Aero just suddenly stopped working.

Hi guys, I'm hoping somebody can help me out here...

The first thing I do after installing win 7 is apply the uxtheme patch. I've been running custom themes for a while, but yesterday decided to change the look of things. I applied a os x leopard type theme, it didn't work and now I've lost all desktop visual effects (transparency, themes, win+tab).

I run the diagnostic and it detects that 'Windows Desktop Manager is disabled' - so I think "Ok, I'll just go into services and re-enable it"... but it's GONE! How the hell can a service just remove it self?

So I run System Restore back to when I knew it was working, but still no damn transparency, that service or themes, just the default non-transparent Aero!

Could anyone help???

It says it's Enabled the Desktop Manager... but it seems to be telling lies as it's still not in the services! :/

Also the UXSMS service won't start (<Failed to Read Description. Error Code: 2 >)

mamboboy said:

Hi guys, I'm hoping somebody can help me out here...

The first thing I do after installing win 7 is apply the uxtheme patch. I've been running custom themes for a while, but yesterday decided to change the look of things. I applied a os x leopard type theme, it didn't work and now I've lost all desktop visual effects (transparency, themes, win+tab).

I run the diagnostic and it detects that 'Windows Desktop Manager is disabled' - so I think "Ok, I'll just go into services and re-enable it"... but it's GONE! How the hell can a service just remove it self?

So I run System Restore back to when I knew it was working, but still no damn transparency, that service or themes, just the default non-transparent Aero!

Could anyone help???

I had the same problem recently when I tried to change my visual style, I would suggest restoring your original 'uxtheme.dll' file, and using UXStyle instead though (UxStyle - no more patching.).

To start with though; I would suggest a system restore to just before the problem started, or perhaps run system file check (sfc /scannow from an elevated command prompt). If you can get the standard Aero theme to work again, then we can work on allowing third-party themes.

Essentially, using UXStyle leaves the standard system files and runs as a background service to bypass the signed theme test, therefore allowing third-party themes without having to replace or patch system files. Try that and see if it helps?

Thanks for the responses guys. I was trying for hours last night to sort it- I tried scannow, system restore, reapplying the uxtheme patch... as a final straw I just attempted a repair with my win 7 disc and it seems to have sorted it! Thanks for the UXstyle link zalith, I'll try it out!