HOW To Disable Acrylic/Blurred background on Windows Logon Screen

If you’d like to turn off the acrylic blur effect on your Windows logon screen—for example, to make your Windows Log-in background image sharper or more professional—this guide will walk you through the process. We’ll show you how to safely add a registry key that disables the acrylic background blur on the Windows logon screen.

What Is the Acrylic Background on the Windows Logon Screen?

When you start or lock your Windows computer, you’ll notice that the background behind the login prompt appears blurred with a frosted glass effect. This is called the “acrylic” background. While it can look modern and stylish, you may want to see your custom background image clearly, or you might need a more visually accessible sign-in screen.

Why Disable the Acrylic Background?

• Clarity: See your chosen background image on the sign-in screen without blur.

• Professional Aesthetics: Organizations can display clear branding or important information on the login background.

• Accessibility: Improves readability for users who find the blur distracting or visually challenging.

How to Disable the Acrylic Background Effect

This change involves editing the Windows Registry. The registry is a powerful tool, so please follow the steps carefully. If you’re not comfortable editing the registry, consider asking your IT support team for help.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.

2. Type regedit and press Enter.

3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to continue.

Step 2: Navigate to the Correct Registry Path

1. In the Registry Editor, use the left sidebar to navigate to the following location:

   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

2. If the System key does not exist under Windows, you’ll need to create it:

   • Right-click on Windows, select New > Key, and name it System.

Step 3: Add the DisableAcrylicBackgroundOnLogon Value

1. Right-click in the right pane of the System key and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

2. Name the new value DisableAcrylicBackgroundOnLogon (exactly as shown).

3. Double-click the new value and set its Value data to 1.

4. Click OK to save your changes.

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

1. Close the Registry Editor.

2. Restart your computer to apply the change.

What to Expect After Making This Change

After you restart your PC, the acrylic blur effect will be removed from your Windows logon screen. Your chosen background image will appear crisp and clear behind the login prompt.

How to Revert the Change

If you ever want to restore the acrylic effect, simply go back to the same registry location and delete the DisableAcrylicBackgroundOnLogon value (or set its value data to 0). Restart your computer, and the blur effect will return.

Need Help?

If you’re not sure about editing the registry or you’re working in a managed environment (like a library or organization), we recommend reaching out to your IT support team for assistance. Making changes to the registry can affect system settings, so always proceed with caution.

This method was tested for organizations like Richmond Public Library in British Columbia, Canada, to help them display clear video backgrounds on their Windows logon screens. We hope it helps you achieve the look you want!