How to Change the Ubuntu Login Screen

This detailed and step by step guide will show you how to change the login screen and lock screen in Ubuntu Linux.

This did not used to be so… involved. It’s not that it’s difficult to change the Ubuntu lock/login screen, it’s that it takes quite a few more steps than it should. Fortunately most of the process only has to be done once, so it’ll be much easier to change the lock screen going forward.

1. First up you’ll have to install some software. Open a Terminal and enter the commands:
   

   sudo apt-get install girl1.2-clutter-1.0
   sudo apt-get install gnome-tweaks



2. Depending on the version of Ubuntu you’re using you may not actually need Gnome Tweaks, but it’s quite small and doesn’t hurt to have installed. Plus, it’s the app you need to switch Ubuntu themes.
3. Now fire up Firefox and head over to the GNOME Shell integration Firefox addon page and install it. The installation is the same as it is for all Firefox addons – just click the + Add to Firefox button.



4. While you’re still using Firefox, head over to the Lock screen background extension page. Once the page has loaded, toggle the ON/OFF switch to ON



5. Click the Install button when you’re prompted to install the extension.



6. Once the extension is installed, confirm the switch is in the ON position.



7. Bring up the Ubuntu search panel and enter the word extensions. This will bring up Tweaks (which is Gnome Tweaks) and depending on your version of Ubuntu, it may bring up the Extensions app. It doesn’t matter which you use – both accomplish exactly the same thing, and we’ll go over both methods. If you’re using the Tweaks app, jump down to step #9 – if you’re using the Extensions app, proceed with step #8.



8. Look for the Lock screen background extension in the Manually installed section. Make sure the ON/OFF toggle is ON, and then click the Settings button – which looks a bit like a gear (see screenshot below). Now jump down to step #10.



9. Select Extensions from the column on the left side of the Tweaks app. Find the extension titled Lock screen background and make sure that the ON/OFF toggle is set to ON. Click the Settings button – which looks a bit like a gear (see screenshot below).



10. Make sure that Enable Function is enabled, and then click the Browse button.



11. Navigate to the picture you want to use as your Lock screen (and blurred as your login screen), select it and then click Open



12. You can now close the Lock screen background window.


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13. To test it out, lock your PC by clicking the System menu in the upper-right corner of your Ubuntu desktop and selecting Lock



14. Ta-da! There’s your new lock screen background.


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15. The next time you sign out and back in again, you’ll see your new login screen – which is a blurred version of your lock screen.


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