Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to enable Aero
• Method 2 of 2: How to turn visual effects on and off
• Tips
• Warnings

Windows Aero is a Windows graphics theme introduced in Windows Vista. It creates semi-transparent windows and adds minimize and maximize effects. Typically, Windows Aero is enabled by default; if not, it can be quickly activated. If Aero slows down your system, turn off some or all of the effects.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to enable Aero

1. 1 Make sure your computer meets the requirements. Aero consumes a lot of system resources, so make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements first. To view a list of your computer's hardware, click ⊞ Win+Pause.
   • 1 gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) or 1 GHz x64 processor.
   • 1 GB of system memory.
   • DirectX 9 graphics card with 128MB of memory.
   • Windows Vista Home Premium or better (Home Basic and Starter do not support Aero)
2. 2 Right click on the desktop.
3. 3 Select "Personalization" from the menu.
4. 4 Click on Windows Color and Appearance.
5. 5 Select "Windows Aero" from the list of color schemes.
6. 6 Click Apply.

Method 2 of 2: How to turn visual effects on and off

1. 1 Open the start menu.
2. 2 Enter sysdm.cpl and press ↵ Enter.
3. 3 Go to the tab Additionally.
4. 4 Click Options in the Performance section.
5. 5 Uncheck the boxes next to the effects you want to turn off. Disabling certain effects will help improve performance.
   • Disable Transparency Effect to maximize system performance, but remember that this is one of the key features that make Aero a unique graphics theme.
   • Check the box next to "Provide best performance" to disable all Aero effects.
6. 6 Click Apply. You may have to wait a few minutes for the changes to take effect.

Tips

• To use Windows Flip 3D, click ⊞ Win+Tab ↹and then release Tab ↹ (that is, hold down ⊞ Win). All open windows are displayed in the 3D list. Use the mouse wheel or the arrow keys to scroll through the list. To open one of the windows, just click on its picture.
• Another interesting feature is Live Miniatures. Hover your mouse over a window in the taskbar - a small thumbnail of the window will open.

Warnings

• Windows Vista Aero can slow down the system, especially with regard to the transparency effect. Only use Aero if you really want to.