Basic Theme + Aero = Impossible?

[higgins]

Hi all!

I've been using Windows 7 for a while now, but after a clean install I decided, rather than trying to set it up like XP, actually to try out the new features. Specifically, I want to try out Aero and the new superbar which I both turned off and set up XP style the first time around.

However, it seems to me that enabling solely Aero is impossible, as it automatically turns on the transparent superbar and other transparency elements, such as the upper ends of the windows... and I REALLY can't live with those transparency effects.

Yet if I turn to the basic theme, all Aero is turned off... and turning it on (via fix problems with transparency) I get the whole pot! I don't want the whole pot!

How can I set up the basic theme with solid superbar and non-transparent window edges while having the other Aero effects available?

Thanks!

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Hi higgins,

To change the transparency settings of Aero Glass (the Taskbar and window title bar effect), right-click on the desktop and select Personalize. Then click Window Color and uncheck Enable Transparency. Let me know if that's what you had in mind.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[higgins]

Yes, that's it! Thank you very much!

Edit: Wait, no! Not quite! It fixed the taskbar but not the window edges, which are still smudgy. Now I have window colour set to Sky with transparency turned off, but I want it to be Windows 7 Basic, and there's no such option there to pick!

I can get Windows 7 Basic only by choosing the basic theme but that turns off aero!

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Are you sure you unchecked Enable Transparency? That pretty much does it for me... I'm not sure how much closer to solid colors you can get. With transparency turned off, the window frame still has a slight reflection effect around the top corners of the window... is that what you're seeing?

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[higgins]

I'll include screen for transparency, transparency turned off and basic theme. Unlike in the basic theme, simply turning off transparency still leaves some smudge on the windows. Also, notice the "Window Colour" setting below the notepad. Aero themes have no "basic" window colour option.