Enable Aero Glass...Step By Step!

By CollegeGuy
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Apprentice

CollegeGuy

Posted
Posted (edited)

I just enabled Aero Glass and it's pretty cool. You need to have a pretty fast processor (this is very intensive especially with the 4074 explorer leak) and at least a 128mb DX9 compatible card with Pixel Shader 2.0. I have a RADEON 9600 XT and IMO it is the minimum for this effect. Also, you should probably make a registry backup or a restore point just for sh**s and giggles ;) . Follow these steps:

1. Start with a clean install. Seriously, if you don't start fresh there may be problems (i.e. i applied tweaks and fixes, especially the explorer leak fix, and the glass effect just wouldn't work!) Also, important, make sure the sidebar is active!

2. Download this skin (theme), extract it, and put the folder named "Aero" in the Windows/Resources/Themes folder. Then, open the folder, double click aero.msstyles, and click OK in the window (Display Properties) that pops up. NOTE: If the link above for the skin does not work (which it should), just search google for "dwm skins", or "ExplorerGlass-BOFH-Beta2.rar" and you should find it easily.

3. Add this key to the registry by following these instructions: Type "regedit" in the "Run" box on your Start Menu, then navigate to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Right click in the window, then highlight "new", then "DWORD Value". Name it MILExplorer, then right click MILExplorer (you just created it) and select "Modify". Enter a 1 in the "Value data" box.

4. NOW restart your computer.

5. Once rebooted, go to the Start Menu, click on "Run" and type the following in the box to start DWM:

rundll32 c:/windows/system32/uxdesk.dll,DwmStartComposition

6. That's it! Aero Glass! COOL!

NOTE: You will not be able to use IE/Explorer (You won't see your windows) unless you enable DWM by following step 5 AS SOON as you reboot. Trust me, don't try to open any windows 'cause you won't see 'em unless DWM is started. Don't worry though, you can still get to the Start Menu and the "Run" box.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that DWM MUST be reactivated every time you reboot because it doesn't start automatically. As I explain in the NOTE, you won't be able to use explorer/IE if you don't. An easy way around this is to create a batch file and place it in your "Startup" folder so it will always initiate upon startup.

I did not create this skin nor did I come up with this method. This is just what I have found by looking around on the 'net for hours trying to figure out how to get this cool effect. The skin is BOFH's and is an example of his great work! Thanks.

post-97126-1110806668_thumb.jpg

Edited by CollegeGuy
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https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/296493-enable-aero-glassstep-by-step/
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Apprentice

CollegeGuy

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Is this just for Longhorn? (i'm guessing by what forum this is in)

Can you get rid of it and/or change back to another theme without removing this one?

Do you need a patched uxtheme.dll file?

585614682[/snapback]

Yes, this is just for Longhorn (4074 only as far as I know). No, you can't change to another glass theme without removing this one (or at least moving it to another folder besides Themes) Use the one I specified or another glass dwm skin, if you find a good one, but if you do change to another glass theme, you'll have to move the old folder named Aero to a seperate location, as I'm pretty sure for this to work whatever theme you use for the glass effect has to be named "Aero". There is no need to patch uxtheme.dll, I'm pretty sure you only have to do that for XP.

Apprentice

CollegeGuy

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Why don't you do step 5 in the registry?, in the Run section.

585614692[/snapback]

Sorry i don't quite understand the question, do you mean initiating the command from the registry, if so i didn't know that was possible. The way I explained works for me, but if you know what you're doing then by all means. :) My guide is simply the easiest way I found to do it.

Apprentice

andyandy

Posted
Posted

Assuming the 'reg' command is available on Longhorn (it is on XP...) you can substitute step 3 with this:

reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer /v MILExplorer /t REG_DWORD /d 1

and step 5 with this (cred to The_Decryptor for this, see post above :)):

reg add HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v Glass /t REG_SZ /d "rundll32 c:/windows/system32/uxdesk.dll,DwmStartComposition"

Would be nice to try this myself, but no Longhorn availble here. Thanks anyways CollegeGuy :)

Grand Master

Nexus-

Posted
Posted
i cant believe people are still playing around this old build, im just going to wait for the next pdc build and then for the beta1.....i havnt installed my pdc2004 longhorn for sooooo long

585623522[/snapback]

rofl beta 1 is coming before pdc and the m9 developer preview is coming at winhec before beta 1 :laugh: Whats even more funny is there never was a pdc 2004

Rising Star

GCNaddict

Posted
Posted

/me laughs at all of you

there is an easy way to make it so that aero glass will work without dwm. it involves hacking a file though :p and finding the file is still a daunting task :)

but once thats done, you can run glass side/taskbars without turning on dwm :)

an example

(geez, i posted that pic in two threads already... >_<)

Grand Master

cpu killer

Posted
Posted
/me laughs at all of you

there is an easy way to make it so that aero glass will work without dwm. it involves hacking a file though :p and finding the file is still a daunting task :)

but once thats done, you can run glass side/taskbars without turning on dwm :)

an example

(geez, i posted that pic in two threads already... >_<)

585626088[/snapback]

http://www.aeroxp.net/board//index.php?showtopic=103

Some people in other boards (like this one ) wished they could be able to run the aero glass taskbar and the semi-transparent sidebar without the "bugginess" of having the DWM enabled.

If you dare hack a single DLL and exchange a couple characters (to keep CRC check from getting aware of the hack) then you can have the usual Jade theme working perfectly without needing to enable DWM nor needing to keep changing the registry one and other time just to keep that.

You'll need a good hex editor.

Here you go:

Start your hex editor and, with explorer, go to

WINDOWS\assembly\gac_32\System.Windows.Explorer\6.0.3708.0__a29c01bbd4e39ac5

Copy System.Windows.Explorer.dll now into System.Windows.Explorer.dll.bin

and stop Explorer.exe from task manager.

edit System.Windows.Explorer.dll.bin

With the hex editor, search for this string:

4d0049004c004500 (it's the equivalent of MILE in Unicode)

and replace it with:

49004d004c004500 (the equivalent of LIME) hence no CRC damage

Now rename System.Windows.Explorer.dll into System.Windows.Explorer.dll.bak

and rename System.Windows.Explorer.dll.bin into System.Windows.Explorer.dll

Start regedit from Task Manager and change the old DWORD value of MILExplorer into LIMExplorer

Restart explorer.exe from task manager.

Since the explorer windows are made out of code inside other libraries that don't pertain to the avalon interface, they will open as usual because there is no longer an MILexplorer entry telling them to expect DWM, and since the Avalon assembly-driven traskbar and sidebar run from the DLL we just changed, then the glass effect will appear in those two areas of your desktop. Result? your beloved glass without DWM bugs and no unneeded hassle!

Maybe Stan would like to integrate the procedure into a single, small EXE wink.gif

Apprentice

CollegeGuy

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
/me laughs at all of you

there is an easy way to make it so that aero glass will work without dwm. it involves hacking a file though :p and finding the file is still a daunting task :)

but once thats done, you can run glass side/taskbars without turning on dwm :)

an example

(geez, i posted that pic in two threads already... >_<)

585626088[/snapback]

Yes, that is true (Customization Pack for Longhorn 4074 by joejoe includes the reg hack), but going that route does not enable the glass effect for the explorer windows, and I'm pretty sure it may not enable the cool ALT+TAB effect either! Also, thanks to andyandy and Decryptor for those shortcuts concerning steps 3 and 5. They'll save you time, I'm sure! I haven't tested them, but I have every confidence they will work. I'll add them to the steps if successful (with nods to you guys of course)!

Edited by CollegeGuy
Grand Master

PGHammer

Posted
Posted
I just enabled Aero Glass and it's pretty cool.  You need to have a pretty fast processor (this is very intensive especially with the 4074 explorer leak) and at least a 128mb DX9 compatible card with Pixel Shader 2.0.  I have a RADEON 9600 XT and IMO it is the minimum for this effect.  Also, you should probably make a registry backup or a restore point just for sh**s and giggles ;) .  Follow these steps:

1. Start with a clean install. Seriously, if you don't start fresh there may be problems (i.e. i applied tweaks and fixes, especially the explorer leak fix, and the glass effect just wouldn't work!) Also, important, make sure the sidebar is active!

2. Download this skin (theme), extract it, and put the folder named "Aero" in the Windows/Resources/Themes folder.  Then, open the folder, double click aero.msstyles, and click OK in the window (Display Properties) that pops up.  NOTE: If the link above for the skin does not work (which it should), just search google for "dwm skins", or "ExplorerGlass-BOFH-Beta2.rar" and you should find it easily.

3. Add this key to the registry by following these instructions: Type "regedit" in the "Run" box on your Start Menu, then navigate to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Right click in the window, then highlight "new", then "DWORD Value".  Name it MILExplorer, then right click MILExplorer (you just created it) and select "Modify".  Enter a 1 in the "Value data" box.

4. NOW restart your computer.

5. Once rebooted, go to the Start Menu, click on "Run" and type the following in the box to start DWM:

rundll32 c:/windows/system32/uxdesk.dll,DwmStartComposition

6. That's it!  Aero Glass! COOL!

NOTE: You will not be able to use IE/Explorer (You won't see your windows) unless you enable DWM by following step 5 AS SOON as you reboot.  Trust me, don't try to open any windows 'cause you won't see 'em unless DWM is started.  Don't worry though, you can still get to the Start Menu and the "Run" box.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that DWM MUST be reactivated every time you reboot because it doesn't start automatically.  As I explain in the NOTE, you won't be able to use explorer/IE if you don't.  An easy way around this is to create a batch file and place it in your "Startup" folder so it will always initiate upon startup.

Exactly.

This a hack, and thus it will work for *any* graphics card. However, the DX 9 support is a must if you want any decent speed. I tried it with my AIW 8500DV. While it still works, it is dog-slow. Other Web browsers (Netscape, Opera, Firefox, etc,) still work without this hack.

Apprentice

CollegeGuy

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Made a whole Package of Customization....and even easier...

http://joejoe.ath.cx/

585654491[/snapback]

You have a great customization pack. It's just, I tried it and was unable to get the transparent glass effect. After much researching, I made this step by step guide. Your customization pack includes screenshots of a great looking desktop with glass explorer windows, but no real way to do it (believe me I tried). So I wouldn't say it's neccessarily easier (or possible without some research and skins) to attain the glass effect with your package. Of course, your batch files do speed up the process of enabling DWM, but as I explained earlier this is just the easiest way for me. It would be great if you could include some transparent glass skins in your package so the screenshots you include are actually attainable. Or maybe you could just included a more detailed guide on how to attain the effect using skins, so people such as me wouldn't have to spend so much time trying to figure out how to make ours look like the screenies. Great pack otherwise! Thanks joejoe :)

Apprentice

CollegeGuy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

PGHammer, actually, the effect won't work with *any* card. Believe me, I had a 64mb Geforce 2 MX400 before and it was worthless when it came to this effect (see screenie below). I even started another thread a while ago asking for advice on the type of card I would need for this effect. After many replies I settled on the 9600XT. It works great. After considering their replies, I believe the card must be DX9 compatible for the effect to work at all. Or at least a higher end card.

post-97126-1112096157_thumb.jpg

Grand Master

PGHammer

Posted
Posted
It's proven to work on MX440's with some exact drivers from NVidia, and anyways, the MX440 is a DX8 card.

585695213[/snapback]

The 8500DV is also a DX 8 (specifically 8.1) card, which is why the effect works (albeit very slowly). However, DX 9 and 128 MB (of course, 256 MB makes performance even snappier) makes the performance reasonable. (I got my replacement AIW 9700 Pro back and am posting this from my LH drive with AeroGlass active....*very nice*.)

Grand Master

cpu killer

Posted
Posted
The 8500DV is also a DX 8 (specifically 8.1) card, which is why the effect works (albeit very slowly).  However, DX 9 and 128 MB (of course, 256 MB makes performance even snappier) makes the performance reasonable.  (I got my replacement AIW 9700 Pro back and am posting this from my LH drive with AeroGlass active....*very nice*.)

585710898[/snapback]

Tried it with a 9700 Pro as well, works amazingly well =).

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