Take the 2-minute tour ×

I'd like to customize the 'computer locked' dialog box in XP to be more graphic oriented, is there any way to do this, or perhaps just change the colors of the box?

Also, I'm running dual monitors and would like the box to be positioned in the center of the two screens rather than in the center of Monitor 1 (main). Can this be done?

share|improve this question

migrated from stackoverflow.com Mar 25 '10 at 19:57

This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.

add comment

3 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Yes, with a custom msgina.dll it should be possible. Have a look at this article about hiding the computer locked dialog which has a replacement msgina.dll.

A warning though before experimenting: msgina.dll is a core system dll which handles the logon process. If you replace it with something that doesn't work you might end up with a computer that is impossible to log on to.

share|improve this answer
+1 This would work. Also, if you have a fubar gina.dll you can still get into Safe Mode and change the registry or replace the file. –  Chris S Mar 25 '10 at 20:20
add comment
  1. Not easily
  2. You can change your monitors to horizontal span mode in the video card settings.
    Details depend on your video card.
share|improve this answer
add comment

Its not very difficult:

I know that WindowBlinds can do this but this was so long ago so I forgot how to do it.

Stardock windowblinds

There is also tuneUp utilities that can do it in a more conservative way.


share|improve this answer
+1 Simple solution. –  Chris S Mar 25 '10 at 20:21
add comment

Your Answer


