Finally, A Way To Change Windows 8 Boot Screen

UPDATE: The first program to change Windows 8.1 boot screen logo has been released. Please visit our how to change Windows 8.1 boot logo guide for step-by-step instructions to change the boot screen logo using 8oot Logo Changer software.

Ever since we published customizing Windows 8 boot screen article, we are getting a lot of questions on Windows 8 boot: “Is it possible to change the default Windows 8 boot logo with a custom picture?” “Is there a software to change Windows 8 boot logo?” Of course not everyone is interested and dare to play with Windows system files. But there are a fair number of users who are curious to know about replacing the default boot logo.

The fact is that Windows 7, Windows 8 as well as Windows 8.1 don’t allow you change the boot logo without editing protected system files. However, as you may know, Windows 7 users can use a third-party free tool named Windows 7 Boot Animation Updater to change the default boot animation with a custom animation or static picture, and also edit the messages that appear on the boot logo screen.

Unfortunately, Windows 7 Boot Animation Updater isn’t compatible with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. The developer behind this excellent tool seems to be too busy to update the software (could be because of some other reasons as well) for Windows 8. In fact, it’s been a year since Windows 7 Boot Animation Updater received an update (it works great though).

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users who would like to change the default boot logo will be glad to know that it’s now possible to change the boot logo. A member of WinMatrix forum has managed to change Windows 8 boot logo and has even posted a video along with detailed instructions that one can follow to change the boot screen.

The method requires you edit bootres.dll file located in Windows/Resources folder. To be able to edit the file, you need to first take the full ownership of the file and then use Restorator tool to extract the default boot logo. You will need to download 7-Zip, Restorator (trial version should work fine), and Signer.

If you’re interested in changing the default boot logo, visit this page of WinMatrix to check out the video and instructions. The method should help you in changing both Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 boot logo.

Please note that we haven’t tested the method on our PC yet. We recommend you try out the method using VirtualBox or any other virtual machine. The method might make your PC unbootable. So be careful and try at your own risk.

We will soon post a detailed instructions to change the boot logo in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.