Transparency.

[Nobodybutme]

So i need to know, what file actually makes the transparency in Windows 7 possible, since Windows XP isn't even capable of transparency and Windows 7 is, it means there must be one file ( or many files ) that are responsible for it, and im very interested in finding it.

I mean responsible in the way, that if you delete the file ( or files ) then you will no longer have transparency ( and probably mess up your Widnows 7 too. )

If anyone could help, i would be happy. Thanks.

 

[Abhishek Ghosh]

There is no single file, many sets of dll files (the number should be logically almost double in case of 64 bit system in contrast to 32 bit), png images, bitmaps with transparency makes the look.

Many of these dll files are heart of the whole operating system (like explorer.exe, explorerframe.dll) ; if you want to delete, keep the installation DVD/ restore media ready for the next boot
Actually you cant delete them by default, Windows will not allow you. There is ways to overcome this barrier (taking ownership) to modify and make new themes.

 

[Nobodybutme]

There is no single file, many sets of dll files (the number should be logically almost double in case of 64 bit system in contrast to 32 bit), png images, bitmaps with transparency makes the look.

Many of these dll files are heart of the whole operating system (like explorer.exe, explorerframe.dll) ; if you want to delete, keep the installation DVD/ restore media ready for the next boot
Actually you cant delete them by default, Windows will not allow you. There is ways to overcome this barrier (taking ownership) to modify and make new themes.

So there are many files ( .dll, .png, etc. etc. ) that actually MAKE the transparency work in Windows 7?
Hmm..

Is there anyway of actually getting only these files, or like finding them out of all the other system files? I really need only those, and since i have no idea whatsoever where to find these, im asking here. Thanks.

 

[Abhishek Ghosh]

You can see my post on how to make a theme, you will get some idea. Here is the link.

You can use Resource Hacker to see inside the dll files (you will get the download link inside that post).

This is how the theme makers increase or decrease the transparency of custom themes.

P.S. : Apart from the image files, there are codes inside the dll files (Almost like CSS codes used for web site designing); these also controls the behavior.

By the way, these all informations are gathered from peoples experimental works, people who are curious like you...as Microsoft Windows is not a Open Source Software, we cant not get the full blueprint.

 

[Prisoner]

Actually, XP does support transparency. It just doesn't have the Aero system. Aero would be the talked-about system files, like the DLLs, PNGs, Bitmaps, etc, but all Windows NT operating systems have transparency support (though only the operating systems with Aero, eg Vista and 7, have advanced effects like blur).

 

[Anfanglove]

I have a silly question, but I really need to know since I'm buying a netbook soon. Does windows7 starter support aero? I really hope it does

 

[Prisoner]

I don't believe it does. Some people have said that they've enabled it on Starter, but if you wanted Aero, I'd suggest playing on the safe side and getting an edition of 7 that does.

• Windows 7 Enterprise
• Windows 7 Home Premium (the cheapest on the list)
• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows 7 Ultimate

 

[Abhishek Ghosh]

No it does not by default.

"How to enable Aero in Windows 7 Basic" is just like making Win XP looking like Win 7 ; this is my honest opinion, but I posted such elsewhere

Prisoner is right. The lowest version by cost having Aero is Windows 7 Home Premium.

 

[Anfanglove]

what a pity.... well i think i can live without aero on my netbook. but if it could be activated in a simple and safe way, i would do it to get the aero. I have the ultimate, i heard that we need wintoflash in order to be able to install the windows onto the netbook, since it doesnt have any CD-DVD ROM. Is that true?

 

[Abhishek Ghosh]

what a pity.... well i think i can live without aero on my netbook. but if it could be activated in a simple and safe way, i would do it to get the aero. I have the ultimate, i heard that we need wintoflash in order to be able to install the windows onto the netbook, since it doesnt have any CD-DVD ROM. Is that true?

Cant get it...if you have the Ultimate and your hardware supports aero, it will activated by default. (Though there is way to force enable aero in case of incapable hardware profile in Home premium upwards, including Ultimate).

For the second part, yes you can install from pendrive. Please check tutorial section for reference and if you have problem, please post the specifically that query in installation section.

 

[Anfanglove]

The ultimate belongs to the asus, and my acer's got starter. the starter version doesnt even support themes. so sad