Windows 7 - 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???

Type the word Aero, in search. Then click on fix problems etc..

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 >)

control panel> system> advanced system settings> advanced tab
Under performance (visual effects) check adjust for best performance. Check Aero.

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!