Solved Cannot enable desktop composition

[spacediver]

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!

 

[mitchell65]

From your screenshot I see the "Windows Activation" section is missing! Is your Windows installation activated?

 

[spacediver]

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:

 

[mitchell65]

Have you got a system restore point dated before this problem occured?
EDIT
You might try Option 3 of this first:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/127411-desktop-composition-enable-disable.html

 

[spacediver]

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.

 

[GokAy]

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

 

[mitchell65]

If you do go down the re install road I would strongly reecommend that you follow this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164
You will finish with the very best install!

 

[spacediver]

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!

 

[spacediver]

If you do go down the re install road I would strongly reecommend that you follow this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164
You will finish with the very best install!

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

 

[mitchell65]

Good to hear that the situation is resolved. Good thinking Gokhan!
Spacediver, can you mark this thead as resolved now. To do this go to your first post, click Edit and the put the green tick in the row of smilies and put it in the topic heading!

 

[derekimo]

To do this go to your first post, click Edit and the put the green tick in the row of smilies and put it in the topic heading!

...Or this nice green solved button,

I went ahead and marked it solved.

 

[spacediver]

ah, got to this too late, thanks derek

 

[CarloB]

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!

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

Thamks a lot GokAy!! problem solved also in my pc with your tip!