Enable Vista Aero in Windows Vista Home Basic

Martin Brinkmann
May 13, 2007
Updated • Jan 9, 2013
Windows, Windows Vista
|
163

Microsoft made the decision to make the Aero interface only available to select editions of the Windows Vista operating system and not all of them. Windows Vista Home Basic users for instance do not get the full Aero interface. I really do not like where Microsoft is heading with the fragmentation of the operating system. Most users do not really know what they are getting themselves into when they buy a PC or a different edition of Windows as the names Basic, Premium and Ultimate do not really reveal what features the operating systems make available and what not.

While you can upgrade the system using Anytime Upgrade, it is not something that all users want to do as it means additional expenses.

It is apparently not a big problem to enable the Vista Aero interface in Windows Vista Home Basic even though it is officially not included in that version. All you need to do is to change the values of two registry keys and restart Windows Vista afterwards. Open the registry by pressing Windows + R, typing regedit and hitting enter afterwards.

Navigate to the key Hkey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ DWM \ and change the value of the entry Composition to 1 and the value of CompositionPolicy to 0.

Now you can select the Aero interface by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Personalize from the menu. Switch to Colors and Appearance and click on Classic Appearance Properties.. and choose Windows Vista Aero from the menu.

Update: Microsoft has continued the naming confusion with the release of Vista's successor, Windows 7. Windows 7 did ship with a professional edition that replaced Vista's business edition. The breakdown in Home Basic and Home Premium has not been changed though, and Windows 7 Home Basic users face the same restrictions that Windows Vista owners faced when the operating system comes out.

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Comments

  1. Calvin said on September 22, 2018 at 1:35 pm
    Reply

    I believe it been a useful trick. Though I’m not sure why it’s working on my end. Though I’ve read lots of people didn’t work on theirs. At least I tried but doesn’t work on my Desktops. I may share some beautiful tricks here: mostusefultricks.com

  2. Patrick Dreier said on December 17, 2014 at 11:15 pm
    Reply

    Seven Transformation is the complete. I will not the complete changes in Windows XP. The Taskbar for Windows 7 only in Windows XP.

  3. Frank Furter said on October 4, 2011 at 1:15 am
    Reply

    Cheeser Muffin!!

  4. JackLloyd. said on April 12, 2010 at 1:22 pm
    Reply

    Anonymous, April 12, 2010 at 11:05 am
    Your a twat. I’m well away what Linux is and use it frequently. I happen to prefer Windows for anything other than hacking/web serving. And who said we all paid for Windows? (idiot).
    Got aero in vista basic with Seven Transformation pack in the end

  5. Anonymous said on April 12, 2010 at 11:05 am
    Reply

    I have an idea….ditch windows and use Linux…its free and COMPLETELY customizable….your all dumb for paying for free software.

  6. Karl Godt said on March 15, 2010 at 4:37 am
    Reply

    Thank you very much for this article !
    I don´t know if things are new now but I made my first entry-change in the registry and to remind to hit for the “old”-button showed me why the dark color of the taskbar went away ..
    Somehow the entry was “standard” and not “basis” ..
    I spend half a day to load some 250MB of zipped themes ..
    got unsure and error installations of uxstyle and ux6themes and mcafee was telling me there was a troyan beside the ux-theme-pack prooved by Kaspersky by the magazine chip ..
    Thanks a lot to give me a good sleep after this 12 hours mining dust !
    Karl Reimer Godt

  7. JackLloyd. said on February 23, 2010 at 12:01 pm
    Reply

    I use windows 7 ultimate at home but have to use Windows vista basic on the computer that I work from just because its just what was already installed. Tried this but the values are already set to 1 and 0 respectively and I dont get the option :(

  8. Rajiv said on December 9, 2009 at 6:42 am
    Reply

    Its, not working… I have got 32-bit vista… not workin with me… please check it..

  9. ??? said on November 3, 2009 at 12:58 am
    Reply

    it works! but no glass it gives you pre areo if ur computer came with it then it can have glass but its home basic so it cant have the real full thing just pre aero

  10. meerkat said on October 21, 2009 at 2:05 am
    Reply

    I’m running Vista Home Basic on a PC and on two laptops. Here’s what I’ve found.
    You don’t need to hack the registry to enable glass effect(not transparency) on any of my computers. It is available right out of the box. (right click desktop, select personalise, select windows colour and appearance, then select windows vista standard). This will give the coloured squares to select the colour of your windows. Click on the “windows classic clour…”blue writing to get the sliding bars for saturation etc.
    I have checked the registry values an all of my machines, and they are all set to Composition 1, and Composition Policy 2. Therefore no need to go into the registry and change anything!
    For transparent window borders, try Truetransparency. It’s a freeware download, and works well. For transparent windows, I use Glass2k. It’s also free and you can set the transparency of each individual window to your own taste. You can also set the transparency of the taskbar. For live taskbar thumbnails, I’m using Visual Task Tips. This is a neat little gadget that will open a live thumbnail of any open window, when you place your cursor over the window name in the taskbar. It also allows you to alter the size of the thumbnail. And for the 3D Flip effect, I’m using Winflip. Wich uses the same keys to operate as the Home Premium and Ulimate editions. All of these are free and have no adverse effects on my system. I can run them all at once with no problems. Hope this helps.

  11. what? said on October 11, 2009 at 11:15 pm
    Reply

    If you have a NVIDIA card, there will normally be a setting on your graphics control panel for transparency

  12. RocketLauncher said on August 25, 2009 at 12:46 am
    Reply

    I love reading the comments and seeing people beg for dear life because they couldn’t get it working.

  13. ColdPwnage said on August 23, 2009 at 5:06 pm
    Reply

    O hai dere Leigh Kennedy. I just wanted to direct you to a few sites:

    http://www.securemac.com/

    They wouldn’t have a site monitoring Mac security if there were no holes.

    http://www.macfixit.com/

    Why do you need to fix a Mac if there are no flaws?

    Oh, and also: There are viruses for Apple computers. They wouldn’t be able to sell antivirus software for Macs if there weren’t. Also, the only people who get viruses are people who download stuff from unsafe sites, anyway. I use Avast! Free and I had ONE banner inserter that one of my friends installed on my computer as a joke. Only because I left him alone with it for five minutes.

  14. Andy said on July 26, 2009 at 10:51 pm
    Reply

    – Thanx – this is real super info – it’s a different world…
    P.S. I can’t believe I bought Vista Business – having a Home Basic OEM (why I bought it was cause I couldn’t find the OEM one on a ‘Recovery CD’ apparently)

  15. Rusdy said on July 8, 2009 at 12:00 pm
    Reply

    Well, it is very easy to actually do windows transparency in vista home basic. Try some theme in http://www.vista123.com. Download these theme : glass se7en final, or windows 7 narrow. With them you can get the real glass transparency like the other windows with aero. With windows 7 narrow theme, you get the transparency when the windows are not maximized (the default way of how transparency in vista work), while with glass se7en final theme, you get transparency in both, maximized or not maximized. I assume you know how to apply these theme, if not, the website tells you how, or just google it.

  16. Young said on June 16, 2009 at 9:10 pm
    Reply

    wait is this gonna mess up my laptop cuz then im gonna be killed

  17. Caleb said on June 13, 2009 at 6:57 pm
    Reply

    This does not work on Home Basic! However, there is a neat program I found that emulates Flip3d.

    http://winflip.stylekings.de/

    You might also want to check out this:
    http://lee-soft.com/viglance/

  18. Justin Deffendall said on June 2, 2009 at 8:49 am
    Reply

    Disregard the last comment I posted. Read this updated one.

    Do exactly what he explains up there but on CompositionPolicy change the value to 2 and on Composition set the value to 1. Restart your computer. Open command prompt. Type net stop uxsms, press enter. Type net start uxsms, press enter. You should now have Aero. You will not have the ability to change how Aero looks easily but I’m sure there is a hack to do it. (btw my value for Composition was already at 1 so don’t freak out if your’s is too). Hope this helps.

  19. Justin Deffendall said on June 2, 2009 at 8:28 am
    Reply

    Also, this hack doesnt give you the ability to edit how Aero looks easily. I’m sure you can do it but i haven’t found it yet.

  20. Justin Deffendall said on June 2, 2009 at 8:24 am
    Reply

    Ok, so I’ve looked into this awhile and I’ve found something that works for me. Sorry, but it does involve the registry. Do exactly what he explains up there but on CompositionPolicy change the value to 2 and on Composition set the value to 1. Be safe, create a restore point by clicking Start, Control Panel, System and Maintenance, Backup and Restore Center, and then clicking create a restore point on the side bar. Restore points create a place for your computer to fall back onto if everything goes to hell. (btw my value for Composition was already at 1 so don’t freak out if your’s is too). Hope this helps.

  21. Mike said on May 28, 2009 at 3:37 am
    Reply

    Doesnt work HELP!!!

  22. Anonymous said on May 22, 2009 at 10:04 am
    Reply

    found a cheap fix. if you have a .edu email address you can legit copies from microsoft at 90% off. I bout Visita Ultimate and Office Ultimate 2007 for $65 each. do a search on google for “microsoft ultimate steal”

  23. kamani chetankumar said on May 16, 2009 at 8:41 pm
    Reply

    if you want to use aero theme in your wista home basic,you install your graphic card or graphic file by your driver c.d.and then go following
    <desktop
    <right click <personalize<color and apperence<open classic clolor properties<select windows standard,
    reply:-kcdiku2@gmail.com

  24. Anonymous said on May 6, 2009 at 5:37 pm
    Reply

    guy the trick worked for me, but in the personalization when i go to ” open classic appearance properties”
    i get – windows Vista basic
    -windows vista standard
    with no windows vista aero.. but the standard gets me the windows task bar colors, but no glassy taskbar, flip 3d and the other options aero adds..

    anyhelp on how i get those? or aero jst doesn’t FULLY work on vista basic

  25. WeirdFrog said on April 29, 2009 at 11:23 pm
    Reply

    Also, I tried the registry thing and the top of the maximized windows are transparent but the switch between windows doesn’t work and the start menu isn’t transparent. I might have done something earlier to improve the performance that disabled those functions so any info would help.

  26. WeirdFrog said on April 29, 2009 at 10:38 pm
    Reply

    Ok:
    McLovin says:
    January 10, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    cyberjax, I’m not quite sure what do you want actually. Do you want your window’s interface to look transparent or just have the aero effect?(aero effect is just the glassy look on the taskbar, no transparent effect).
    If you are going for the aero effect, the hack thingy should work. I don’t know other tricks. If you are going for transparent effect in Vista Home Basic, well, I used TuneUp Utilities 2009 software and SteelFlash 100K theme. Hope this helps. I’m ready to debrief more if this didn’t helped you enough though

    I tried this and it actually works, but I couldn’t find the SteelFlash 100K theme anywhere, so I was just wondering where you found that but thanks a lot already!!!

  27. aashish said on April 19, 2009 at 10:06 pm
    Reply

    how to locate dat key and that composite thing too……..

  28. karan said on April 12, 2009 at 2:18 am
    Reply

    t is apparently not a big problem to enable the Vista Aero interface in Windows Vista Home Basic even though it is officially not included in that version. All you need to do is to change the values of two registry keys and restart Windows Vista afterwards. Open the registry by pressing Windows + R, typing regedit and hitting enter afterwards.

    Navigate to the key Hkey_Current_User Software Microsoft Windows DWM and change the value of the entry Composition to 1 and the value of CompositionPolicy to 0. AND NOT 2

    Now you can select the Aero interface by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Personalize from the menu. Switch to Colors and Appearance and click on Classic Appearance Properties.. and choose Windows Vista Aero from the menu.

    Remember, this hack still requires you to have hardware capable of running Aero (in other words, a good graphics card), and don’t go to Microsoft expecting support if things go wrong.

  29. aero said on March 22, 2009 at 6:49 pm
    Reply

    it doesn’t work. you……

  30. aero problem said on March 22, 2009 at 12:32 pm
    Reply

    i changed the desktop interface of my vistahome basic to an interface that can support dreamscene ! it means i can run videos as wall paper!
    i chaned some values in the registry !
    now aero is enabled in my vista home basic
    this was good ! but i feel like a damaged my vista! because many dvd video games won-t launch again ! seance i did that!

  31. esvom said on March 22, 2009 at 1:03 am
    Reply

    this method doesn’t work in Windows Vista Basic, I tried in different machines that run vista basic edition, so I read in others web that the only way is install some program like windows blinds, vista glazz, and others.

  32. WASTEOFTIME said on February 22, 2009 at 3:27 am
    Reply

    Who cares about vista?

    Quit crying and get Windows 7! :-D
    I have build 7022 installed right now!

    If you MUST use vista, try this: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/03/22/hack-to-enable-windows-aero-in-vista-home-basic-edition/

  33. Jessica said on January 21, 2009 at 12:56 am
    Reply

    I don’t understand a thing! What is “Hkey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ DWM \” supposed to mean?

    1. Martin said on January 21, 2009 at 12:02 pm
      Reply

      Jessica that is a location in the Windows Registry.

  34. McLovin said on January 10, 2009 at 2:37 pm
    Reply

    cyberjax, I’m not quite sure what do you want actually. Do you want your window’s interface to look transparent or just have the aero effect?(aero effect is just the glassy look on the taskbar, no transparent effect).
    If you are going for the aero effect, the hack thingy should work. I don’t know other tricks. If you are going for transparent effect in Vista Home Basic, well, I used TuneUp Utilities 2009 software and SteelFlash 100K theme. Hope this helps. I’m ready to debrief more if this didn’t helped you enough though.

  35. McLovin said on January 10, 2009 at 11:52 am
    Reply

    Hey, someone managed to enable aero transparency on vista basic.

  36. cyberjax said on January 10, 2009 at 12:22 pm
    Reply

    My McLovin, can you please advise what else can be done to get this to work. I’ve tried
    ——————
    all you need to do is. Of course do that Compostion thing a magig.

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

    Than open up your Start Button. And search for CMD. Once you found it.

    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

    Right click on “Personalize” and click on

    “Window Color And Apperance” And choose

    “Windows Vista Aero” Boom it worked
    ———————-

    I’ve also tried CompositionPolicy = 1, but when I go to choose “Windows Vista Aero” it’s not available. I’ve already restated my PC as well. I know not to advise to people in these sites that it’s B.S., everyone has different system types and configurations, it’s finding the one that works with yours. So I’ve tried everything in these postings and am pretty PC savy (hack up most everything, but I haven’t vested time in this topic other than tonight). So any help is greatly appreciated to all….. Thanks!

  37. James said on January 7, 2009 at 12:02 pm
    Reply

    Hey guys, thx for the instructions here, i followed it to the letter an it works…and might i just say to thoes who do not have the basic understanding of human knowlage and have abused ppl here….if you don’t like their advice…go somewhere else…

  38. Ryan said on December 30, 2008 at 8:29 am
    Reply

    Hah, you know what? I was about to call you all boneheads before I realized I already have Home Premium; I just had the DWM service disabled. Not so much a problem with four gigs of ram, though. :D

  39. Alexander (FSXC182RG) said on December 26, 2008 at 12:18 am
    Reply

    I don’t want to show that I’m stupid in this site, but I don’t understand how to do it, Hkey_Current_User that is the part.

  40. vista said on December 21, 2008 at 9:04 am
    Reply

    where do you find composition i go through everything and there is no composition but just default and if you right click it it shows modify or modify binary data.if this makes any sence

  41. Allan Baguinon said on December 19, 2008 at 8:00 am
    Reply

    Hey guys It finally worked.

    all you need to do is. Of course do that Compostion thing a magig.

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

    Than open up your Start Button. And search for CMD. Once you found it.

    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

    Right click on “Personalize” and click on

    “Window Color And Apperance” And choose

    “Windows Vista Aero” Boom it worked

  42. Dave said on December 17, 2008 at 8:29 am
    Reply

    WORKS! – Thanks, I have a laptop with Vista Basic, the hack works fine. There is nothing slow about my system now that I have Aero active…people love to assume crap. My video card falls short by one number actually…Aero still runs fast. I have 1gb of memory…I don’t see how Aero takes up 1gb itself…my system is running just as fast as it did before Aero got activated…and I’m a tech. [ CELERON M – 1GB DDR II – EVEREX LAPTOP]

  43. Leigh Kennedy said on December 13, 2008 at 4:22 am
    Reply

    Hi all,

    Try out Vista 2009 Black Edition!!!
    It is available as a torrent.
    And it is free!

    It has ALL of Windows Vista’s eye-candy too!

  44. Mega said on December 12, 2008 at 7:48 pm
    Reply

    My registry values are already set to those values only. so now, what should i do?

  45. Leigh Kennedy said on December 11, 2008 at 3:55 am
    Reply

    Hi all,
    Which one of you are calling yourself ‘Leigh Kennedy’,
    Because I know for a fact I haven’t posted any comments on this for a while!

    Yes I am aware of the fact Mac OS X can get viruses, the Apple website clearly states that they get SOME but not all.

    And I have an extremely good suggestion…

    If you want to have ALL the Vista features for nothing,
    How about turning to custom editions of Windows Vista!

    One that I know of that a friend reckons is good is ‘Vista 2009 Black Edition’.

    He says it has ALL the features of Windows Vista and also packs in extra features and fixes that Microsoft haven’t put in.

    Kind Regards,
    Leigh Kennedy

    P.S. If you want to post comments, please use your own name and not mine!

  46. Billgatez said on December 10, 2008 at 8:08 pm
    Reply

    First of all i have not tryed this hack. But i hope it works.
    I got a fast computer Core 2 quad Over clocked to 4 GHz 3 gtx 280s in tri sli on a 790i and i run vista basic. y you might ask.. Well DX-10. And because do not want to pay 300 for the higher end vistas.

    Basic does every thing i want it to this aro hack if it works is just a bonus. Now if it does not what ever.

    Now i also know there programs like windows blinds crystalXP ect.
    but i dont want to have to run and set up 3 or 4 differnt programs. when 2 REG changes get me the same thing.

    oh and Keshav i think Glass 2k just works in XP/2000. and not in vista.

    Leigh Kennedy says:
    rumour has it that Bill Gates uses Linux,

    I am shure Bill gates DOES NOT use linux. if he does not like vista the he is probley useing XP.

    Leigh Kennedy says: Vista has a lot of stuff copied from another operating system.

    I asume the outher os your talking about is MacOS. But you must rember that bill gates gave Apple computers 7mil to keep them from going under.
    Now i dont want to start a PC vs MAC War. becase those go no whare. Its like ford saying that doge cant have power windows because they did it first. Who cares. And if mac os is so good how come people are puting XP on there macs hmmm?

    Leigh Kennedy says: And since when has a Mac had a virus…
    Never!

    CHECK YOUR FACTS MAN they had Viruses. just not lots. because no hacker wants to infect 20% of the computer useing population. and if you think i am lieing GOOGLE it.

    Now i got nothing aganst macs or apple computers i have a mac and i got no problems useing it. I am NOT a PC fan boy or any thing like that. But i am a INTeL guy.

    WOW i shure can ramble..

    Billgatez 31337 Super NERD

  47. Toblerone said on December 5, 2008 at 8:53 pm
    Reply

    GRRRRRRRRR! ANY WAY OF GETTING AERO WITHOUT EDITING THE REGISTRY? (oh look at that someone hit CapsLock)

  48. Leigh Kennedy said on November 24, 2008 at 9:04 am
    Reply

    Hi all,
    The only things I like in Windows Vista is the things that were copied from a Mac.

    And rumour has it that Bill Gates uses Linux,
    So why an operating system that
    a) not even the CEO of Microsoft would us
    And
    b) has a lot of stuff copied from another operating system.

    And since when has a Mac had a virus…
    Never!

    Kind regards,
    Leigh Kennedy.

  49. Mayanktaker said on November 18, 2008 at 5:58 pm
    Reply

    I know only one thing,

    “Everything is possible.”
    But we have to work hard for this and find a way.
    Keep practicing and searching for this. I am doing.

  50. Really? said on November 18, 2008 at 1:24 am
    Reply

    I THINK EVERYONE HERE IS A LITTLE CONFUSED AS TO WHAT VHB OFFERS AND WHAT AERO REALLY IS. FROM THE SECOND I FIRST TURNED ON MY COMPUTER I COULD PERSONALIZE THE COLORS OF MY WINDOWS USING THE SLIDERS. PEOPLE WANT THE TRANSPARENCY, 3-D FLIP, AND ALL OTHER FEATURES AERO OFFERS. DOESN’T SEEM TO ME A LOT OF PEOPLE GIVING ADVICE AND CALLING PEOPLE NOOBS UNDERSTAND THAT. There’s nothing you can change to your system to get the true Aero interface as of now. You can always find some downloads that will do the same thing. I think Microsoft knows what they’re doing.

  51. John said on October 22, 2008 at 10:45 pm
    Reply

    Mac OS X isn’t a sports team you nerd, go troll somewhere else.

  52. Leigh Kennedy said on October 20, 2008 at 8:53 am
    Reply

    Hi all,
    It’s Leigh Kennedy again!

    Lemme just say I have found ‘Windows Vista’ to be crap anyways…

    …go Mac OS X!!!

    :P

  53. jack said on October 18, 2008 at 7:51 pm
    Reply

    to be honest, i dont belive in Microsoft making a operating system with diffrent choises.

    yes, their should be a choise for buisness, but serioulsy. all these big computer company giants, just use vista basic as an excuse to sell cheap pc’s.

    i have got vista basic, and i feel that what microsoft have done with basic, is basically stripped everything and left you with a sp4 of xp. with a facelift. thats all vista basic is.

    oh and one more thing, i downloaded a program called “Vista Glazz” its not actually for vista basic, but it does work on vista basic, and what it does is make the windows go transparent when windows are maximized. and yes, its not a skin, its aero. its pure aero, on vista basic. try it out yourself, just install, then maximise a window. http://www.codegazer.com/vistaglazz/

    and also, when i installed my vista basic, the instalation was aero, as you can see here: http://bp0.blogger.com/_5fbEcKCBnFw/RoNdAQ220oI/AAAAAAAABfM/l0qFur2xM6E/s640/WindowsVistaDuringInstallation.PNG

    so basically vista basic is capable of running aero, but nobody has found a way yet.

  54. marco said on October 7, 2008 at 5:08 pm
    Reply

    Ma provate prima di parlare oltre il fatto che la chiave di sistema e gia impostata a 1 e a 0…
    Ma il vista home basic non supporta aero…solo le piu costose di vista come ultimatum ecc…. supportano aero…sarà scontato che avrà una buona ram e una buona scheda video…se supporta un vista…

  55. Visitor said on September 15, 2008 at 8:06 pm
    Reply

    Is there any way of getting true aero for home basic WITHOUT editing the registry?

    BTW, I’m only here because my WindowBlinds broke, and I was using the XP Luna theme then.

    (gives cutest bambi-eyes ever) Plllleeeaassseee!

  56. Anonymous said on September 9, 2008 at 1:30 pm
    Reply

    i want in all da stuff u said to go in, went i went to change the settin it was already 0 and 1, dude how am i ment to fucking change somin thats already at wat its ment to be changed too, dude you suck!!!!!!! with a capt S&K

  57. Manav said on August 23, 2008 at 9:17 am
    Reply

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

  58. gabrielstar said on August 20, 2008 at 1:33 am
    Reply

    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!

  59. Zirix said on August 14, 2008 at 2:49 am
    Reply

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

  60. chaoshdoas said on August 13, 2008 at 7:10 am
    Reply

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

  61. Keshav said on July 16, 2008 at 7:29 pm
    Reply

    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.

  62. Miguelito said on July 9, 2008 at 5:32 am
    Reply

    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.

  63. Leigh Kennedy said on July 6, 2008 at 12:53 pm
    Reply

    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…

  64. Aimo Ra said on July 6, 2008 at 7:39 am
    Reply

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

  65. Leigh Kennedy said on May 30, 2008 at 9:35 am
    Reply

    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!

  66. useless said on May 26, 2008 at 4:41 pm
    Reply

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

  67. ben said on May 2, 2008 at 11:08 am
    Reply

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

    this theme is such a boring theme

  68. kal said on April 24, 2008 at 2:53 am
    Reply

    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.

  69. cobraking said on April 18, 2008 at 11:19 pm
    Reply

    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

  70. lol said on April 11, 2008 at 3:52 pm
    Reply

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

  71. Mexican said on April 10, 2008 at 10:55 am
    Reply

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

  72. jj said on April 6, 2008 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

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

  73. Max said on March 20, 2008 at 8:38 pm
    Reply

    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?

  74. kristoffer said on February 20, 2008 at 9:35 pm
    Reply

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

  75. odavenport said on February 11, 2008 at 10:10 am
    Reply

    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

  76. Chad Varquez said on January 27, 2008 at 11:12 am
    Reply

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

  77. Adam said on January 25, 2008 at 7:19 am
    Reply

    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

  78. DraggonLord said on January 21, 2008 at 12:52 pm
    Reply

    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.

  79. Michael said on January 21, 2008 at 5:49 am
    Reply

    what were the orginal compostion numbers?

  80. dremar said on January 11, 2008 at 4:35 am
    Reply

    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.

  81. Brad said on January 9, 2008 at 9:11 pm
    Reply

    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! ^.^

  82. Savannah said on December 30, 2007 at 5:28 am
    Reply

    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?

  83. Joey said on December 20, 2007 at 2:58 am
    Reply

    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.

  84. Anegie said on November 20, 2007 at 5:53 am
    Reply

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

  85. ANGEL said on November 18, 2007 at 5:23 pm
    Reply

    THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH LEIGH!!

  86. Mithandus said on November 16, 2007 at 3:33 pm
    Reply

    hey Leigh!

    Does Truetranparancy cover the taskbar aswell?

    If not, TransBar would be a good option.

  87. LRK said on November 16, 2007 at 12:15 pm
    Reply

    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

  88. Popo said on November 13, 2007 at 9:22 am
    Reply

    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!

  89. ExpertSystems said on November 13, 2007 at 1:29 am
    Reply

    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!

  90. Mithandus said on November 10, 2007 at 3:20 pm
    Reply

    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?

  91. lildude said on November 10, 2007 at 4:34 am
    Reply

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

  92. LRK said on November 5, 2007 at 1:27 pm
    Reply

    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…

  93. Mithandus said on November 4, 2007 at 2:03 pm
    Reply

    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..

  94. Abhinav said on November 4, 2007 at 11:34 am
    Reply

    hey it doesnt work…
    You making fool of peoples…

  95. Laurence said on November 3, 2007 at 9:21 pm
    Reply

    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

  96. Mithandus said on October 28, 2007 at 9:04 pm
    Reply

    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.

  97. guess who said on October 28, 2007 at 2:46 am
    Reply

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

  98. RK said on October 27, 2007 at 9:46 pm
    Reply

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

  99. Unknown said on October 25, 2007 at 12:25 pm
    Reply

    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

  100. yoyodong said on October 10, 2007 at 5:06 am
    Reply

    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!

  101. Farmer said on October 9, 2007 at 3:53 pm
    Reply

    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”

  102. Unknown said on October 5, 2007 at 9:39 pm
    Reply

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

  103. Unknown said on October 5, 2007 at 8:41 pm
    Reply

    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

  104. davedumas0 said on October 3, 2007 at 12:06 am
    Reply

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

  105. Martijn said on October 2, 2007 at 3:45 pm
    Reply

    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!;)

  106. davedumas0 said on October 2, 2007 at 1:31 pm
    Reply

    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?

  107. davedumas0 said on October 1, 2007 at 10:25 pm
    Reply

    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

  108. davedumas0 said on October 1, 2007 at 3:41 am
    Reply

    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?

  109. Martijn said on September 29, 2007 at 3:36 pm
    Reply

    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.

  110. System User said on September 28, 2007 at 3:46 pm
    Reply

    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.

  111. davedumas0 said on September 26, 2007 at 6:01 am
    Reply

    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

  112. mickaehl said on September 25, 2007 at 2:27 pm
    Reply

    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

  113. fuck you said on September 24, 2007 at 11:12 pm
    Reply

    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.

  114. McDave said on September 24, 2007 at 2:48 am
    Reply

    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.

  115. michaelman said on September 22, 2007 at 1:31 pm
    Reply

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

  116. vistaaddict said on September 22, 2007 at 6:22 am
    Reply

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

  117. dropi said on September 9, 2007 at 11:04 pm
    Reply

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

  118. frog said on August 23, 2007 at 4:46 pm
    Reply

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

  119. System User said on August 23, 2007 at 2:21 pm
    Reply

    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.

  120. shinydude100 said on August 22, 2007 at 10:27 pm
    Reply

    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!!!

  121. ww said on August 19, 2007 at 2:26 am
    Reply

    I tried everything,but it have no change

  122. bignose said on August 17, 2007 at 6:07 pm
    Reply

    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

  123. raul omes said on August 17, 2007 at 12:33 pm
    Reply

    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 !!!

  124. Steven said on July 24, 2007 at 8:56 pm
    Reply

    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

  125. phlux said on July 16, 2007 at 2:29 am
    Reply

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

  126. phlux said on July 15, 2007 at 10:35 pm
    Reply

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

  127. System User said on July 15, 2007 at 4:41 pm
    Reply

    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.

  128. Sam said on July 15, 2007 at 12:27 pm
    Reply

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

  129. S. Bala Murugan said on July 14, 2007 at 9:53 pm
    Reply

    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…

  130. phlux said on July 14, 2007 at 11:31 am
    Reply

    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

  131. Niks said on July 13, 2007 at 7:07 pm
    Reply

    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

  132. Leox said on July 12, 2007 at 4:16 am
    Reply

    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!

  133. System User said on July 11, 2007 at 10:01 pm
    Reply

    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.

  134. Nick said on July 11, 2007 at 9:42 pm
    Reply

    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?

  135. 0001 said on July 7, 2007 at 4:40 pm
    Reply

    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.

  136. joey said on July 2, 2007 at 9:18 pm
    Reply

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

  137. joe said on June 29, 2007 at 12:36 am
    Reply

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

  138. Jody said on June 25, 2007 at 10:32 pm
    Reply

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

  139. Pasha said on June 21, 2007 at 12:18 pm
    Reply

    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

  140. SystemUser said on June 20, 2007 at 10:49 pm
    Reply

    To enable Glass, change CompositionPolicy to 2

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

  141. Matt said on June 7, 2007 at 3:59 am
    Reply

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

  142. manuel said on May 31, 2007 at 7:19 pm
    Reply

    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 .

  143. NK said on May 30, 2007 at 8:34 pm
    Reply

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

  144. kj said on May 26, 2007 at 10:48 pm
    Reply

    this didnt work for me, why not ?

  145. Martin said on May 20, 2007 at 8:33 pm
    Reply

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

  146. ducthao185 said on May 20, 2007 at 8:12 pm
    Reply

    “…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.

  147. yelan said on May 20, 2007 at 6:11 am
    Reply

    someone can provide a real way to solve it?

  148. yelan said on May 20, 2007 at 6:10 am
    Reply

    tested and it doesnt work!!!

  149. john said on May 19, 2007 at 8:12 am
    Reply

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

  150. kicc said on May 19, 2007 at 3:54 am
    Reply

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

  151. mike said on May 17, 2007 at 4:20 am
    Reply

    it does not work :) that is really bad

  152. Rehan Sarwar said on May 16, 2007 at 6:19 pm
    Reply

    Sorry to burst your bubble but this doesnt work!

  153. Martin said on May 14, 2007 at 6:29 am
    Reply

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

  154. Dante said on May 14, 2007 at 1:53 am
    Reply

    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.

  155. Martin said on May 13, 2007 at 3:32 pm
    Reply

    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.

  156. Sysstem said on May 13, 2007 at 3:28 pm
    Reply

    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

  157. Dante said on May 13, 2007 at 2:56 pm
    Reply

    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.

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