In our previous post, we let you know about the release of 8oot Logo Changer, a free tool designed to help you change the original boot screen logo of Windows 8.1 with a custom picture. Even though replacing the default boot logo using this tool is relatively easier, first time users might need some help in using this handy tool.
In order to force Windows 8.1 to show the custom boot logo, one needs to turn Test Signing mode on. Merely changing the boot screen logo when Test Signing mode is turned off will force Windows to show a blank boot screen. So, it’s important to turn Test Signing mode on before applying a new boot screen logo.
8oot Logo Changer replaces the original bootres.dll file located in Resources folder. Even though the tool works flawlessly, it’s always a good idea to backup your data and create a manual system restore point just in case if the PC fails to boot after replacing the original system file.
Users who’re not sure how to use this excellent software to turn Test Signing mode on and apply the custom boot logo can follow the given below instructions to successfully change the Windows 8.1 boot logo.
NOTE: We have tested it on a 32-bit Windows 8.1 Pro running in a virtual machine and can confirm that it works as advertised.
Step 1: We advise you either create Windows 8.1 drive image, or at least, create a system restore point before proceeding to the next step. IntoWindows is not responsible if your PC fails to boot after using the tool and following the procedure.
Step 2: Visit this page and download 8oot Logo Changer executable. As we have mentioned in our Windows 8.1 Boot Screen Changer article, the 8oot Logo Changer executable, the file that is available for download from the developer’s page doesn’t include the actual setup of 8oot Logo Changer, and it helps you only download the actual 8oot Logo Changer installer.
Downloading the setup file 8oot Logo Changer is a bit tricky. In order to download the setup without installing other software (it offers you install a couple of unwanted software), run the 8oot Logo Changer executable that you have downloaded from the developer’s page, uncheck the option titled Accept Mobogenie, click Cancel button when you see the dialog box (clicking Ok will install unwanted software), click Decline button when you see Make Aartemis as my homepage and default search, click Decline button again when you see Welcome to the world of Wajam, uncheck the option titled Keep your software updated and install Okitspace, click Next button to connect to the developer’s server and begin downloading the 8oot Logo Changer installer.
You’ll be asked to select a location to save the file. Once done, click Next button and then click Finish.
Now, run the installer of 8oot Logo Changer and then follow simple on-screen instructions to complete the installation. The good thing is that the actual setup of 8oot Logo Changer doesn’t offer you install unwanted software.
Step 3: Switch to the Start screen, start typing 8oot Logo Changer to see the 8oot Logo changer in the search result, and then press enter key to launch it. Click Yes button when you see the UAC prompt.
Step 4: Once the application is launched, switch to the Test mode tab, click Turn it On or Off button to turn Test Signing on. Switch back to Bitmaps tab.
Step 5: Next, click Load Picture button (located bottom left) to browse to the image file that you wish to set as your boot screen logo. Select the area of the picture that you would like to use as boot logo.
This tool features a preview option so that you can preview your new boot screen before generating a new bootres.dll file and replacing the original bootres.dll file with the new one. Click the Preview button to preview the new logo.
Step 6: Click the large right arrow button under Edited pictures section (see the snapshot) to generate a total of six BMP files.
Step 7: Next, click Generate bootres.dll button to generate a new bootres.dll file with new set of BMPs that you have generated in the previous step.
Step 8: Before clicking the Apply button, click the Backup button to create a backup copy of the original bootres.dll file. After backing up the bootres.dll file, click Apply button and then click Yes button when you see the UAC prompt to replace the original bootres.dll file with the custom one.
When you see the Command Prompt window with Press any key to continue message, press any key to close the prompt. That’s it! Restart your PC to see the new boot logo. Good luck!
NOTE: Since you have turned on Test Signing mode on, Windows will display Test Mode watermark on the desktop. To hide it, launch 8oot Logo Changer, switch to Test mode tab, click Backup shell32.dll.mui and Backup basebrd.dll.mui buttons to backup those original files. Finally, click Patch buttons. Once done, click Restart.exe button to replace those original files with custom ones and hide the Test Mode watermark.
