Create Branding and Custom Graphics

You can use custom branding and graphics in your version of Windows® Internet Explorer®. You should prepare these files before you create the custom package.

Note

Branding changes distributed to people using automatic configuration are not applied if the Disable external branding of Internet Explorer policy is enabled in Group Policy. This policy prevents branding of Internet programs by a non-Microsoft company, such as an Internet service provider or an Internet content provider. Before preparing graphics for the logo, consult your license agreement to verify that the particular customization is available to you.

In Internet Explorer 8, you can customize graphics in the browser, the connection wizard, and the autorun splash screen.

Internet Explorer browser

You can customize the following graphics in Internet Explorer:

Graphic Size and type Additional notes

Browser toolbar button

Two icon files with color images for active and inactive states

Icons for Favorites list

16 x 16 pixel .bmp file for each URL you want to add

 

Autorun splash screen (if you distribute your custom package on a CD)

540 x 357 pixel bitmap, displayed when the user inserts the CD

Before you create the splash screen, you must convert any 24-bit images to 256-color identity palette.

Internet Connection Wizard Internet sign-up

You can customize the following graphic in the Internet Connection Wizard:

Graphic Size and type

Top image, appearing in the upper-right corner of the wizard

Note
This customization (as well as Internet sign-up in general) does not apply to the Windows Vista® operating system.

49 x 49 pixel .bmp file

Autorun splash screen

These instructions assume that you are starting with 24-bit RGB (red, green, blue) bitmap files. If your file is not a 24-bit RGB bitmap, you must convert it.

To create a bitmap for the Autorun splash screen

  1. Create a 256-color bitmap image (540 x 357 pixels).

    This bitmap should provide an introduction to the product and should contain labels for the two buttons: one for installing Internet Explorer and one for displaying more information.

  2. In your graphics program, create a working file for your palette. To do this, paste both your background and your button file into a single file. Make sure to paste the files side by side, not overlapping.

  3. Save the file as Palette.bmp.

    Note

    The dimensions of the bitmap are important, because the dialog box will resize to the bitmap dimensions. If the bitmap is not wide enough, text in the dialog box may appear clipped.

Additional references