If you're tired of seeing the same logo every time you turn on your computer, you'll be happy to know that It is possible to customize the PC boot logo. on many modern computers. This includes both changing the classic Windows logo to a custom image and replacing (or even hiding) the manufacturer's logo that appears as soon as you press the power button.
Throughout this guide you will see in detail What requirements do you need, what limitations exist (especially with BIOS and UEFI), what tools are secure? You'll learn how to do this and what settings Windows itself offers to control what's displayed during startup. You'll also see how to revert if something doesn't suit you and what the security implications are of tinkering with this sensitive part of the system.
Which logos can be changed when starting the PC?
On a typical PC, several elements can be displayed during startup: the logo of the motherboard or laptop manufacturer, the Windows logo, and, in some cases, an almost empty screen with no markings.Each of these elements is controlled differently and cannot always be modified.
The first thing you should be clear about is that Changing the Windows logo is not the same as modifying the manufacturer's logo.The manufacturer's logo is usually engraved on the product itself. motherboard firmware (UEFI/BIOS), while Windows animation depends on the operating system's boot loader.
On modern systems with UEFI there is a boot graphics resource table called BGRT (Boot Graphics Resource Table)This table allows you to include a custom logo in the firmware, which is displayed before or next to the Windows logo. If the manufacturer used BGRT to embed their image, That logo is considered the "official" logo of the device and Windows respects it., without being able to easily suppress it by standard means.
However, using specialized utilities like HackBGRT, and on systems that meet certain requirements, it is possible Replace the Windows boot logo with your own imageThat image will appear when the operating system begins to load, right at the WinLoad phase.
Basic requirements for customizing the boot logo
Before you rush into changing anything, it's essential to check if Your PC meets the necessary technical requirementsOtherwise, no matter how many steps you follow, the change will never be implemented.
The key requirement is that your team uses UEFI as a boot system and not a classic BIOS. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the modern successor to the BIOS and is responsible for initializing the hardware and booting the operating system with many more features and security.
If your computer is still running on legacy BIOS, You will not be able to use tools like HackBGRT to change the Windows logoIn these cases, the control of the home screen is entirely in the hands of the firmware, and any deep customization would involve flashing the BIOS, something risky and dependent on each manufacturer.
Furthermore, in dual-boot systems or mixed configurations (for example, an older boot manager in legacy mode), it is common for The loader used should not be the UEFI one, but a legacy one.In that scenario, the tools designed for UEFI do not correctly detect the system, display errors such as "system not found", and do not apply changes.
UEFI vs. BIOS: Why it's so important
The reason UEFI is essential is that It allows for much more flexible and advanced handling of boot graphics.Since around 2005, more than a hundred companies have promoted this standard to gradually replace the old BIOS.
UEFI not only initializes the hardware, it also It manages resource tables like BGRT, supports Secure Boot, and GPT partitions. and countless options that were either nonexistent or severely limited in the BIOS. Thanks to this, tools like HackBGRT can intercept the Windows boot process and display a custom image.
If your PC is relatively modern, it's most likely already running in UEFI mode, or at least has the option to do so. However, Some devices are configured in legacy compatibility mode (CSM) to support older systems or disks with MBR partitions, which may prevent the use of these techniques.
When you try to customize the logo on a system that isn't actually booting in UEFI mode, The tool responsible for the change will warn you that it cannot find a compatible environment.That's a sign that you need to check the firmware settings or assume that you won't be able to apply this specific customization to that device.
Security and backups before touching anything
Modifying what happens during the system's startup phase is never harmless: It's a delicate part and any failure can leave the equipment unstable or even prevent it from starting up.Therefore, the first step should always be to protect your data and your system.
On the Windows side, the minimum recommended thing is to create a system restore point Before installing or running any program that modifies the startup process, you can revert to the previous state if something goes wrong, without wasting time reinstalling the entire operating system.
Regarding UEFI, especially when dealing with advanced options or manipulating BGRT-related settings, it is highly recommended back up the firmware settingsIf your manufacturer offers that option, some devices allow you to export the configuration or easily restore default values, which can save you if something is misconfigured.
Furthermore, it is essential that Only download and run tools from trusted sources (official repositories, GitHub from recognized developers, trusted websites). The boot phase is a common target for malware, so introducing a dubious executable into that part of the system can open the door to infections that are very difficult to detect and remove.
HackBGRT: the key tool for changing the Windows logo
One of the most popular solutions for customizing the Windows logo on UEFI systems is HackBGRT, a free project hosted on GitHub that is specifically designed to modify the Windows boot screen in that modern environment.
HackBGRT works by intercepting the Windows boot process and displaying a custom BMP image instead of the standard system logoTo do this, it installs its own components in the system partition and adjusts the boot loader in a controlled manner.
The basic procedure consists of Download the compressed file in .zip format, then extract it. In a folder, then run the installer, which opens a command prompt with several options. From there, you can begin the installation and configuration process.
As part of the assistant, HackBGRT Open Notepad with your configuration file This allows you to review or modify advanced settings. If you only want a simple logo change, you usually don't need to touch anything in this file; simply close the window.
Once this is done, the tool automatically launches Microsoft Paint, the classic Windows image editorThis is where the image you want to use as your startup logo comes into play: you can import a ready-made one or create a design from scratch.
Requirements for the image to be used as a logo
For HackBGRT to correctly display the chosen image, Not just any format or file will do.The tool only supports images in BMP/DIB format with specific characteristics.
Specifically, the image must be saved as 24-bit BMP with a 54-byte headerThis format is very common and can be generated with Paint, Photoshop or other graphic editors as long as the file type and color depth are carefully selected.
Within Paint, once you have finished your drawing or pasted the image you want, you will have to go to the option “Save as” and choose the 24-bit BMP/DIB typeBy doing so and confirming, the tool itself takes care of placing it in the corresponding directory so that it can be used at startup.
If you prefer to work with more advanced programs like Photoshop, you can also prepare the image there, provided that respect the 24-bit BMP format with the standard headerOther file types (JPEG, PNG, GIF, 32-bit BMP, etc.) will not work with HackBGRT and will not be displayed during boot.
Once the image is saved in the appropriate format and the windows opened by the tool are closed, HackBGRT completes the configuration. After restarting your computer, you should see your new logo. instead of the standard Windows animation if everything has gone well.
What to do if the custom logo doesn't appear
Sometimes, after following all the steps, The system continues to display the Windows logo instead of your imageThis is usually due to problems with the file path, the image format, or the loader settings.
The first check is to make sure that The image was actually saved as a 24-bit BMP and not as some other typeA common mistake is believing that the correct format has been chosen when in reality a PNG or BMP with a different color depth has been saved.
If the format is correct, the next step is usually Reopen the configuration file that HackBGRT displays in Notepad. and check the path where the image to be used is specified. In some cases, you need to manually enter the full path to the BMP file so that the tool can locate it without problems.
After correcting the path or any other parameter, save the configuration file. Exit the tool and restart your computerIf the image is well-defined and the system boots in UEFI without additional restrictions, the new logo should appear during the Windows loading phase.
Remember also that If your device displays a manufacturer logo embedded in the firmware using BGRTIn some cases, that logo will overlap or appear before the Windows logo, and the customization will only affect the part controlled by the operating system.
Disable or change the manufacturer's logo in BIOS/UEFI
The logo that appears right when you turn on the computer, before Windows starts loading, usually corresponds to the motherboard or laptop manufacturerThat logo is stored in the firmware and is independent of the operating system.
In some BIOS/UEFI systems, especially on motherboards geared towards advanced users, it is possible Hide the manufacturer's logo and display the standard POST information instead (text with memory data, detected devices, etc.). This option usually appears under names like Quiet Boot, Full Screen Logo or similar.
A typical procedure to disable that logo is to restart the computer. Press the key indicated by the computer to enter the BIOS/UEFI menu (it may be Supr, F2, F10, Esc, depending on the model), and look for the boot menu or “Boot”.
Within that menu, there is usually a section called Boot Settings Configuration or similar. There, the Quiet Boot option can be changed from Enabled to Disabled. After saving the changes and exiting with F10, the next boot will no longer display the manufacturer's logo, but rather the BIOS diagnostic screen or a more basic screen.
Some manufacturers also allow, replace that logo with a corporate imageHowever, this function is very specific to each model and usually requires official tools from the manufacturer to flash the BIOS with a new graphic, something delicate and not common for the home user.
Additional requirements for changing logos from firmware
When the goal is not just to hide the manufacturer's logo, but insert a completely new one into the firmwareWe enter a much more technical and risky territory that goes beyond what Windows offers out of the box.
In these cases, it remains essential that the team uses UEFI as a boot systemIf a pure BIOS is being used, the customization possibilities are very limited and usually depend on internal tools from the motherboard manufacturer.
Although methods exist for Convert a BIOS-based installation to UEFI Modifying partitions and the boot manager is a delicate process where backing up all important files is almost mandatory. Any mistake could render the system unbootable.
Furthermore, when modifying the firmware, extreme caution must be exercised: Always download official or highly verified utilitiesFollow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter and, if you have no experience, seriously consider whether the risk of rendering the motherboard unusable due to a failed flash is worth it.
Generally, for the average user, it is much more reasonable. limit yourself to disabling the logo or only customizing the Windows part with HackBGRTleaving the firmware as it comes from the factory unless there is a very specific need.
Secure Boot and customization support
Another key element that influences the customization of the boot logo is Secure Boot, a feature of UEFI that only allows signed and authorized boot software to run, which protects against certain types of malware.
Tools like HackBGRT need modify the behavior of the Windows boot loaderThis directly conflicts with Secure Boot restrictions. Therefore, for customization to work, Secure Boot must be temporarily (or permanently) disabled in the firmware.
The exact path to disable Secure Boot It varies depending on the motherboard or laptop manufacturer.It may be located in menus such as Security, Boot, or Authentication. Typically, you'll find an option called Secure Boot, Secure Boot Control, or something similar, which you should set to Disabled.
In the case of Windows 11, it should be noted that Secure Boot is part of the official system requirementsDisabling it may cause the system to display certain warnings, some security functions to lose effectiveness, or even prevent the required installation conditions from being met on certain equipment.
Once you've finished customizing the logo, many users wonder if they can Re-enable Secure BootDepending on how the tool is implemented and configured, reactivating it may cause logo changes to stop working or lead to signature verification errors. Therefore, it's worth carefully considering whether sacrificing some boot security for purely aesthetic customization is worthwhile.
Unbranded boot in Windows: hide logos and messages
Beyond changing the logo, Windows offers official options to achieve a “unbranded boot”, especially useful in kiosk-type devices, digital signage or display equipment where a clean and professional appearance is desired.
The non-marking start allows Hide the Windows logo, progress indicators, and status messages that appear during system loading. It is even possible to suppress the error screens that would normally be displayed if the system encounters a serious fault during the boot phase.
This feature is only available in certain editions of Windows, such as Enterprise, Enterprise LTSC, Education and IoT EnterpriseIt is not usually fully supported in home or standard Pro versions.
To configure it, several methods can be used. From a console with administrator privileges, it is possible to run bcdedit commands that disable keys like F8 and F10 during boot (preventing access to the advanced options menu) and activate options like bootuxdisabled to suppress all visual elements of the boot interface.
It can also be configured in the boot manager that, if a WinLoad or bad disk error occursThe system displays a black screen instead of a detailed error message, which is very useful for environments where you don't want to show technical information to the end user.
Advanced unbranded boot configuration with Unattend and DISM
For professional or mass deployment scenarios, Windows allows you to configure unbranded boot using unattend response files and tools like DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management), so that all options are integrated into the system image from the design phase.
Specifically, the component Microsoft-Windows-Embedded-BootExp It allows you to define parameters such as DisableBootMenu, HideAllBootUI, HideBootLogo, HideBootStatusIndicator, and HideBootStatusMessage. These parameters are set to values of 0 or 1 to activate or deactivate each element.
For example, HideBootLogo is used for suppress the Windows logo by default during operating system loadingHideBootStatusIndicator and HideBootStatusMessage control the status indicator (progress wheel, bar, etc.) and the informational texts that appear during startup, respectively.
It is also possible to create provisioning packages with Windows Configuration Designer, where paths such as Runtime settings/SMISettings/HideAllBootUI are configured with TRUE or FALSE values, and then applied to system images via DISM.
The typical process in these cases involves mounting the install.wim image in a temporary directory, Enable the Client-EmbeddedBootExp feature using DISM, and then confirm the changes by unmounting the image with the commit option. This way, any device deployed from that image will have unbranded boot configured from the first startup.
Supported replacement of the boot logo via BGRT
From an official standpoint, Microsoft only considers the following to be valid: startup logo replacement by a custom logo when done through the Boot Graphics Resource Table (BGRT) on devices using UEFI.
In these devices, the manufacturer can include a custom logo in the firmware that It will always be displayed during system startupOnce BGRT is used for that purpose, Windows does not offer standard mechanisms to remove that logo, precisely because it is considered part of the device's identity.
This means that, on many devices, The manufacturer's logo will always take precedence in the initial boot phase, and any operating system-based customization will be superimposed on or coexist with that initial graphic.
At the same time, having a clear and recognizable logo at startup can help users to Verify that the system is starting in the expected environment and not in malicious software that has altered this part of the process to display its own logo when the computer is turned on.
This entire ecosystem of options—from the UEFI logo to the Windows animation and unbranded boot—makes customizing your PC's boot logo possible, but always within certain technical and security limits that should be respected. With UEFI, a good backup, reliable tools, and some care when disabling or re-enabling Secure Boot, You can customize the home screen to your liking without compromising system stability..
