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Introduction to the Service
HSIT offers each covered school the ability to customize the login screen displayed on managed Windows computers.
Supported Aspect Ratios and Resolutions
HSIT supports the following aspect ratios and resolutions:
- 16:9 - 2560 × 1440 pixels
- 16:10 - 1900 × 1200 pixels
- 5:4 - 1280 × 1024 pixels
- 4K - 3840 × 2160 pixels
- DCI 4K - 4096 × 2160 pixels
For the best results please submit artwork in the exact dimensions listed above whenever possible. Accepted file types: .PNG, .JPG (max quality preferred), .TIFF
IT can also resize a primary image for the supported screen sizes. We recommend providing:
- Widescreen image: at least 4800 × 2700 pixels
- 5:4 image: at least 1280 × 1024 pixels
Submitting artwork at a higher resolution provides greater flexibility when resizing the image for different screen formats.
Request Procedure
If you are part of a communications or marketing group and are interested in using this service, please follow the procedure below:
- Draft an email to help@hs.pitt.edu at least two weeks before your campaign begins.
- Submit your artwork at the highest available resolution. Please provide images in the exact dimensions listed above whenever possible.
- Include your requested campaign dates and any other relevant information with your submission.
HSIT will review the submission and coordinate deployment of the customized login screen to applicable managed Windows computers. If this is the first time your covered school is participating in a lock screen campaign, HSIT will work with you to coordinate an announcement email to the appropriate user group notifying them of the upcoming change.
Lock Screen Preview Tool
HSIT also offers designers access to a lock screen preview tool (must be signed into GlobalProtect) that allows you to preview how your artwork will appear on a Windows lock screen before submitting it. This tool allows for designers to directly test their work for any possible visual collisions with fixed Windows lock screen elements such as the time, date, and Internet connectivity icon in the bottom-right corner.
If you do not currently have access to the preview tool, please email help@hs.pitt.edu to request the ability to load the tool.
How IT Deploys the Artwork
HSIT uses two systems to deliver the correct artwork size to computers.
For desktop computers a small program detects the screen resolution and automatically assigns the artwork in the exact size or the closest available match.
The second system delivers the appropriate artwork to standardized device laptops which are all configured with widescreen displays.
It may take up to 2 restarts before a new lock screen applies but it mostly works after logging out and back in.
Sample of a Custom Lock Screen
This sample was provided by the School of Dental Medicine. This screen runs on all HSIT managed Dental Medicine machines between specific information campaigns.
