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How to Turn On and Enable Aero in Windows 7 (Enable Aero Peek)

Windows Aero features in Windows 7 has been greatly enhanced and improved with new features such as Aero Peek. Without Windows Aero Glass Transparency effect, the many premium user interface (UI) goodies and extravaganza visual experience such as windows with translucent glass design and new windows colors in Windows 7 won’t be enjoyed by the system users.
windows - comments - 12.1.2009

Hack to Force Enable Aero in Windows 7

Windows 7 has a nice little Windows Aero troubleshooting tool to find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects, and then enable and turn on Aero support (and also Aero Peek) in Windows 7.
windows - comments - 12.1.2009

Aero Glass is the final UI for Windows Vista

Back in 2001 Microsoft's early betas of Windows XP contained a user interface dubbed "Watercolor". But only months before the operating system shipped Microsoft completely replaced it with an entirely different look and feel called "Luna" which became known as "Windows XP Style".
windows - comments - 9.1.2006

Enable Aero Glass in Windows Virtual PC

Windows Virtual PC along with XP Mode (RC) was released yesterday for Windows 7 Ultimate, Enterprise and Professional users.
download - comments - 6.8.2009

Windows Aero Is Old News – Introducing LucidTouch User Interface

If you think that Microsoft's journey into the development of natural user interfaces has stopped with the availability of Surface, then think again. The Redmond company is hard at work in a collaboration with Mitsubishi Research to produce LucidTouch.
windows - comments - 24.8.2007

Windows 7 Aero Snap Development Started in Early 2007

Back on February 13, 2007, just a few weeks after Windows Vista hit the shelves, Kevin Kutz, director, Windows Client, revealed that Microsoft had started working on the next iteration of the Windows client.
windows - comments - 18.3.2009

Life after Aero, Microsoft Cooking Improved User Interface for Windows 7

It might not sound like all that much, but it is a definite confirmation that there is life after Windows Aero. And as far as the scarce details on Windows 7 go, any palpable piece of information goes a long way.
windows - comments - 24.5.2008

The Secret Windows 7 Pre-Beta Build 6801 Aero Shake

Despite the fact that Windows 7 pre-beta build 6801 was showcased and subsequently released at the Professional Developers Conference at the end of the past month in Los Angeles, Microsoft still has some aces up its sleeve when it comes down to the next iteration of the Windows client.
windows - comments - 3.11.2008

Disable Aero Snap Auto Maximize and Arrange Window in Windows 7

Windows 7 includes a new feature called Aero Snap that intends to improve open windows management on the desktop. Aero Snap allows user to drag a window to the top of the screen to maximize the window automatically, or to the left or right side of the screen to resize the window to fill and take up half of the screen estate on the moved side automatically.
windows - comments - 19.5.2009

VMWare Private Beta Build 185517 Has Support for Windows Aero

For those of you running Windows Vista or 7 in a virtualization client, I’m sure you miss having the nice, satisfying Windows Aero eye candy, especially with the Aero Basic skin looking the way that it does now.
windows - comments - 1.9.2009

Border Skin - Enable Aero Glass Transparency Effects in Windows XP

Ever wondered how could you get the famous Aero Glass experience on your Windows XP machine? komalo of deviantArt has released a skin for Windows XP users called Border Skin which will give you Aero Glass UX from Windows 7 and Vista right on your PC running Windows XP!
windows - comments - 30.7.2009

Vista Aero Battery Saver

I get a bit irked when I see stuff that can be solved but people just complain about it.
download - comments - 8.5.2007

No Aero Glass for Illegitimate Copies of Vista

Microsoft is pulling out a new tool from its antipiracy toolbox. Aero, the new whiz-bang UI for Vista, will only be available to registered users of Windows. That's right, no matter how fast your CPU and graphics card are, if Microsoft determines you are running a pirated version of Vista then it's the toned-down interface for you.
windows - comments - 16.4.2006

Nick White on Aero and battery life

Nick White, Vista's Product Manager, has responded to an article entitled “Vista, Aero, battery life . . . and Doom” by Dwight Silverman, the tech reviewer at the Houston Chronicle, regarding the impact that the Aero theme has on battery life and performance.
windows - comments - 15.5.2007

Enable both Aero and Glass in Vista Home Basic

I'm gonna give u some tips for people who are stuck up with Vista Home Basic I really never wanted to have the Vista Home Basic. But when i got my Lappy i had no other option, but to stick on with this OEM version.
windows - comments - 28.10.2007

Microsoft Claims Vista's Aero Interface Doesn't Slow PCs

Running Windows Vista's new Aero graphical interface doesn't impact PC performance, a study sponsored by Microsoft claims.
windows - comments - 2.1.2007

From Windows Aero to the Windows Vista Sound Schemes

One aspect made clear by Microsoft from the get go is that, with Windows Vista, it had worked to achieve a complete user experience by bridging the graphical user interface with the sound schemes of the operating system.
windows - comments - 16.6.2008

New Non-Critical Windows Updates are Available

KB904942 - Install this update to resolve HTTP authentication issues in Windows-based systems that do not appear until Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 is installed.
windows - comments - 1.3.2006

Updates for Windows Vista

Here are new Updates for Windows Vista. (KB942089), (KB942089), (KB940069), (KB940069), (KB943544), (KB943544)..
download - comments - 25.10.2007

Windows 7 Client Updates

Microsoft released several updates for Windows 7 Client.
download - comments - 26.2.2009

Updates to Windows Live SkyDrive!

These past couple of months since our last release, we asked ourselves, “What can we do to make SkyDrive even better?” The most obvious answer is something that our users have asked us to do: give out more storage. We’re excited to announce that we’re doubling everyone’s storage to 1 GB!
microsoft - comments - 13.10.2007

Many Windows Users Get Unwanted Updates

What better gift could Apple ask for with the launch of its "Leopard" Mac OS X v. 10.5? How about a PR disaster surrounding Windows?
windows - comments - 27.10.2007

Reports: IE 7 Crashes While Accessing Windows Updates

Some users of Internet Explorer 7's beta are reporting problems accessing crucial update sites, but Microsoft denies any system-wide glitch.

Some users of Internet Explorer 7's beta are reporting problems accessing the crucial Windows Update and Microsoft Update sites, but Microsoft denied any system-wide glitch.
windows - comments - 20.2.2006

Latest Windows 7 Updates Cause BSOD: Fix

TechARP had been providing giving updates on the Windows 7 Downgrade Rights Program. Now Microsoft has confirmed the same in a blog post, regarding the Windows 7 Downgrade rights program.
windows - comments - 16.4.2009

Windows Updates Downloader v2.21 Final

Windows Updates Downloader is a small 3rd party utility that allows you to download all of the current Windows critical updates. All updates are downloaded directly from microsoft.com to your computer with a single mouse click.
download - comments - 18.8.2006

Windows Updates Downloader 2.24 Build 875

Windows Updates Downloader is a small utility that allows you to download all of the current Windows critical updates.
download - comments - 19.1.2007

Microsoft Killed AutoPatcher – No More Third Party Windows Updates

The AutoPatcher project is dead, courtesy of Microsoft. Antonis Kaladis, AutoPatcher Project Manager broke the news on August 29, revealing that Microsoft killed the initiative designed to supply offline Windows updates.
microsoft - comments - 29.8.2007

Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 Updates

Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 was released to manufacturing on July 21, 2008, and the gold bits are heading straight for the end users' machines.
download - comments - 13.8.2008

Microsoft release 2 updates for IE8 on Windows 7 RC

Microsoft has released two new updates for Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7 RC, via Windows Update.
windows - comments - 6.5.2009

Windows 7 RC to receive test updates on May 12th

Those involved with Windows 7 will remember a while back the beta received test updates, to check if how well the update system worked within Microsoft's new operating system.
windows - comments - 11.5.2009

How To: Get Windows 7 Aero in a Virtual Machine

This week, Microsoft made the XP Mode RC available to Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate users. Most Virtual Machine emulating software has not offered support for Aero previously, including Microsoft's own Virtual PC 2007. Now, thanks to the powerful set of "Integration Components" in Windows 7 Virtual PC and the enhanced, updated version of Remote Desktop in 7, we can now have the full Aero Glass experience in Windows 7 Virtual Machines, provided the host can handle Aero, and has it enabled. Here's how to get it: This assumes you already have Windows 7 installed on your PC in Virtual PC. Step 1: Enable Aero on your host machine.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 07.08.2009

Shake up your Windows 7 with Aero Shake

One feature of the Windows 7 user experience that wasn't demoed or even talked about last week at PDC 2008 is called "Aero Shake" - the same feature that led Rafael on an epic journey to unravel the secrets of build 6801 superbar. What Aero Shake does is allows you to shake your application windows furiously, to quickly minimize all other windows, at the same time experiencing a seizure in your hand.




winbeta.org - 03.11.2008

Windows 7 6801 users can now get Aero Peek, too

Rafael Rivera and Chris Holmes have been really working their butts off on patching Windows 7 6801 completely, and they have now managed to not only get every feature previously in the utility, but now Aero Peek also, while not even touching system files!

You can download the new version of their "Blue Badge" utility (revision 03) in both x86 and x64 flavors at the source.


jcxp.net - 10.12.2008

Microsoft responds to concerns regarding Aero and battery life

Responding to a number of recent articles claiming that Vista's new "Aero" user interface causes laptops running the new operating system to drain their battery faster, Microsoft has published its own results. The company says Aero consumes only 1% to 4% more battery life than when the feature is disabled:

Dwight Silverman, the tech reviewer at the Houston Chronicle, has written about the impact that the Aero theme has on battery life and performance (under the provocative title "http://blogs.chron.com/techb log/archives/2007/05/vista_aer o_battery_life_and_doom.html>V ista, Aero, battery life . . . and Doom" -- he's referring to the game Doom3, BTW). It's a good post and I'd like to take a minute to expand on what Dwight has written.

First off, yes, as Dwight correctly points out, the Aero theme drives the GPU harder and therefore uses more power. But in the big picture, it's really not that much more. For example, the display on most laptops will consume somewhere between 15-25% of your "power budget" when you are running on battery. ..
winbeta.org - 15.05.2007

Windows 7: Designing Aero Snap

Steven Sinofsky: Heres a behind the scenes look at the design of the Aero Snap feature in Windows 7. We thought it would be fun to take a look at the overall design process of the feature and the tools and techniques used. This feature poses a unique design challenge in that you just use the feature without any user-interface specifically to invoke it. As with all features this is a collaboration across all of our engineering disciplines. For this post, Stephan Hoefnagels, a Senior UX designer, presents the design perspective.




winbeta.org - 17.03.2009

Windows 7 beta receiving test updates on Feb. 24th

As various Windows blogs are reporting, Microsoft is issuing some test updates for the official Windows 7 Beta (that's build 7000) this month, on the 24th. The purpose of these updates is to ensure that Windows 7 is fully capable of being issued online updates, and to help the Windows 7 check for any problems or bugs. The updates themselves will not automatically be install, but yet the user will be notified of these and will be offered if they wish to download them. The updates serve no purpose except for testing, and this will be clearly labeled that they are for testing purposes only.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 20.02.2009

Microsoft: Vista UI Uses Little Battery Life

Responding to a number of recent articles claiming that Vista's new "Aero" user interface causes laptops running the new operating system to drain their battery faster, Microsoft has published its own results. The company says Aero consumes only 1% to 4% more battery life than when the feature is disabled...
betanews.com - 15.05.2007

Windows 7 magnifier impractical for vision impaired people

Dan Warne has tipped us off about a "bug" in Windows 7 for vision impaired people. Dr Scott Hollier of Media Access Australia wrote to APC mag to reveal the problem. Hollier says "The bug occurs when a user tries to use the full screen Magnifier in combination with a high contrast colour scheme. The Magnifier appears to be largely dependent on the Aero graphics engine, meaning that it works well when Aero colour themes are used.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 20.01.2009

Microsoft Delivers Sophistication of Windows Aero to New Wireless Laser Desktop 7000

Microsoft Corp. brings the beauty of Windows Aero from the PC to the devices that surround it with its latest keyboard and mouse desktop set, the Wireless Laser Desktop 7000, designed to complement the Windows Vista operating system with its striking design.



The new desktop set includes an ultrathin Comfort Curve keyboard and rechargeable mouse, delivering ultimate performance and comfort. The keyboard features a Windows Aero-inspired translucent design, floating Hot Keys and instant access to Windows Flip 3D,1 making this desktop a perfect companion for todays Windows Vista-based PC.



Today Microsoft also debuts the Digital Media Keyboard 3000, an ultrathin, stylish yet affordable keyboard designed to fit the digital lifestyle.




winbeta.org - 11.03.2008

Talking About Windows talks UX, security,and reliability

Stephen L Rose: Check out our latest addition to TalkingAboutWindows. Ever wonder how decisions were made about the user experience (UX) in Windows 7? Linda Averett is a key program manager on the Windows Team. From Aero Peek and Aero Snap to the design of the new Windows Taskbar. Linda discusses the key decisions we made to make Windows 7 a great end user experience. Find out why "its all about you, and what you do."




winbeta.org - 18.07.2009

Windows 7 Build 6936 Screenshots Emerge

WinFuture.de has posted a surprise gallery of the taskbar in Windows 7 build 6936. Several new things can be spotted in this gallery, such as:

- Updated graphics, for both the task area as well as the notification icons
- Aero Peek no longer shows the stream
- New fish wallpaper

You can also see that the non-Aero UI has a few quirks outside of the taskbar area, but that is to be expected in a pre-beta build.

Head over to the source to view the booty!


jcxp.net - 15.11.2008

16 updates on tap for April Patch Tuesday

An advance notification regarding Microsoft's Patch Tuesday promises eight security updates to Windows, Office, and IE vulnerabilities and eight more non-security related updates for Windows Update and Windows Server Update Services...
betanews.com - 05.04.2008

Sixteen updates on tap for April Patch Tuesday

An advance notification regarding Microsoft's Patch Tuesday promises eight security updates to Windows, Office, and IE vulnerabilities and eight more non-security related updates for Windows Update and Windows Server Update Services...
betanews.com - 07.04.2008

Aero as resource hog? Not exactly¦

Ed Bott: In the midst of an otherwise interesting account of one IT professionals experiences with Windows Vista, Andrew Garcia of eWeek lets fly with this bit of misinformed commentary:



Its really hard to know where to begin pointing out the errors in that one paragraph. But Ill try...




winbeta.org - 14.02.2008

Windows 7 RC to receive test updates on May 12th

Those involved with Windows 7 will remember a while back the beta received test updates, to check if how well the update system worked within Microsoft's new operating system. Well, a similar thing is happening, this time in the Windows 7 RC variety. This has come straight from the company itself, via the Windows Team blog, as well as being reported on TechNet. Keeping it the same as the previous updates, they will deliver no fixes or anything of the sort, and there should be around about 10 of them.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 10.05.2009

Test Updates for Windows 7 Beta Users

Brandon LeBlanc: Starting February 24, we will be releasing up to 5 test updates to PCs running the Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) via Windows Update. These updates allow us to test and verify our ability to deliver and manage the updating of Windows 7. We typically verify servicing scenarios during a beta...




winbeta.org - 20.02.2009

Windows 7: RDP changes improve virtual desktop performance

The Remote Desktop Client in Windows 7 is equipped with new features and enhancements via Remote Desktop Protocol 7 (RDP). The most interesting enhancement is the support for Desktop Composition, full Aero glass effect. Below are the features introduced in Windows 7 Remote Desktop Client Windows 7 Aero supportDirect 2D & Direct 3D 10.1 application supportTrue multi-monitor supportRDP Core Performance ImprovementsMultimedia enhancementsMedia Foundation supportDirectShow supportLow Latency audio playback supportBi-directional audio support I fired up the Remote Desktop Client in the latest Windows 7 build 7057 and tested few things. Remote desktop connection experience is very much improved compared to its previous versions and I also found the session to be incredibly responsive even while playing HD videos.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 16.03.2009

Nick White on Aero and battery life

Nick White, Vista's Product Manager, has responded to an article entitled "Vista, Aero, battery life . . . and Doom" by Dwight Silverman, the tech reviewer at the Houston Chronicle, regarding the impact that the Aero theme has on battery life and performance. White emphasizes that to fully maximize battery life, window transparency is turned off when the machine is put into a power-saving profile but Aero is not because " in the end, doing so is not going to save you much more power ".

White agrees with Dwight (yeah, I had to make it rhyme) that the Aero theme makes the GPU work harder and therefore uses more power. However, he states it's " really not that much more " noting the power needed for a notebook's display (15-25% of the battery) to Aero's (1-4%). He believes that saving the extra power is not worth losing " the cool features that make Windows Vista fun to use, such as Flip 3D, taskbar previews, window transparency and so on ".

White mentions that battery life varies widely depending on the workload the machine is running. He also underlines that testing the impact of software features on battery life is exceptionally tricky, even by benchmarking standards. He claims this is because the charge a battery requires can vary on a multitude of factors, including the battery technology, how recently the battery was power-cycled, how old the battery is, and even the temperature of the battery when it was charged.


neowin.net - 15.05.2007

Windows Defender Gets Updates

It's been a long time since Vista Beta testers have seen updates for Windows Defender. But finally on Tuesday, A new category for updates specified for the program appeared on the Windows Update site, the category for the updates has been classified under "Windows Products".

Along with that, another category named "Definition Updates" will be available for newly released definition updates for the program.

At the moment, Windows Defender is only available to Windows Vista testers and the updates will only become available to those who are testing Microsoft's new Update Service Pack 1.


jcxp.net - 17.01.2006

Microsoft Claims Vista's Aero Interface Doesn't Slow PCs

Running Windows Vista's new Aero graphical interface doesn't impact PC performance, a study sponsored by Microsoft claims.

According to speed measurements of more than 60 common business chores, which were conducted by North Carolina-based Principled Technologies for Microsoft, using the Aero interface "had little or no negative effect on Windows Vista's performance."

Matt Ayers, a program manager with the Windows Client Performance team, touted the results on the group's blog. "We put quite a bit of effort into making sure that the new visuals were as efficient as possible, and it really paid off," he wrote. "You can run Aero without guilt!"

Principled Technologies measured performance with Aero on and off using a Dell XPS M170 notebook equipped with 1 Gbyte of RAM, a 2.0-GHz Intel Pentium M 750 single-core processor, and a graphics card with 256 Mbytes of memory. The laptop's configuration met or exceeded Microsoft's own minimum system requirements for what it calls a "Vista Premium Ready PC," which is a system with sufficient horsepower to run Aero. Those requirements, for example, specify a graphics card with at least 128 Mbytes of memory.

Aero, which can be disabled by the user, is automatically ditched for a simpler, Windows XP-style interface, when Vista is run on lower-powered PCs.

The Vista performance report can be downloaded as a PDF file from here


neowin.net - 02.01.2007