Change Boot Screen (32-bit only for now)

There is finally an easy way (easier than before) to change your Windows Vista boot screen and use any high resolution photo as your boot screen. Using a great tool written by Dan Smith it is now possible to automatically generate the replacement language MUI file that contains your boot image files. All you need is two photos at 800x600 and 1024x768 saved as 24-bit windows bitmaps. Then follow these steps:

Download Dan Smith's Vista Boot Logo Generator.
Install and then run from the link in the Start Menu.
Hit Browse for image and select both the 800x600 and 1024x768 resolution bitmap files for your boot screen.
Click on File and select Save Boot Screen File as and save your file.
Next, you will need to replace the winload.exe.mui file in c:\Windows\System32\en-us with the one you just created. Before you copy in your new file, make a backup of the original. You will need to take ownership of all files in en-us as well as give your account file permissions to replace the file as well in order to copy the new winload.exe.mui file in.
The last step is to enable the alternative boot screen setting as shown in this tweak.

The next time you reboot you should see your new boot screen. If you have problems with Windows not booting properly, boot up with the Windows Vista install CD and replace the winload.exe.mui file with your backup.

3D Cube Virtual Desktop

Yod'm 3D is a virtual desktop manager that allows you to have 4 different desktops arranged on a 3D cube. Holding down CTRL+SHIFT and using the left or right arrow keys rotate the cube showing the virtual desktops. Alternatively, you can click and drag your mouse to switch desktops.
Video: TweakVista.com demo of Yod'm 3D *
* Because of the capture software I used, the video is very choppy. Normally, the cube spins very smoothly.
Download this free desktop manager from Chris' Soft.

Microsoft releases new Ultimate Extras

Windows Ultimate users finally have some new Ultimate Extras to download. Released today was two new sound schemes and additional DreamScene content. Windows Ultimate users can download the new extras now by going to Windows Update in Control Panel.
New Sounds
Two new sound schemes have been released:
Ultimate Extras Glass – Similar to the default sound scheme but with a “glassy edge.”
Ultimate Extras Pearl – Cleaner, clearer and brighter than the glass scheme.