How and where to install bootskins for Windows XP

Posted on February 5, 2008 at 7:07 am

Wondering what the heck a BootSkin is? Well in computer lingo, a BookSkin is simple the screen that you see when you boot up Windows. It’s usually the Windows XP or Windows Vista logo. If you’re into customizing your PC boot screen so that you don’t have to sit there and look at the same boring Windows logo forever, then check out this quick guide on how to install bootskins in Windows!

Stardock has a free program that you can use to easily customize the Windows XP boot screen and not ruin your computer! Most bootskin programs have the problem of trying to modify core Windows files or trying to patch the Windows kernel, which is NOT a good idea! I think that’s why many people shy away from programs that can customize the Start Menu with their name or change the logon and boot screens.

However, I have tried this program out and have also read their method for changing the boot screen and it’s very safe.

BootSkin, the name of the program, is completely free and has a whole bunch of cool looking bootskins that you can download and use with the program. IT works with Windows XP and Windows 2000 and DOES NOT replace any Windows files! So even if it does not work for some reason on your computer, you can just uninstall it, it won’t corrupt the registry or any important system files.

Once installed, you’ll see your default active system boot screen and a couple of default bootskins that come with the program.

To choose another boot screen, simply select one of the other screens and click on Apply. Restart Windows and you should now see your new boot up screen.

So how do you get a different bootskin into the list above? Well you can download free bootskins and then import them into the program, basically “install” the bootskins.

You can find a bunch of bootskins for Windows XP at the WinCustomize website and also at another customization site called Customize.org. Any file that you want to import into the BootSkin program needs to end in a .bootskin. It may look like an image, but it is not in your normal .JPG, .PNG, .GIF format.

Once you have your bootskin downloaded, you simply need to go to File and click on Import from File. Browse to the location where you downloaded the bootskin and you’re set! You do not have to download the bootskin to any specific location, My Documents or anywhere is fine! The program handles the rest for you.

And that’s it! You should not have a new boot screen to something far better looking than the Windows logo! Enjoy!

[tags]bootskin, bootskins, where to install bootskins, how to install bootskins, change boot screen, windows boot screen, customize boot screen, stardock bootskin[/tags]

» Filed Under Computer Tips

Comments

2 Responses to “How and where to install bootskins for Windows XP”

Than Htike Wai said on : July 21st, 2008 at 10:16 pm

i would like to know where is the bootskin file in window xp
for exampl(c:\windows\system32)like that
pls answer for me .thanks you very much

paka_bachha said on : March 18th, 2009 at 2:41 am

This was really great i even got a tutorial at wincustomize.com to create my own bootskin:p
my pc looks awesome now wen its booting :d

thanks a lot