Cannot enable desktop composition

Yesterday, after finishing a Mass Effect 3 session, I noticed that desktop composition had been disabled. I tried re-enabling it in the advanced system settings/performance, but to no avail. Checking it and hitting "apply" didn't change anything. And when I closed and re-opened the performance settings window, it is unchecked.

I also noticed that transparent glass isn't an option (though I can't remember for sure if it showed up before, although I definitely had transparency effects before this issue arose).

Tried doing a clean re-install of the latest nvidia drivers. No luck.

the "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager" service is enabled.

I'm up to date with all the windows updates.

Any advice would be appreciated!

yes, it is. The section wasn't missing, just cropped because that part of the window was outside the boundaries of the screen. Here's the full window:

No, unfortunately I don't have a restore point. Strange, because I've often seen windows claim it's "creating a restore point" when I've been doing an update or something.

Just tried the reg file - no luck. (I'd also tried the other steps in that guide without any success).

I have microsoft security essentials running real time, and I also ran a malwarebytes scan. Doesn't seem to be virus related.

If nothing else works, I'll reinstall windows and see what happens.

Slim chance but did you try changing aero theme to something else?

GokAy said:

Slim chance but did you try changing aero theme to something else?

holy crap. Thank you. Very much!!!

fixed!

I just chose a different aero theme, and all of a sudden I had desktop composition working. Switched back to my regular unsaved theme and everything's back to working order!

mitchell65 said:

If you do go down the re install road I would strongly reecommend that you follow this tutorial:
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
You will finish with the very best install!

that's a great guide, thanks for this. And thanks for your patient help here :)