How to Enable or Disable the Aero Effect on Windows Vista

Windows Vista represents a tremendous improvement over Windows XP in the visual department. Windows Vista includes the Aero effect, allowing for windows and other screen elements to appear transparent as if staring through glass. This may not be an effect that you enjoy, or one you wish to adjust. Fortunately, Windows Vista makes it easy for users to customize the graphical user interface (GUI), and you can enable or disable the Aero effect with ease.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Windows Vista

Enable or Disable the Aero Effect in Windows Vista

1. Let Windows Vista start normally and log into your personal account. You do not need administrative privileges to enable or disable the Aero effect, as it is a personal setting and can be different for each user.
2. Right-click on an empty space on the desktop to bring up the desktop's context menu. Make sure you're not clicking on an icon or a file as this will open an entirely different context menu.
3. Click "Properties" in the context menu. This will open a window containing various setting for Windows Vista's desktop.
4. Click on the drop-down menu and select the "Windows Color and Appearance" option.
5. Select one of the color schemes you wish to use for your Windows appearance. By default it is set to clear glass (marked "Default"). Simply click on the color scheme you wish to use.
6. Click on the box marked "Enable Transparency" to enable or disable the Aero effect. If there is a check in the box, transparency is enabled.
7. Use the slider marked "Transparency" to adjust the level of transparency you wish to use for the Windows Aero effect. The further right along the slider, the more transparent your windows will appear.
8. Click the "OK" button to enable your changes. You may click the "Cancel" button if you are unhappy with your adjustments and simply wish to leave the settings as they are.

Tips & Warnings

• Enable or disable the Aero effect to help adjust overall system performance. Graphic effects like the Aero glass effect can occupy a lot of system and graphics memory, and if you disable it you will likely see an increase in performance.
• Don't make Aero so transparent that windows and other elements become difficult to read or perceive. Doing so can actually make it difficult to use the effects with any great level of ability.

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