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Windows 7

Change Your Account Picture

SUMMARY: Change the picture that appears on the Start Menu and Welcome screen in Windows 7.

When you click the Windows 7 Start menu or access the Welcome screen (if you lock your computer you will see this, for example), a picture appears representing your account. If you do not like this image, you can choose from a gallery of installed images, download and use an image from the Internet, or use an image on your hard drive from another source.

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click on your account image to open the "User Accounts" Control Panel.

3. When the "User Accounts" Control Panel opens, click "Change your picture".

Changing the account picture

4. The dialog box will display a gallery of available images including pictures of balls, flowers, and pets. Click on an image to select it as your account picture. Or, click the "Browse for more pictures" link to use another picture on your hard drive or other media, such as an image downloaded from the Internet.

Choosing an account picture

5. Click the "Change Picture" button, then close the "User Accounts" Control Panel.

This tip was written for Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the official release of Windows 7.