WinShake: Get Windows 7 “Aero Shake” and “Aero Peek” Features in XP and Vista

We all know about new "Aero Shake" and "Aero Peek" features present in Windows 7.

"Aero Shake" lets you minimize all running windows except the one which you are currently working on using a simple mouse shake.

"Aero Peek" has replaced the old "Show Desktop" feature in Windows 7. It can be found as a small rectangle present at last in Windows 7 taskbar. When you hover the mouse cursor over it, it allows you to peek behind all open windows by hiding all windows and showing only outlines of all windows.

If you don't have Windows 7 installed in your system but want to enjoy these features in Windows XP or Vista, then here is something interesting for you.

"WinShake" is a very small program which can bring both "Aero Shake" and "Aero Peek" features to Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista. Its size is 600KB and it doesn't take much resources.

This utility has been created by "Fred" @ WinMatrix and here is what the developer says about this program:

It is not a 100% copy of the Windows 7 features, but rather an improvement! The Shake function shakes the window for you and the Peek function allows real access to the desktop instead of just showing it. And it's also an improvement of the Show Desktop icon in your Quick Launch Toolbar: contrary to the original one, this one only minimizes windows and leaves Sidebars and Gadgets and such in peace.

"WinShake" in Action:

You can download it using following links:

Download Link (Rapidshare)

Download Link (Mediafire)

Download Link (Megaupload)

This article was posted in Software Zone, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

Subscribe to RSS Feed | Email Newsletter | More Articles

11 Comments

Tangmeister

Awesome!

But one suggestion:

If a tut or app needs NET Framework or something, could we have this posted in teh article to save people's time if they don't have the requirements?

Just a suggestion,

Tangmeister.
need

This is great but to buggy in vista SP1 x86...maybe only in my PC...
if i use this programs after that my start orb will have start text on it...
sometimes my windows will be half glass and half not after using it...
Fred

Hello all!

Nice to see my program on other sites as well!

- First of all, a new version 1.15 with a few improvements is available:

http://uploading.com/files/DLDFO6P6/WinShake115.zip.html
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6T3DMRB1

- Secondly, to "Tangmeister": no my program does not need .NET Framework. The only requirement is a compatible Windows version: 9x and up for the Shake function, XP and up for the Peek function.

- And thirdly, to "need": if you could send me a detailed description of what you did and what's going wrong on your system... maybe with a picture of it... I would be grateful. Thanks in advance!

Fred
zacharia

1. How to change the text and screen colour of shut down screen in win xp?

2. How to change the color of welcome screen ?

I have changed the welcome text in win xp as per your instruction, it is work fine.

3. Where can i find the winlogon in regedit?

I want to point the winlogon which i edited " winlogon1 "

This is what i followed from the web.

You don't need to overwrite the file. Just make a copy and edit, then, in the registry, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. There's a string value "UIHost", pointing to logonui.exe. Just make the path point to your edited file and you're done.

Thanking you.
Sathya

I'm wondering if there's a program which can um, "emulate" the most useful feature of Aero Peek - that of thumbnail/sneak peak of all windows together (um I hope you get my point), in XP. Aero Peek is a tremendous productivity boost for someone like me, who has atleast 10 windows open at any time. Sadly I can't install Win 7 beta, and get the retail version when its out on my office laptop and thats a bummer

So coming back to my Q - any app which can do a Win 7 Aero peek in XP ?
VG

^^ Following is also another Aero Peek clone for XP. May be you like it?

http://www.askvg.com/get-windows-7-aero-peek-feature-in-windows-xp-and-vista/
Sathya

I did read it, but the description didn't quite meet to my requirements, nevertheless will check and reply.
Thanks
Fred

Hello again!

I just uploaded a big new version 1.50 with many improvements. The main new features are:

- full Vista compatibility and
- an all new function called PeekTop: this makes the active window semi-transparent (level can be set), so that you can work with it and read what's underneath at the same time. When there are "Always-On-Top" windows that might block your view, they are Peeked.

But there's more and... it's on my new [url="http://members.chello.nl/h.h.j.f.beens/WinShake/WinShake.htm"]WinShake Web Site[/url]! So... go and have a look! And let me know what you think!

And to "[b]Sathya[/b]": I know exactly what you mean and... I'm working on it! But it isn't easy, so... be patient!

Fred
Sathya

Fred: Thanks for the update, I'm waiting

For the time being, I'm using ViGlance, not quite what I require but its pretty light http://sathyabh.at/2009/06/28/convert-your-windows-xpvista-ordinary-taskbar-into-windows-7-superbar-and-get-aeropeek-in-windows-xp-vista/
fadly

Wooooooow, is the best !!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)