Display logon banners for Windows PCs via Windows Registry

Do you need to show a custom message or legal warning before users sign into their Windows PCs? You can do this by setting up a logon banner. Windows lets you display a message before login, and you don’t need expensive tools or Group Policy for it—just a simple Registry tweak.

Here’s how you can set up a logon banner using the Windows Registry.

What’s a Logon Banner?

A logon banner is a message or warning that appears before the Windows login screen. It’s commonly used for:

• Legal disclaimers
• Security notices
• Policy reminders
• Company announcements

Users must acknowledge the message before logging in.

Steps to Set a Logon Banner via Registry

1. Open Registry Editor

• Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
• If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.

2. Navigate to the Banner Settings

Go to the following Registry path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

3. Add or Edit Banner Values

You’ll need to set two values here:

• LegalNoticeCaption: The title of your banner window.
• LegalNoticeText: The message text users will see.

To set these:

• Right-click in the right pane and select New > String Value.
• Name one value LegalNoticeCaption and the other LegalNoticeText.
• Double-click each value to edit them.

Example:

• LegalNoticeCaption: Company Policy Notice
• LegalNoticeText: Unauthorized use of this computer is prohibited. All activity is monitored.

4. Apply and Test

• Close the Registry Editor.
• Restart your computer or sign out and back in.
• Your logon banner should appear before the user can enter their credentials.

Things to Know

• Changes apply to all users on the PC.
• If you’re in a domain, Group Policy can override these settings.
• For many PCs, you can automate this using a .reg file.

Quick .REG File Example

If you’re rolling this out to multiple machines, save the following as logonbanner.reg and double-click to apply:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"LegalNoticeCaption"="Company Policy Notice"
"LegalNoticeText"="Unauthorized use of this computer is prohibited. All activity is monitored."

Final Tips

• Always back up the Registry before making changes.
• Keep messages short and clear.
• Use this for compliance, not just as a reminder—users must acknowledge it before logging in.

If you found this useful or have questions about customizing your Windows environment, drop a comment below!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!