Source - http://gecko.gc.maricopa.edu/~medgar/WinXPClassicLogon.html

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Change Windows XP logon screen to use Classic theme

How to change the classic logon screen on Windows XP to use any fonts, colors, wallpaper, background, screen saver, et cetera.

These instructions can easily be generalized to change the logon screen for any desired theme.

  1. Set the theme
    1. Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ThemeManager
    2. Change the DllName value to %SystemRoot%\Resources\themes\Windows Classic.theme
  2. Set the appearance (fonts, colors, sizes, background/wallpaper, screensaver, etc)
    1. Logon as Administrator (or any user, really)
    2. In the Display control panel, set the preferences for fonts, colors, wallpaper, etc as desired for use on the logon screen.
    3. Backup the HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel key (optional)
      1. In regedit, navigate to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel
      2. Select File | Export... and enter file name
    4. Export the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel key
      1. In regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel
      2. Select File | Export...
    5. Edit this registry file
    6. Replace all occurrences of [HKEY_CURRENT_USER with [HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT
    7. Merge this registry file
Comments to medgar at student.gc.maricopa.edu