How to Disable Windows Vista Aero Glass Transparency Effect

Windows Aero user interface in Windows Vista is one of the main amazing feature of Windows Vista, and one of the main reason why users should upgrade to Windows Vista. However, not everybody may want or need Windows Aero Glass transparency effect. Although it’s sexy and nice to have, it’s not necessary, for reason such as burden on system and memory resources, increasing of electricity power bill, usage of computer at office place or conflict with old applications. Here’s how you can disable the 3D Aero Glass interface with transparency effect in Windows Vista.

To disable Windows Aero or switch between Aero Glass and Aero Basic themes (or any of the other themes):

  1. Right-click on any blank spot on desktop area.
  2. On the pop up right click contextual menu, and select “Personalize”.
  3. Select “Windows Color and Appearance” option.

    Personalize Window Color and Appearance

  4. If you just want to disable Transparency, simply uncheck the “Enable Transparency” option.

    Window Color and Apperance

  5. To disable the Windows Aero theme altogether, click on the “Open classic apperance properties for more color options” link located at the bottom of Window Color and Apperance window.
  6. In the Appearance Setting dialog box, select Windows Vista Basic or any other themes listed in the “Color Scheme” except Windows Aero such as Windows Standard which looks similar to Windows 2000 user interface style to disable Windows Aero.

    Appearance Settings

  7. Click OK.

If you want to go through the path of Control Panel in Windows Vista, here the links that you should clicked:

  1. Click on Start button, and then click on Control Panel.
  2. Click on “Appearance and Personalization”.
  3. Under the section of Personalization, click “Change the color scheme” link.

    Change the Color Scheme

  4. You will see the same Appearance Settings dialog. So just select Windows Vista Basic or any other non-Aero themes.
  5. Click OK.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 13th, 2007 at 5:34 pm and is filed under Windows Vista. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4 Responses to “How to Disable Windows Vista Aero Glass Transparency Effect”

  1. WiFi
    November 14th, 2009 14:18
    4

    I just disabled the transparency capability of my Windows 7 Ultimate and I’m so glad that it resolved the flickering issue. <

  2. DocNGo
    December 4th, 2008 05:34
    3

    Thanks very much!

  3. Disable Windows Aero via Vista Registry » My Digital Life
    March 15th, 2007 23:09
    2

    [...] than option to disable or turn off Windows Aero Glass 3D transparency effects via graphical user interface (GUI), it’s also possible to manually and directly edit the [...]

  4. Jug
    March 13th, 2007 20:06
    1

    Just disabling transparency alone won’t release the memory allocated by the DWM engine, only switching to Vista Basic or Windows Classic will do there. This is usually the solution for incompatibilities too, although Windows Vista should automatically reduce the quality to these modes if necessary to retain compatibility.

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