We all know that Microsoft has added a new theme "Aero Lite" in Windows 8 which is considered as a replacement for existing "Windows Basic" theme in Windows Vista and 7.
Aero Lite theme is enabled by default in computer systems which don't support Aero interface. Following is a screenshot of Aero Lite theme running in Windows 8:
As you can see "Aero Lite" theme doesn't provide Aero Glass and looks very basic.
Today we are going to share a secret trick to enable or activate Aero Glass effect in Windows 8 "Aero Lite" theme. This secret trick is actually a bug / goof-up which might get fixed in RTM version of Windows 8. You may also consider it as a hidden easter-egg in Windows 8.
To enable Aero Glass in Aero Lite theme, you need to follow these simple steps:
STEP 1. Right-click on Windows 8 Desktop and select "Personalize" option. It'll open Personalization window.
Make sure default Aero theme is applied. If it is not, apply Aero theme.
Now click on "Window Color" link given at the bottom of the window. Keep the window opened.
STEP 2. Now again right-click on Desktop and select "Personalize" option. It'll open another Personalization window. Now click on "Windows Basic" theme to apply Aero Lite theme.
It'll apply Aero Lite theme and obviously you'll not get Aero glass.
STEP 3. Now the tricky part comes. Go to previously opened Personalization window which we opened in Step 1.
Uncheck "Enable transparency" option and then re-check it. Click on "Save changes" button and get ready to enjoy Aero glass in "Aero Lite" (Windows Basic) theme.
Check out following video to see the whole procedure live in action:
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Windows 8
David
Great Trick :D Very very great :D
BlacMoon
:)
Its nice working trick too....
arif034
wow.... nice trick.. going to try it right now
Prashant Ghai
Sweet....enjoying the transparency :-)
EGA
wow it work...thanks :)
@VG bdw, is this w8 bug or what? :D
Someone
Good. I didn't know.
alex
works great
alex
would this work in winodws 7 for classic mode
SMBR
Great..!
Marcelo
AWESOME TIP!
tks!!
A Lazy Beginner
Wow....I love askvg.com
John
Working
David
There is a secondary way to enable the Aero Lite with Glass:
1) Switch to Aero Lite.
2) Open Services MMC console. (services.msc to the app search charm)
3) In MMC search for Themes and stop it.
4) Then right-click the Themes service and select Properties.
5) Set the Startup Type to Disabled and save the settings.
6) Switch to Aero Glass.
Sorry for my English, I am Czech.
John
Dear this doesn't work in RTM yet you've referred it in you revised RTM-version of win8 feature-review. Please explain or make amendments as necessary.
VG
^^ Thanks for the heads up. Updated the review.
Angel
This works on Windows 8 RTM 9200?
fox
urg windows 8 looks so ugly , no rounded corners, no real blurred glass :/
Is theer a windows 7 theme for 8?
VG
^^ Currently no but there will be many themes for Windows 8 in coming days. Wait for some time. ;)
fox
there is no "enable transparency" option in the latest built of Windows 8 Professional ?!
Any idea how to get glass working anyways ?
fox
>Wait for some time. ;)
sounds promising :) no hurry i just hope that it will come at all :)
Still fine with 7 tho
Hugo
It is not working in Windows 8 RTM 9200
Enable transparency is not appear =(
_I need help_the checkbox 'enable transparency' isn't appear in the personalize windows > color_why??my windows is Windows 8 Pro build 9200
VG
^^ Microsoft has removed it from RTM version.
David
I can't find the "Windows Basic" theme, there is only "Windows"
???
TRANSPARENCY
nice... BUT I DO NOT HAVE TRANSPARENCY ! ! !
Hayden
Aero does not work. I run Windows 8 Pro Final Release... should that change anything?
VG
^^ Please check following:
http://www.askvg.com/finally-a-way-to-enable-transparency-in-windows-8-without-any-bug-or-glitch/
http://www.askvg.com/yet-another-easy-way-to-get-full-transparency-in-windows-8/
Deepo
Hello
You say "Make sure default Aero theme is applied."
But there's no Aero theme. How can I apply it if it doesn't exist in the list?
You tell this as it is obvious, but it isn't.
So all this is for nothing....
BobT
Microsoft got rid of the glass theme altogether, no more option to enable it.
The only thing that's left is some trick that people do with the "high contrast" theme and the "color" options. I don't remember exactly how to do it, but it will make your window borders *transparent*, not *translucent". Also, I've found that when I do this the window captions get blurred. It's a very buggy solution.
Microsoft did this to make everybody comply with the new "Metro" interface. They want us to conform to the collective like the good little sheeple that we are.