How to Enable Aero in Windows Vista

Windows Aero is a graphics display option which comes with Windows Vista Home Premium, Enterprise, Business and Ultimate. Windows Aero includes attractive visual effects such as transparency effects, additional colors, greater color customization and taskbar window previews. It's simple to enable Windows Aero in Windows Vista. It also includes Flip 3D, which allows you to browse your open windows in a three-dimensional interface. Windows Aero requires a 1 gigahertz (GHz) processor, 1 gigabyte (GB) of memory and a 128 MB video card.

Enabling Windows Aero in Windows Vista

Click the Start button, then click "Control Panel." Click "Appearance and Personalization." Then click "Personalization." Click "Window Color and Appearance." Select "Open classic appearance properties for more color options." In the "Appearance Settings" dialog box, select "Windows Aero" as the color scheme.

When Windows Aero is enabled in Windows Vista, you can begin to customize and personalize the theme to your preferences. In the Personalization screen, click "Window Color and Appearance" again. Select the color you like best from the color palette at the top of the screen. Select the check box beside "Enable transparency" if you want your windows to be transparent. Then slide the "Color intensity" slider from side to side. Watch the top of the window to see how the color changes. Stop sliding the bar when the color is the way you want it. If you prefer, you can click the button beside "Show color mixer" to create a more customized color for your Windows Aero theme. Move the "Hue," "Saturation" and "Brightness" sliders until the color at the top of the window is to your preference. Using this method, you can use custom colors such as purple, green and yellow in your Windows Aero theme. Click "OK."

Troubleshooting Windows Aero in Windows Vista

Microsoft has a diagnostic tool that can automatically detect and repair problems with Windows Aero. Using this tool is the simplest way to troubleshoot problems with Windows Aero. If you prefer the do-it-yourself approach, there are other things you can do to troubleshoot Windows Aero. If Windows Aero isn't working properly, you might not have enough video memory to run it. You will need a minimum of 64 megabytes (MB) of video memory to support a monitor with a resolution of 1280 by 1024, 128 MB to support a monitor with up to 1600 by 1200 resolution and 256 MB to support a monitor with up to 2560 by 1600 resolution. If your computer doesn't have sufficient video memory to support Windows Aero, the best way to solve the problem is to upgrade your video card. There are many video cards currently on the market which have 512 MB or higher video memory. You might need to update the video card drivers after you install the card. You also might need to update your computer's performance score to enable Windows Aero. To do this, click the Start button, click "Control Panel," then select "System and Maintenance." Click "Performance Information and Tools." Select "Update my score."

Next, you should ensure that your display settings are correct. Click the Start button, then click "Control Panel." Click "Appearance and Personalization" and "Personalization." Click "Display Settings." Under "Colors," select "Highest (32 bit)." Click "OK."

Your monitor refresh rate must also be properly set. Check the user manual that came with your monitor to find the correct refresh rate. If you don't have your user manual, check the manufacturer's website to download a copy. When you find the correct refresh rate, return to Control Panel. Under "Appearance and Personalization," click "Adjust Screen Resolution." Select "Advanced Settings," then click the "Monitor" tab. Under "Screen refresh rate," select the correct rate from the drop-down menu. If your monitor can take a lower refresh rate than the recommended rate, make sure that the refresh rate is greater than 10 Hz. Click "OK."

Sources:

"Troubleshoot problems with Windows Aero" Microsoft.com