How to turn off the fancy Windows Vista Aero interface
Windows Vista has a fancy new Aero interface that makes the windows look like glass and provides very cool 3D effects. Performance tests have shown that Aero won’t slow your computer down. However, you might want to disable Aero if you prefer a simpler user interface or if you need to take screenshots.
To disable Windows Aero and return to a simpler time, follow the steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Appearance and Personalization.
3. Under Personalization, click Change the color scheme.
4. In the Appearance Settings dialog, click Windows Vista Basic, and then click OK. Or, if you prefer a Windows 2000-style interface, click Windows Standard, and then click OK.
Windows Vista will think for a bit, and then it’ll turn off all the 3D effects.
For more information, read the Windows Vista Resource Kit (co-authored by your very own Tony Northrup). Got a question for Tony? Send an e-mail to qa@vistaclues.com.
Posted: December 7th, 2006 under Administration, Aero.
Comments: 12
Comments
Comment from The Man
Time: January 17, 2007, 5:05 pm
An earlier article in the same series states that Aero makes NO difference to performance. Go figure.
Comment from Tony
Time: January 17, 2007, 5:14 pm
Good point about Aero performance. I updated the article to reflect recent performance tests.
Pingback from Windows XP and Windows Vista Performance Compared – Windows Vista help
Time: January 17, 2007, 5:15 pm
[...] Vista with Aero performs about the same as Vista without Aero. So, don’t feel like you need to disable Aero for performance. [...]
Pingback from Vista Installation Questions – SkyUser – The unofficial support forum for everything Sky!
Time: February 3, 2007, 9:55 pm
[...] Re: Vista Installation Questions Try this link – i was fortunate to get an ATI x1950 Crossfire the same day and have no problems whatsoever How to turn off the fancy Windows Vista Aero interface – Windows Vista help __________________ ~ Never, ever, argue with an idiot. They’ll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience ~ [...]
Pingback from Connect to a Computer using Remote Desktop – Windows Vista help
Time: March 18, 2007, 1:20 pm
[...] support Aero, you can use Aero within Remote Desktop. This works even if the client computer has Aero disabled, so long as the computer supports [...]
Comment from t0r0x
Time: April 9, 2007, 11:08 pm
Running AMD Athlon 3000+ 64Bit
1024 DDR
GeForce 6800GT 128
Disabeling Aero and sidebar is a must here, because running games as bf2142 and bf2 lags incredible with those two on. Disableing them gives an noticeable performance boost here.
Comment from Ben Okulski
Time: June 27, 2007, 9:11 pm
Why does Microsoft make it so NON-intuitive and difficult to turn off the Aero effects? Go to Appearance and Personalization — OK, makes sense. But then go to Change the Color Scheme????
Comment from Rish
Time: August 5, 2007, 12:13 pm
Thanks for your help, I was having a time trying to turn off the 3D desktop due to a driver problem. I think they can make this more strait forward like putting this setting in themes or somewhere more logical.
Comment from Anonymous
Time: August 15, 2007, 9:34 pm
Running AMD Athlon 3000+ 64Bit
1024 DDR
GeForce 6800GT 128
Disabeling Aero and sidebar is a must here, because running games as bf2142 and bf2 lags incredible with those two on. Disableing them gives an noticeable performance boost here.
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DUH. Upgrade the system specs.
Comment from Anonymous
Time: September 20, 2007, 3:15 am
Windows already dose that on most games (mostly for compatibility reasons) will disable the areo automaticly so there tends to be no need for you to disable it for games.
Comment from LsTrOfSmG
Time: March 18, 2008, 1:33 am
Aero is absolutely pointless anyway – in fact Vista remains an over bloated OS, personally until they fix all the rubbish involved with Vista I’m going to maintain my PC dual booted with both XP and Vista.
Aero is just another annoying example of style over substance.
Comment from Hennell
Time: April 27, 2008, 9:42 pm
How do I turn it back on? The aero option has disapeared from those options?
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