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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.

This post has been edited by CollegeGuy: Mar 15 2005, 00:50

Will have to try this when i get home. thanks

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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

Maybe because there wasn't one?

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

/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 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... >_<)

Why did i delete longhorn ?

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

wow onghorn is looking nice cant wait for beta!

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)!

This post has been edited by CollegeGuy: Mar 21 2005, 04:06