Enable Vista Aero in Windows Vista Home Basic

This might or might not be “too much information” for some people. Most people who have Vista Basic generally bought the cheap end machines that has it already installed. Enabling Aero would be devastating to their performance. One can imagine the poor tech support folks getting hammered with stupid questions from idiots who think they can get a Masserati performance out of a Yugo.

It can be useful, if a person has already good hardware, and is planning to buy vista but doesn’t have it yet, then this person can buy the basic edition, save money, ans still get the Aero interface

Dante yes this might be the case but you do not know until you did not try it. I also think that several users buy Vista Home Basic because it is the cheapest thinking it got all the relevant features of the other Vista editions.

The point is, that these people buy Vista Basic because it’s the cheapest choice. Since they can only afford the cheapest choice, do you think they can afford to buy an expensive video card, or a proper CPU? Like I said, take pity on the poor tech support folks. They’ll be swamped with retards yammering about how they were “cheated” with their purchase, and how it’s “unfair” and that “someone” should do something about it. And the next thing you’ll know, some idiot politician will start a stupid crusade on equal OS rights or some such rot.

Dante sure i do understand that. There will be calls like this if those users find out that certain features are missing.

[...] Despite not being supported on Vista Home Basic, it is possible to enable the Aero interface on this lowest of the low Vista operating system.  In fact, it’s a simple registry tweaks (information by gHacks ) [...]

[...] lÄ—mÄ— jums Windows Vista Home Basic, o vistiek norite naudotis Aero sÄ…saja? Pasirodo, kad jÄ… galima įjungti “nepritaikytoje” OS paprasÄ?iausiai pakeitus porÄ… [...]

Sorry to burst your bubble but this doesnt work!

it does not work that is really bad

bet i can’t open aero either !!
can you help me ?
kicc2520@hotmail.com

That mothod is really usefully?
who have tried?
can you tell me ?

tested and it doesnt work!!!

someone can provide a real way to solve it?

“…change the value of the entry Composition to 1 and the value of CompositionPolicy to 0…” , they ‘re default values on my computer, no “Windows Vista Aero” on the menu selection.

The trick does not seem to be working (anymore).

this didnt work for me, why not ?

I’ve tried some other methods as well, none seem to work.

hey whats up with this tweak I´ve tried it and it doesn´t work, if there´s a way to do it still please enlighten us because I really want to see what all the fuzz is about, and my vista basic really sucks graphically, or at least it doesn´t seem like anything new at all. By the way, I have basic and my laptop has 1 giga of ram and an ati radeon xpress 1250 with 256 mb .

this worked with the RCs and betas, but was taken out.

To enable Glass, change CompositionPolicy to 2

REMEMBER: Make a restore point and export a backup before messing with the registry.

Change Composition Policy to 2
open command prompt and write

net stop uxsms
press enter
then write
net start uxsms
aero effect will appear properly

I tried that and it won’t allow me to do net stop uxsms.

narp.. still nothing. i think it was taken out for good (or should i say bad? :P)

I’ve tried everything!!! But it still doesn’t work. Could someone tell me why!!!!!!?

Update the following registry keys:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software \Microsoft \Windows \DWM]
Composition = 1
CompositionPolicy = 2

Run command prompt with administrative rights and follow Pasha’s (post #21) steps. If you don’t know how to set the administrative rights, just restart your PC - that does the same thing.

Good luck.

I did the registry change and changed the “0″ to “2″ and I did the following steps for the command prompt with admin powers. I’m not sure if aero is enabled, how would I know?

In Control Panel > Personalization > Window Color and Appearance, when you are on Aero Standard you should now be able to see a color picker with sliders for choosing the colour of the Glass window decorations.

This hack doesn’t enable full Aero, it just gives the Aero Glass window composition.

Well I just tried it and worked well, is not the aero you would expect but looks a lot better than the standard home basic. Just follow the regedit steps (very easy) and restart, that´s it. thanks!

i purchased the dell inspiron 6400. it has 1 gb ram. core 2 deo the best need h/w also the intel 945 Graphic card with 256 mb memory supports aero. i tried all changes but this doesnt work. can any one have any new tips.

Niks

Works great here. Just bought Vista Home Basic recently. I have 1GB of ram and a 1.6 Ghz AMD 64-Bit processor…it’s not that I couldn’t afford Home Premium..it’s that I didn’t see the point. Here’s a screenshot of my “Aero” theme. (NOTE: MY MOUSE IS OVER THE ‘CLOSE’ BUTTON IN THE LEFT HAND CORNER TO SHOW THE GLOW.)

http://img463.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aerohomebasicxl9.jpg

This one works….

1) But the Aero here is not transparent
2) I noticed that there is a difference in the window Colour if it is maximised……

Except for this, this Tweak is fine…

Hi ur all idiots this aero hack oesn’t work it just enables Windows Vista Standard lol ahhhh

No, Windows Vista Standard is enabled right out of the Vista Home Basic box in Personalize -> Window Color and Appearance. On a default install, it’s the topmost selection in the Color Scheme box, right above Basic. No hack required for that.

What this reg hack does is enable the Glass window composition and colour scheme picker under Vista Standard, something that isn’t there right out of the box.

Before you call people idiots, try to determine if you yourself actually know what you’re talking about.

Er, change that to “Right hand corner” sorry…it was about 3:00 AM my time…had my directions messed up

The border is supposed to darken. It does it on all Vista machines using Aero.

This isn’t Aero and it doesn’t enable anything that wouldn’t otherwise be available in Windows Vista Basic. If you log on the Guest account, this theme is enabled by default without doing all these things

Hallo Everybody!
i had the same problem too,tried all,there is a change in colors after enabling aero in vista basic,but the windows are not transparent.
Here i got one solution for all !!!
search the net or torrent and download a program called TrueTransparency !!!
it is great and has more sckins ,it really works !!!

The point is, that these people buy Vista Basic because it’s the cheapest choice. Since they can only afford the cheapest choice
hahahahaha it;s so funny to reading it,only a33hole like u give ££££££ to the almighty microsft, people who own the 8800 ultra don,t give a S,,t to buy , they just get it for free,hahahaha
two SLI 8800 ultra, and u,mhhh, maybe some geforce 2

I tried everything,but it have no change

OMFG every SINGLE one of you here are a bunch of numnuts! if you want the glass feature on basic just freaken download windows blinds! -.- it sickens me to see so MANY NUBZ!!!

The Glass window composition is NOT transparent and is NOT available in the Guest account by default or at all in Home Basic without either manually changing CompositionPolicy to 2 for the active user or using some scriptkiddie software to do that simple regedit for you.

If you try to do the edit and afterward don’t see the sliders for picking the Glass window composition color under Personaliuze -> Window Color and Appearance, or if it still looks exactly the same as the default solid blue theme in the Guest account, then you did something wrong. Start over or give it up, face your own incompetence and use the scriptkiddie software.

Mine changed to Vista standard automatically after upgrading my RAM above 1gb.

its not work!!!!!! only on betas and rc’s. gosh…are you noobz!!!!

hey you. this is just the default theme of vista basic. you all suck!! i want the fucking transparent theme!! fuckers!!

well tis does work but i my brand new acer aspire i just bought is slower than anything ive ever seen..

I can’t comment if this “hack” works because I don’t have VHB. Its a method of enableing a feature of Vista that should otherwise be disabled, if you don’t like it don’t use it, simple as.

On a side note those why do some people get so angry towards users who need a bit of help or looking for a solution to a problem. Time and time again users slander others they consider “noobz” (should be “|\|00|32″ anyway, now who is a |\|oo|3 dropi). Get a grip because no-one wants you so please leave our blogs, comment spaces and forums along.

I hope my message gets through because
this whole mess is exacly that– a fucking
mess (areo in vista basic is NOT POSSIBLE),
it’s this shit that clogs up the net with
computer fucking geeks and nerds whaterver,
bullshiting around and wasteing real peoples
time. Well I know its my fault for casually
surfing the web and seeing areo in BASIC and
actually thingking its possible.

Say what you want, you know I’m right.
–to moderator, please allow just this once.

Is the black vista theme availible to download to ordinary windows? if it is. can someone please send me a download-link to me.. been searching for a while now and cant find it.. Please: Mikk-kkie@hotmail.com

i think i have an idea but u need access to a vista premium or ultimate go into the folder c:/windows/resources/themes. and copy the themes folder to a flash drive or what ever and replace your folder of the same location
if any 1 has tried this yet let us know

This is hilarious. All of you people doing the namecalling and claiming it doesn’t work or only works on beta and RC versions, how would you know if it doesn’t work? Just because you didn’t do it correctly and it didn’t work for you doesn’t mean it doesn’t work for those who did follow the instructions:

Use regedit to modify:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM]
Composition = 1
CompositionPolicy = 2

Then, either use an administrative command prompt (right-click on Command Prompt and choose ‘Run as administrator’) to enter:
net stop uxsms
net start uxsms

or simply reboot.

After that, go to Personalize -> Window Color and Appearance and play with the sliders.

Aero won’t work in Home Basic?!

I bought a new laptop about 2 weeks ago because my old one suddenly died:(
My new laptop (Acer) has Vista Home Basic pre-enabled. And with Aero enabled on default!
So stop saying that it won’t work because it DOES WORK. Most of y’all wore just not lucky enough to have it pre-enabled.

what if i use my (dual boot )ubuntu to modify and/or get some files from a nother vista with aero and copy and/or replace the ones needed for aero?? would that work?

not the reg key but the actual aero files because i don’t think basic has aero at all well at least not mine i have integrated version (came with my pc) i tried every forum i could find and i could not get it working

my reg was all ready set that way but aero is not in the list i know my pc can run aero (performance) what can i do next?

ok.. if you checked C:\Windows\Resources for the aero and it’s not there then you should try to copy the aero theme file. (I hope I’m right) If that doesnt work you might need to use the uxtheme.dll patch to enable 3rd party theming. I’m also using themes that are not included in Vista and they don’t appear without the patch.
good luck!;)

wher do i get the aero theme file if i dont
have it

Do the same registry tweaks but search for CompositionPolicy there should be one specified under HKEY_Users do same things that u done in the instructions for this then enable your theme then it will work i had the same problem but im am reli good at this stuff lol

its actually ment to be Composition set to 1 and CompositionPolicy set to 2 didnt know he done that wrong

Cheers Guyswill play around tonight

and to u lot who slg us off, im Cisco VP qualified im not thick, i just bought the wrong version and would like to know how to enable if i cant then i cant if i can then i can,,, but guys and gals who want to slag everyone off,,, got 2 words for u… “GET BENT”

hi there, i did all the steps but it still seems to be not working.. also i checked my C:\Windows\Resources folder and i do see Aero, but y is it still not working? please help!

(screencap of the folder)
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1627/folderqs0.jpg

To enable the full aero theme including transparancy you have to edit

Regedit:
HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/DWM/

Composition = 1
CompositionPolicy = 2

and then go to the next registry entry the second directorie in the registry hack S-1-5-21-2570785041-229298284-3903479328-500 may vairy between computer though its normally the longest entrie.

Regedit:
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2570785041-229298284-3903479328-500\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM

Composition = 1
CompositionPolicy = 2

I have vista home and tried this last one, it still doesn’t enable the full aero…any more ideas??

Maybe it doesn’t work because Aero is not included on Home Basic

I thought it would enable the full Aero, meaning the Aero Theme and Glass.

We all know how to enable the theme by now but how do you enable glass on the home editions?

I have home basic myself with Aero(theme) preinstalled and working. I’d really like to know if I’m able to use glas aswell.

The last write up i done enabled glass effect and flip 3d and everything for me when i was runing home basic check that you followed the instructions perfectly. though if theres a ColorizationOpaqueBlend try setting that at 2 or mabey 1 if that dosnt work i dont know why it isnt working for you but the full theme is definetly on there just needs the registry hack

hey it doesnt work…
You making fool of peoples…

Well I tried almost everything and it doesnt change a single thing!
The theme might be there but maybe I don’t have the flip3d and stuff like that..
switching to XP anyways..

No, it didn’t work for me either, unfortunately…

I think I may as well get home premium, or just wait patiently for a service pack 2…

dudes! it worked for me just now
i havent rebooted yet and you cant see through well?? how can u change the transparancy

If these hacks worked for you guys, it must not be a universal hack. Meaning that it doesnt work on all versions of Home Basic.

My Home Basic was preinstalled on my Acer Aspire 5310. It also has preinstalled Aero but with no glass.

Would it help to copy some files from an ultimate?

Does NOT work. Seems Microsoft updated Vista with a patch file to prevent this now! That patch file will be installed on your next Windows update so be careful!

This only enables Aero NON-glass. No glass! What’s the point? Even Windows 2000 had this. What’s so hot about it? Jeezus people!

Glass with the Flip-3D is what people want and this hack doesn’t deliver! The code is not even inside Basic edition. Let’s stop spreading the BS around here!

I have a solution,

Those wanting flip 3D, down load Shock Aero

Those wanting glass, download TrueTransparency

Those wanting the other aero features, download WindowFX

I can’t provide linksd, but I’m sure that if you search for them in Google, you’ll get search results for sure!

Hope I’ve been some help to you guys!
Leigh Kennedy

hey Leigh!

Does Truetranparancy cover the taskbar aswell?

If not, TransBar would be a good option.

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH LEIGH!!

Oh. sorry but this no longer works.
By using WindowBlinds 6.0 may solve the problem.

I absolutely don’t understand what the hell you are talking about in this article. Email me back with simple steps that n00bs will understand.

I also tried this and it did not work.
I have another computer that has vista prem. but I don’t want to fuck up this one (that has windows vista basic) just to get those effects.
someone let me know if you can copy files onto the basic program from the vista to get those without messing up everything?

Thank Pasha! Thumbnails of images of active running programs that are supposedly standard with all versions of Vista have never worked for me. But now they do! ^.^

hi i have tryed all these instructions and cant get it to work can anyone who has it working can you tell me all the settings in the regedit folder are because mine are all set to 1 except the one u need to set to 2 and i am hopeing its just the other settings that are out thanks for any replys.

what were the orginal compostion numbers?

Aero already on Basic Transperancy is the Hack people are looking for Do not Fault these people giving you information from beta versions Have both with new machines

Prem - Easier Media Sharing and Transparent Window Title Bars(Whoopie)

Glass Window Title Bars in both.

Update the following registry keys:

Open Registry

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software \Microsoft \Windows \DWM]
Composition = 1
CompositionPolicy = 2

open command prompt and write

net stop
press enter

then write
net start
aero effect will appear properly

Just Download TrueTransparency for those who want the Color of their Window Changed to Transparent

davedumas0, i don’t know if anyone’s replied to your idea i’m just commenting anyway. I have tried copying over the theme files from my brother’s vista home premium computer as he has aero, but this doesn’t work. I honestly beleive Home Basic doesn’t allow Aero whatsoever.

Good idea though

i tried the first one, and it works fine for me, but only when maximized

If someone comes up with a way to do this with the HP Pavilion dv1420us with 128MB video memory, email me at pinballer2@yahoo.com. Thanks. BTW, does it matter based on the specs of your PC?

this doesnt work face it home basic is not built for aero

Just open a cmd window, type FORMAT C: and press Enter key twice.
I would enable Aero glass for sure. With all the transparency.

hahaha, hope all the noobs shoutin abuse try Mexican’s approach.

I swear a God there is a lot of stupid people if i ask them for a dollar I will get a lot of money HOw many stupid assholes all over the internet saying the same shit and you see how many stupids still trying the same fucking commands? Dont be stupid it doesnt work anymore the fucking composition =1 and bla bla bla is bullshit sometimes I believe if you are the stupids because you write something that is not true or I am the stupid who read this bullshit

guys for those aero glass not working, duh! u need
directx9 card. without that it defaults to regular aero.

you need the hardware or the hack wont show.

I chance the cvalues en restart the ‘cmd’ buth i can’t select vista aero
help please !!!

this theme is such a boring theme

[...] Glass on Compatible Hardware Here’s another : Windows Vista Aero UI Registry Tweaks and another : Enable Vista Aero in Windows Vista Home Basic Hope these are a help superbill __________________ AMD X2 6400+ 3.2GHz BLACK EDITION::GA-M51 [...]

this does not seem to work. i had these settings by default. i have got the vista standard theme enabled

I have found that even WindowBlinds won’t really enable the transparency effects for Vista Home Basic, so I feel like investigating into how I can make some kind of program or shell replacement or extension that can mimic Windows Aero!
Believe me guys, this will be one hell of a task!

Thanks guys. but no result with playing registry yet. hope somebody can give a better subtitude

OK OK,
I found the best solution ever…

I bought Vista Ultimate!!!

That is simply the best!

But I have found Windows Aero interface to be over-rated, seriously, just use TrueTransparency and TransBar (me and some other guy mentioned this earlier in this post!)
and leave it to me to figure something out for Aero in Vista Home Basic…

If you guys all have Windows Vista Home Basic, use the Anytime Upgrade CD that came with it, then upgrade or Clean Install Windows Vista Business, Home Premium, Or Ultimate, then send me an email at its_miguel @ live.com then you can enable aero if u ahve the hardware.

Hey people
i know you people wont the aero effect very dearly
i know you must have tried everything up there.
i tried too, but they just don’t work or at least i and u could not get it to work.
So here is the real deal.
There are two ways u can get that aero :-
1.download true transparency from http://www.crystalxp.net/dl/en.gal.5139.html
2.download glass 2k from chime.
to get glass2k got to google and search for glass2k and click the first link of chime.scroll down and download it from the link there.

“GLASS 2K ALSO WORKS FOR XP , And it works for real”
trust me as you trust your bank.

thx, Keshav! it reli WORKS!!!^^

Fools, these don’t work, only in the beta builds and stuff.

hi to all !! i have windows vista home basic and just did the steps after enabling the aero interface i downloaded dreamscene non ultimate (it is on the web ) then installed it ! and now my desktop is amasing with videos!

It’s not working !! any how…
if any one have sol plz send me…….