Change the Windows XP Bootskin

Many users think that replacing the Windows XP Bootskin, that is the graphic that is displayed during system boot, is a complicated process. That’s actually far from the truth. Stardock have created the software Bootskin which is available freely on their website. The application is easy to use and does not come with all the SchnickSchnack (that’s bells and whistles) that one would normally expect in those programs.

It basically comes down to selecting a new bootskin and pressing apply. Bootskin comes with five boot skins preinstalled and more than 6000 can be downloaded from the WinCustomize website. You can find all kinds of boot skins on that website, from seasonal ones to TV shows, Movies, Celebrities and Art.

The website unfortunately displays only 8 boot skins per page which means that a user who wants to see them all has to view more than 800 pages on that website. Boot skins can be sorted by a number of criteria including rating, download and picks from the staff.

Cautious users will be delighted to hear that it is always possible to revert back to the original Windows boot skin which can be selected in the program interface just like any other boot skin.

One interesting feature is to randomly select a boot skin during Windows startup, great for users who like more than one boot skin and do not want to make a decision.