the1guru

Join Date 06/2007

Customizing your User Pics

How too

The first step in creating a custom picture is to find the picture you want to use. Once you locate a picture, open it in your favorite photo editor.

Most pictures will require resizing because the final image needs to be bitmap
48 pixels by 48 pixels.

For resizing, something like the free utility IrfanView

see link below

works nicely because it performs the resize easily and displays the height and width of the selected area as you drag the cursor. Make adjustments to your selection until you have a square area selected, then crop the image.

Resize the new square image to 48x48 and save the image as a .bmp file.

To use the image in your user profile you need to move it to the

C:\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures folder.

If you haven't done so previously, you will need to unhide this folder.

1) Open Tools > Folder Options on the Windows Explorer menu.

2) Click on the View tab

3) Scroll down until you see Hidden Files and Folders options.

4) Select the button next to Show hidden files and folders.

5) Click Apply and then click OK.

Now browse to the Default Pictures folder in Explorer and drag your new icon into the folder.

C:\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures

To change the picture for your user, go to Start > Control Panel > User Accounts

1) Click on your user.

2) Click on Change my picture.

3) Select the new picture from available pictures.

4) Click the Change Picture button.

Each time you log in or change users, the new icon will be next to your username.

Link

* Edited for easier reading by Moderator

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Fuzzy Logic

Join Date 05/2002

+493

Your text is too small to read (

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Thanks Fuzzy, I was having a bit of an issue earlier

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*reads this and scratches head*

This for XP?

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For XP, the folder is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures

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Well.. I have to ask.. Why go to all this trouble?

I don't know about Vista, but in XP it's very simple to change the user pic at logon/on the start menu.

Go to Control Panel
Click on User Accounts
Choose the account to change
Choose Change my Picture
Browse for new pic.

I've never had to change the format or size of a pic to use it before.

*scratches head again*

Are we talking about the same thing??

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Never did either of them, was just pointing to the folder that is similar in XP

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Well it is to allow a person to replace all those default Pics in the user pics folder,By Creating their own CUSTOM user pics and putting them in the appropriate folder, then when wanting to change your user pic through the Control panel user accounts the list is of pics you want, NOT the DEFAULT windows crap! and Yes its for XP. Vista is still in BETA as far as I am concerned, and alot of others around the globe feel this way.

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Well I thought I was giving some helpfull information as a Professional 20 plus year veteran in the computer Industry, and I did make an asumption that most people reading these would have some Computing skills, So If I post any other Info, I'll be sure to be exactly Precise in my descriptions of things, Please forgive me everyone

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@the1guru: You cannot please everyone 100% of the time. Some people ask me what is the point of changing the look of my Windows XP? It has 3 themes already, why more? There is nothing wrong with their perspective as much ours (people who do change the look of their desktop.) Should we stop telling about it because some people does not find any value in it. I say no. Tell it loud for the one person who may be interested in it.

Jewel just showed the easy way to change ONE picture. Your method allows to add more pictures for selection at any time directly from the control panel any user. It helps at least in a scenario where you create limited accounts with no access to folders with your creations.

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Skinhit

Join Date 11/2004

+516

Please forgive me everyone

Dont be sorry sir, your offering info. I think that's a great thing

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HG_Eliminator

Join Date 07/2002

+354

In XP just double click the user icon on the start menu to open the User accounts Apellet .

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There's nothing to forgive the1guru..

What you put up is most definitely helpful and informative. I was simply confused by all the steps to change ONE pic.. Makes a whole lot more sense when you're thinking about changing all those ugly default pics.

I wasn't displeased.. just confused. Don't think most of us would think right off about changing them all. I haven't, but it sure is a good idea. Could have a different pic for each WB you like to use.

Hmmm... goes off to contemplate that.

Thanks the1guru..

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Fuzzy Logic

Join Date 05/2002

+493