How to change OS X Lion (10.7) login background

I agree, the lion logon looks too much like Windows 7 to me. I's love to personalise the logon screen like I did with Snow Leopard.

The login screen looks dreary and from my perspective has a cheap feel to it. There should be a way to change it. I also would like to know if there is a way to change the background screen in dashboard.

I had the gray linen background for the login screen after the OS X Lion installation. But now it is the wallpaper I set for Desktop 1, but I don't know how this happened!

You will find the background file at the following location:
/System/Library/Frameworks/AppKit.framework/Versions/C/Resources
and the file is called
NSTexturedFullScreenBackgroundColor.png

Before you change the file make sure you have a backup of the original file, I copied it to an external drive. Once you’ve made a copy get the image file you want to make the background and open it in your image editor. The image file should have an image resolution of 72 pixels per inch. I prefer to have my image as close to the screen resolution as possible but if not a little bigger is better or you will end up with a pixelated background when it’s scaled up.

If the image doesn’t have an image res of 72 pixels per inch it will not scale and you will end up with an ugly mess. Once you’re ready save the image as a png file and name it with the exact name
NSTexturedFullScreenBackgroundColor.png
keeping the letter cases correct. Then try to move it to the system location above, you will be prompted that it can’t be done because it is a system file. Just click “Authenticate” and once you put in your password to authenticate you as the user it will make the change. Then reboot to see it in all it’s glory.

The login screen is awful. First thing i did after installing Lion was try to change the background. Funny how such a little thing has completely changed everyone in our family's perception of using the Mac. Used to be excited to power it up. Now the login screen is dreary and depressing. Let's go apple, this has got to be an easy fix. Please let the sun shine again with customized backgrounds when we turn on our Macs...

Thank-you so much, your procedure worked perfectly! I am now the proud owner of a lovely beach scene, rather than the ugly gray textured screen.

Some follow-up information for other non-techie users (like me) of this technique.

1. I couldn't find the appropriate folder that was mentioned (I believe that it is a hidden folder) until I used the "Go To Folder" option available in the Finder under the "Go" menu.

Finder/Go/Go to Folder/System/Library/Frameworks/AppKit.framework/Versions/C/Resources.

2. I'm not a graphics person so 72 pixels per inch doesn't help me out (I'm just saying, no offense intended in the least). To resize my image I used the program called RapidoResizer (free) available from: http://www.adnx.com/software/mac-platform.html. Once the program was open, I set the "preferences" for my image to match my LCD display ratio (1440X900) in the "Display" settings, located in the "System Preferences" folder. Of course, I also renamed the picture file to match the name that you gave in your instructions.

3. The replacement of the old file with my newly created file was seamless, again owing to your instructions about needing to "Authorize" the replacement.

P.S. When I replaced my gray screen, I also made visible (very transparently, in a grayish colour) an Apple logo, and the "sleep", "restart" and "log out" icons at the middle and bottom of my screen respectiviely.

Thanks again.

I definitely agree, the gray screen looks "cheap" and is out of character for Apple that usually presents, at least in my mind, a polished and "nice to look at" product whether that be hardware or software.

Disclaimer: My next comment is the result of reading too many Macalope stories and therefore I may or may not endorse the views expressed below.

The gray screen definitely looks like a compromise and very cheap. At the very least couldn't Apple have, for once, copied Windows and used the XP "green fields" photo, addiing a few grazing sheep being stalked by a Lion? (We all know that us Mac-centric people are simply mindless sheep who will swallow anything that Apple throws at us!). Thank goodness for individuals such as DWFaust who post a relatively simple work-around to the problem. Baa-aa-aa

You can resize and set the resolution in Preview... just open the file and choose Tools > Adujst Size and from there you can set the width, height and resolution.

Everyone's tastes are different. I don't mind the gray linnen background and somehow like it.

Brilliant! That does the trick for me, but now off to find a darker image than the one I used to use as the user names get a little washed out with a lighter background, and the Apple logo stays superimposed in the top third. Hunting for that image to change too 8)

Well, the fix works for the login screen. Mine is now a nice blue color. But the ugly gray background I want to replace is the one that shows up with Expose or Mission Control. Where is that .png file?

I changed the login screen and it works great ....but..... the initial login screen after power on is now plain white... any ideas as how to change that? (i.e. I only see my new login screen when I (rarely) logout, not when I power on).

I have a feeling I'm missing something - despite following your instructions and double checking that the resolution and pixels-per-inch are what's required, the background appears horribly zoomed in. Is this a scaling problem? What have I overlooked?

guys i have a problem .. i have changed my login screen background, but there is a problem, it seems as if the contrast ratio is too high .. make my backgound dull grayish .. need your help guys

Well what i do is sleep mine, and if you have a good Screensaver that comes on before the computer goes to sleep. When i wake it it shows my Screensaver and the small password box. Hope this helps!!