New Windows 7 install but unable to enable Aero.

mmurray1988 · 02 Dec 2017

I am performing a new install of Windows 7.

According to Device Manager and Windows updates, all my drivers are up to date, but I am still unable to use Aero.

Because I am using the onboard hardware and not a dedicated video card, am I able to use Aero with the current system?

Here are my system specs

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI - B250I PRO Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill - NT Series 8GB
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Case: Thermaltake - Core V1 Snow Edition Mini ITX Tower Case
Power Supply: EVGA - 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
Monitor: ASUS VS197D-P

I should also add this PC does not have a CD tray

Any help is appreciated

FreeBooter · 02 Dec 2017

You should download latest device driver from device manufacturer website because Microsoft does not always have the latest device driver.

After you've installed the driver, go to the control panel and and then to "Performance information and tools". After that click "Calculate Windows Experience Index" (if it's not calculated yet) or "Refresh Now" (if calculated, but outdated).

mmurray1988 · 02 Dec 2017

FreeBooter said:

You should download latest device driver from device manufacturer website because Microsoft does not always have the latest device driver.

After you've installed the driver, go to the control panel and and then to "Performance information and tools". After that click "Calculate Windows Experience Index" (if it's not calculated yet) or "Refresh Now" (if calculated, but outdated).

I also used Intel Driver and Support assistant to see if I had any drivers that needed updating but nothing comes up.

Barman58 · 02 Dec 2017

As this is an on board graphics chip it will probably use shared memory from the 8GB Maximum of main system memory. This amount of ram is normally set somewhere in the BIOS, and is often set at a low level to maximise the RAM available to programs. Check your documentation on how to enter the BIOS, (normally tapping Del repeatedly during the initial boot before windows starts), and check your options for onboard peripherals, set the shared memory to 1GB to start and save and see if this is sufficient to allow AERO.

If not you can increase in 128MB steps until the Aero will work, remember that any memory you allocate to graphics will not be available to RAM. and as Graphics memory operates faster than Normal DDR memory It will never be as good as a separate card Some graphics subsystems will not support Aero whatever memory is allocated

mmurray1988 · 02 Dec 2017

Barman58 said:

As this is an on board graphics chip it will probably use shared memory from the 8GB Maximum of main system memory. This amount of ram is normally set somewhere in the BIOS, and is often set at a low level to maximise the RAM available to programs. Check your documentation on how to enter the BIOS, (normally tapping Del repeatedly during the initial boot before windows starts), and check your options for onboard peripherals, set the shared memory to 1GB to start and save and see if this is sufficient to allow AERO.

If not you can increase in 128MB steps until the Aero will work, remember that any memory you allocate to graphics will not be available to RAM. and as Graphics memory operates faster than Normal DDR memory It will never be as good as a separate card Some graphics subsystems will not support Aero whatever memory is allocated

Thanks for the suggestion.

I allocated the max of 1024 but it still will not enable it.

FreeBooter · 02 Dec 2017

Are you selecting Aero Theme from Personalization window?

Click the Start button and type "aero". Then click on “Find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects”.
The troubleshooter will then try to detect any problems, analyzing a number of components required to activate or turn on Aero, such as video memory, Desktop Windows Manager (DWM) service, color, themes, etc. and power setting. When finished reviewing your machine, the troubleshooter will attempt to fix error related to Aero.

mmurray1988 · 02 Dec 2017

FreeBooter said:

Are you selecting Aero Theme from Personalization window?

Click the Start button and type "aero". Then click on “Find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects”.
The troubleshooter will then try to detect any problems, analyzing a number of components required to activate or turn on Aero, such as video memory, Desktop Windows Manager (DWM) service, color, themes, etc. and power setting. When finished reviewing your machine, the troubleshooter will attempt to fix error related to Aero.

Under problems found it reads "video card driver doesn't support aero effects".

Does this mean my current driver is still not up to date?

I have several computers many years older who support Aero after all.

FreeBooter · 02 Dec 2017

If your computer integrated graphic controller is "Intel HD Graphics 4000" you can download latest driver from below link.

Downloads for Intel® HD Graphics 4000

Downloads for Intel® HD Graphics 610

mmurray1988 · 02 Dec 2017

FreeBooter said:

If your computer integrated graphic controller is "Intel HD Graphics 4000" you can download latest driver from below link.

Downloads for Intel® HD Graphics 4000

Downloads for Intel® HD Graphics 610

You included 2 links. Which do I use?

FreeBooter · 02 Dec 2017

Downloads for Intel® HD Graphics 610