most popular feature request for my Boot UI Tuner. Today, I am going to share with you a tutorial which will allow you to change the boot logo of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 and replace it with some custom logo. Read the instructions below.
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Preparation:
First you need to have full access to the following file. This file is where the boot logo is stored:
C:\Windows\Boot\Resources\bootres.dll
The easiest way to obtain full access is the TakeOwnershipEx application. It will allow you to obtain full access to any file with one click!
Alternatively, run the following commands in an elevated command prompt:
takeown /f C:\Windows\Boot\Resources\bootres.dll icacls C:\Windows\Boot\Resources\bootres.dll /grant %username%:f
Replacing the file containing the boot logo:
- To prepare the replacement bootres.dll, create a directory on your C drive: C:\Bootlogo. Copy the bootres.dll file to that folder.
- Create a folder called Logos. This is folder where the images you extract from the DLL go so you can edit them.
- Now you have to download some additional apps into your Bootlogo folder:
Signer: Signer is a tool to work with custom certificates and self-signing.
Latest alpha version of 7-Zip: 7-zip is a famous free, archiving app. Don't worry, even if it says alpha, it's stable.
Restorator: This is the best resource editing tool, but it is not free. Only the Restorator app will work in this case, because other apps can damage the resources inside the DLL. e.g. the popular freeware, Resource Hacker is not suitable in our case. - Using Restorator, open the bootres.dll file and navigate to the RCData section on the left. Within it, you will see a file called "1". Right click it and extract -> Extract as -> extract as... and save it as RCDATA_1.wim.
- Open the RCDATA_1.wim file you extracted in the previous step using 7-zip and extract the images to the folder you made to edit them. They need to be of the same resolution as the originals. Their format must be "24-bit bitmap". Use your favorite image editor to make replacement images.
- When you finish, use 7-Zip again to pack the edited images back into the RCDATA_1.wim file.
- In Restorator, right click "1" and select Assign -> Assign to.... Browse for your edited RCData_1.wim.
- Save the DLL and close Restorator.
- Open an elevated command prompt, change to the C:\Bootlogo folder by typing:
cd C:\Bootlogo and then type the following command in your C:\Bootlogo folder:signer /sign sign bootres.dll
The Signer app will ask you to install a root certificate, choose yes.
- Place your modified bootres.dll file back in the C:\Windows\Boot\resources folder and reboot your PC! If your logo disappears, and you see only the boot animation (the spinning circle), then try one of these two things:
- run the following command in an elevated command prompt:
Bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON
Reboot your PC.
- Repeat all steps once again, it's possible you did something wrong.
- run the following command in an elevated command prompt:
That's it! Enjoy your custom boot logo.
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this is not exclusive. It was already posted some times ago:
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36724-windows-8-custom-boot-logo/?p=321171
Sure, it is in credits to article. Sorry for misleading, I’ll fix text.
What is the substitute for Restorator?
My bootres.dll size is only 17,8 KB. RCDATA_1.wim is 7,64 KB. Are you sure that we need bootres.dll from *:\Windows\Boot\Resources\bootres.dll? 7-zip can’t open extracted .WIM file.
Please refer to the thread mentioned by André
What size is your bootres.dll?
Why you approved my comment, but didn’t respond? O.O
Because I have nothing to say. I have not seen that resource yet.
farei depois o meu comentário
Can’t find Restorator anywhere.
Restorator’s Home Page
Try finding it entering this string on Google:
intitle:index of “exe” “Restorator”
It will give u links for directories that contain restorator and you will be able to download it for free.
I would like to show default Windows logo, as my UEFI loads Asus logo insthead; is it possible?
Thanks!
I’d also like to know how to remove HP logo.
Also anyone here has the Windows 8.1 beta bootlogo (the one with the betta fish)?
Anyway, thanks for the cool post, I’ll test it on my other PCs.
I recently found out that if u have an HP, go to the UEFI firmware settings, and on power-on or something like that, you can enable a mode called POST messages, or something like that. Then, the HP logo will be gone and the default windows boot logo will be used.
when I write “signer /sign sign bootres.dll” in cmd it shows signer is not recognized as internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
solution
Thanks in advance
@Bhaskar, since you seem to have difficulty changing to the correct path, copy signer.exe to your C:\Windows directory.
if “signer /sign sign bootres.dll” is not working try “signer64 /sign sign bootres.dll” … you may have downloaded the 64 – bit version of the software.
from where can I find signer????
Read the article carefully once again. Everything is explained in it and there are links to download necessary tools.
signer keep asking for a smart card.
Just ignore it. For me it asked 3 times then disappeared.
when i try to create the .wim file i get the error “operation is not supported” using 7zip. do you know what is wrong?
Try the latest alpha of the 7zip app.
Or use imagex tool from Windows WAIK – it will work 100%.
i followed all the steps and just get the spinning circle. (even with test mode on) here is the i uploaded the finished bootres to skydrive, can you see what i did wrong? here: https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=E5824CE77252BE51!6422&authkey=!AJSzinbKJb8K13M&ithint=file%2c.dll
Found solution to blank screen.
Do what is instructed in this post: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36724-windows-8-custom-boot-logo/page-3#entry323187.
The post builds on http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36724-windows-8-custom-boot-logo/page-2#entry321171
So go there for reference, such as location of bootress, and also you need to take ownership first.
short: the problem is 8oo logo changer can’t sign (at least on my 8.1 pro build 9600), that’s why I didn’t get any security popup either. so you have to do that part manually via cmd prompt. Also since I downloaded signer64.exe I had to add 64 before running the command.
lucas, just keep hitting cancel about 5 times on the smart card request, it will work in a few seconds
how to do it for UEFI system
Unfortunately, this trick is not applicable to UEFI systems.
How to pack the images back to the RCDATA_1.wim ?
Open the WIM file in 7-Zip and add the modded file.
I keep getting this error;
failed to sign `bootres.dll`: %1 is not a valid win32 application. (2147942593)
any suggestion?
I followed the tutorial troughout.
Windows 8.1 64bit
you could try manually signing it.
See my reply to Rob above
Very good, you talk about manually signing but provide no links or instructions on how to do it.
i have done the above steps perfectly but while executing the command for signer{signer /sign sign bootres.dll}
i get an error” ‘signer is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.”
i have also copied signer to c:\windows
reply ASAP………..
when you downloaded signer was it signer.exe or signer64? If it was signer64 then you should type this instead “signer64 /sign sign bootres.dll”
Error: Failed to sign ‘bootres.dll’: %1 is not a valid Win32 application
i have also tried it.
but it cant work
Please can you provide already changed custom (bootres.dll) file to download.
Please………..
it gives error while entered the command for Signer, like…
“signer is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.”
Thanx !n Adv.
the same problem with me also with signer
please upload a custom bootres.dll. ..
I will do
Signer app keeps asking for Smart Card, Not To install root certificate!!!
the solution for those who can’t extract the extracted *.wim file with 7-zip
i had that problem
Fix : is extract all files in boot.res with restorator 2007 to somewhere destination Desktop for example and go to folder RCData
and right click on 1.res choose 7-zip click open
the archive will be opened you will find 5 bmp images to change
have a nice day and good hack :)
it was good till last step …when i entered “signer /sign sign bootres.dll” in cmd
error came was ” signer is not recognized as an internal or external command” plsss. tell what to do..
i have a bet with my brother that i can change the logo .plss.. save me from debt…
pls can u make a video of the whole process so that we can download pls
I tested this on Windows 10 and it worked flawlessly (I did have to do the BCedit step at the end). One thing I think you should warn everyone about is that if you have your drive encrypted using Bitlocker, make sure you have your recovery key. Once you change the certificate on the bootres.dll file, it will prompt you for your recovery key on the first boot.
signer /sign sign bootres.dll command don’t work and I ‘m in administrator
i also faced same problem……but i fixed it by moving signer.exe file to bootlogo folder
I am unable to replace original bootres.dll by new made bootres.dll……………….pls hlp
And thnx for sharing this on internet
I noticed 7-zip was able to extract the 6 bmp images without having to use restorer so makes me wonder do you even need restorer app if 7-zip can extract the bitmap images on its own? Also anyone know how to change the spinning circle animation?
Thanks
Failed to sign ‘bootres.dll’: %1 is not a valid Win32 application.
help to solve this error
I tried a LOT!!
I also faced the same challenge, then later I read from other posts what was causing the probkem. The problem was with the resonator and the solution was to use resource tuner instead. This link explains the process i followed which solved it for me.
http://www.nextore.net/2016/06/change-boot-logo-in-windows-10.html#
Does this tutorial supports Windows 10? Some commenters said it worked and some said it doesn’t, that’s kinda confusing.
I believe it should work.
I did everything step by step, but I still see the black screen instead of my logo… Do you have any ideas what is going wrong?
I’m getting a message to connect to a smart card…
and how to sign it with your hands?