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How to Customize Windows XP System Prompts with ResHack

What You’ll Need

  • ResHack: A free utility to edit Windows resources.
  • Image Editing Software: Any software that can save files in .bmp format, such as Paint Shop Pro.
  • Windows XP

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare System Files

  • Copy the files msgina.dll and shell32.dll from C:\WINDOWS\System32 to the root of your hard drive (i.e., C:\). These will serve as your working copies.

2. Prepare the Background Image

  • Create a background image with dimensions 384 x 198 pixels.
  • Save the image in .bmp format (without RLE compression).

3. Modify msgina.dll (Start → Shutdown Dialog)

  1. Open ResHack:

    • Launch ResHack, go to File > Open, and select the msgina.dll file located on C:\.

  2. Navigate to the Bitmap Section:

    • In ResHack, find the “Bitmap” section, and look for the image numbered 20140.

  3. Replace the Bitmap:

    • Select Action > Replace Bitmap...
    • In the "Select bitmap to replace" window, choose image 20140, then click Open file with new bitmap… and select your custom image.
    • Click Replace to apply the change.
    • Repeat this process for image 20142.

  4. Save the Changes:

    • Go to File > Save to save your modified msgina.dll file.

4. Modify shell32.dll (Logoff Prompt)

  1. Repeat Steps 1–3 as above for shell32.dll, but replace images 14351 and 14354.

Tip: Wait a few seconds after saving to ensure the file is fully updated on the disk.

5. Remove the Windows XP Logo (Optional)

If you want to remove the XP logo, create a 1x1 pixel blank .bmp image. Use this image to replace the following images:

  • In msgina.dll: Replace images 20141 and 20143.
  • In shell32.dll: Replace images 14353 and 14355.

Applying the Modified Files

Now that you’ve customized your files, it’s time to replace the system files with your modified versions.

  1. Delete Cached Versions of the Files:

    • Go to Start > Run and enter C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache. Locate msgina.dll and shell32.dll in this folder and delete them (or move them to another location as a backup).
    • If you have Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed, also delete or move msgina.dll and shell32.dll from C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386.

  2. Open Command Prompt:

    • Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories and open Command Prompt.

  3. Rename the Original Files:

    • At the command prompt, enter the following commands to rename the original files: 
           cd c:\windows\system32
     rename shell32.dll shell32.old
     rename msgina.dll msgina.old
    • If prompted by Windows to restore the original files from the CD, choose Cancel, and then select Yes to continue.

  4. Copy the Modified Files:

    • Enter the following commands to copy your modified files from the root directory: 
           copy c:\shell32.dll c:\windows\system32
     copy c:\msgina.dll c:\windows\system32

  5. Handle Any Prompts:

    • If Windows prompts you to restore the original files again, repeat the steps as above to keep your changes.

  6. Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart your computer to see the updated prompts.

Restoring the Original Prompts

To revert to the default prompts, use Command Prompt again to rename the modified files back to their original names:

  1. Rename shell32.dll and msgina.dll: 
       cd c:\windows\system32
   rename shell32.dll shell32.mod
   rename shell32.old shell32.dll
   rename msgina.dll msgina.mod
   rename msgina.old msgina.dll

Good luck, and enjoy your customized Windows XP experience!

Comments (1)

What You’ll Need

  • ResHack: A free utility to edit Windows resources.
  • Image Editing Software: Any software that can save files in .bmp format, such as Paint Shop Pro.
  • Windows XP

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare System Files

  • Copy the files msgina.dll and shell32.dll from C:\WINDOWS\System32 to the root of your hard drive (i.e., C:\). These will serve as your working copies.

2. Prepare the Background Image

  • Create a background image with dimensions 384 x 198 pixels.
  • Save the image in .bmp format (without RLE compression).

3. Modify msgina.dll (Start → Shutdown Dialog)

  1. Open ResHack:

    • Launch ResHack, go to File > Open, and select the msgina.dll file located on C:\.

  2. Navigate to the Bitmap Section:

    • In ResHack, find the “Bitmap” section, and look for the image numbered 20140.

  3. Replace the Bitmap:

    • Select Action > Replace Bitmap...
    • In the "Select bitmap to replace" window, choose image 20140, then click Open file with new bitmap… and select your custom image.
    • Click Replace to apply the change.
    • Repeat this process for image 20142.

  4. Save the Changes:

    • Go to File > Save to save your modified msgina.dll file.

4. Modify shell32.dll (Logoff Prompt)

  1. Repeat Steps 1–3 as above for shell32.dll, but replace images 14351 and 14354.

Tip: Wait a few seconds after saving to ensure the file is fully updated on the disk.

5. Remove the Windows XP Logo (Optional)

If you want to remove the XP logo, create a 1x1 pixel blank .bmp image. Use this image to replace the following images:

  • In msgina.dll: Replace images 20141 and 20143.
  • In shell32.dll: Replace images 14353 and 14355.

Applying the Modified Files

Now that you’ve customized your files, it’s time to replace the system files with your modified versions.

  1. Delete Cached Versions of the Files:

    • Go to Start > Run and enter C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache. Locate msgina.dll and shell32.dll in this folder and delete them (or move them to another location as a backup).
    • If you have Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed, also delete or move msgina.dll and shell32.dll from C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386.

  2. Open Command Prompt:

    • Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories and open Command Prompt.

  3. Rename the Original Files:

    • At the command prompt, enter the following commands to rename the original files: 
           cd c:\windows\system32
     rename shell32.dll shell32.old
     rename msgina.dll msgina.old
    • If prompted by Windows to restore the original files from the CD, choose Cancel, and then select Yes to continue.

  4. Copy the Modified Files:

    • Enter the following commands to copy your modified files from the root directory: 
           copy c:\shell32.dll c:\windows\system32
     copy c:\msgina.dll c:\windows\system32

  5. Handle Any Prompts:

    • If Windows prompts you to restore the original files again, repeat the steps as above to keep your changes.

  6. Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart your computer to see the updated prompts.

Restoring the Original Prompts

To revert to the default prompts, use Command Prompt again to rename the modified files back to their original names:

  1. Rename shell32.dll and msgina.dll: 
       cd c:\windows\system32
   rename shell32.dll shell32.mod
   rename shell32.old shell32.dll
   rename msgina.dll msgina.mod
   rename msgina.old msgina.dll

Good luck, and enjoy your customized Windows XP experience!

WinPanda changed the title to How to Customize Windows XP System Prompts with ResHack .

I've noticed there’s a lot of interest in customizing Windows XP, and it's great to see such resourceful steps being shared. It certainly takes me back to the days when modifying system files was a common way to personalize the look and feel of our computers. It's essential to approach these modifications with caution, though.

From my experience, one thing to be mindful of is that editing core system files like msgina.dll and shell32.dll can sometimes affect system stability, especially if there's a minor oversight during the process. I've accidentally gotten myself locked out of a system after a similar tweak, so always ensure you have a backup of your data and perhaps a recovery strategy in place. Using something like Norton Ghost, Acronis, or even the built-in System Restore feature as an extra layer of protection can save a lot of headaches.

On a practical note, often these kinds of tweaks are driven by a desire to extend the visual capabilities of XP, which at its release was quite revolutionary in itself. However, keep in mind that some versions or service packs might reinforce system protections, preventing modifications from taking effect, or even restoring original files during updates.

This topic also makes me think about the potential for using virtual machines for experimentation. If you're looking to try something without the risk of damaging your primary OS, setting up a Windows XP system on a VM using software like VMware or VirtualBox could be an effective workaround. This way, you can get hands-on without the associated risks of permanent changes to your main system.

Has anyone here run into any challenges with modified system files conflicting with third-party software, or perhaps encountered security concerns? I'm curious to hear more about both the upsides and any unforeseen quirks this approach might introduce. If anyone has more insights or alternative recommendations, especially with newer tech, I'd love to discuss further!