[Guide] Windows 8 - Aero, glass etc.

[rudrax]

We are missing the aero glass interface of windows 7 in windows 8, ain't we. Unfortunately, there isn't any permanent and reliable solution - yet. Still, roaming around the web, I've found something that I wanna share here.

The folks who were searching glass for windows 8, are familiar with DWMhook method. I've tried this too but as it's still in development, has a lot of bugs but it promises permanent aero glass effect for windows 8 and I hope, it will succeed one day.

Now, the thing that I've tried and want to share with you guys is the combination of two extremely small portable utilities.

• Aero8Tuner - 26.26 KB
• bLend - 110 KB

The Procedure

Download Aero8Tuner from the provided link above and run it. Consider the highlighted option in the picture below:

Check the Enable window colorization box if you want the current color scheme to be applied with the transparency.

Slide the color balance slider to maximum to get maximum transparency.

Now, you must check the Force high contrast mode to get the glass effect.

Finally, click on Save and Exit.

Edit: (The above process just writes setting to the registry for current session - after restart, you have to only check the Force high contrast mode again)

After doing this much, you will get an unstable transparency. To make it stable you will need to download another utility named bLend from above provided link and run it as administrator. Consider the highlighted options in the image below:

Select the option Set all windows to be transparent and slide the slider to maximum.

Starting up with system, currently isn't making any difference as it has to be run as admin (if there is any way to start a program with windows startup as admin, please specify)

Now click on Apply/resume button and finally click on Hide.

Now you will be enjoying following interfaces:

Edit:

Turns out it's not Aero8Tuner but bLend which needs to be run again after restart. But no problem. I've found out a trick with Slimrock's help, applying which it will be hassle free to use full transparency in windows 8.

For this you will need to schedule bLend to start up with windows as administrator. So let's do it.

Source of the trick

Edited August 20, 2013 by rudrax

[SlimRock]

Thanks for Sharing!!!

I have a Question for you : How to add the power menu Shortcut to the taskbar like you have to restart, Shutdown the system ? Please Post the step by step method.

[rudrax]

Thanks for Sharing!!!

I have a Question for you : How to add the power menu Shortcut to the taskbar like you have to restart, Shutdown the system ? Please Post the step by step method.

http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/180640-getting-windows-8-better-without-patching-the-system-files/?do=findComment&comment=616121

[SlimRock]

Thanks for Sharing!!!

I have a Question for you : How to add the power menu Shortcut to the taskbar like you have to restart, Shutdown the system ? Please Post the step by step method.

http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/180640-getting-windows-8-better-without-patching-the-system-files/?do=findComment&comment=616121

Thanks for helping me out :thumbsup: !!!

[DKT27]

WindowBlinds does offer some moderately good themes that bring a little similar to Windows 7 looks to Windows 8. :)

[QHu91_IT]

I think DWMGlass is better

http://glass8.berlios.de/

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/161788-aero-glass-for-win8-rc4/

GUI

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/162036-aero-glass-tweaker-gui-for-win8-v132/

THIS IS THE TEST VERSION, THUS IT LIMITS ITS REGULAR USAGE BY DISPLAYING WARNING MESSAGE PERIODICALLY. DO NOT ASK HOW TO REMOVE THIS MESSAGE !!!

Edited August 9, 2013 by QHu91_IT

[anakin206]

I don't like how Firefox looks in the capture.

I like transparency but not that much.

[LiLmEgZ]

This is kinda old news... remember reading about it on NeoWin back in the winter time here in the US.

Thanks for the kind reminder again for those who missed the articles!

[kacali]

Thanks

[robivan]

Thank for sharing these

[rudrax]

Thanks for Sharing!!!

I have a Question for you : How to add the power menu Shortcut to the taskbar like you have to restart, Shutdown the system ? Please Post the step by step method.

http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/180640-getting-windows-8-better-without-patching-the-system-files/?do=findComment&comment=616121

Thanks for helping me out :thumbsup: !!!

You're welcome :)

WindowBlinds does offer some moderately good themes that bring a little similar to Windows 7 looks to Windows 8. :)

I've once tried windows blinds on windows 7 and the experience with it was good, yet, I'd say, it's an Apache helicopter for killing an ant.

[mazigh]

Thanks, Keep the good work up :)

[rudrax]

A install and forget tool for obtaining transparency in windows 8 posted here http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/205129-aero-glass-for-windows-81-version-11/?hl=%2Bwin+%2Baero#entry732389

[Amans]

Thnx.. but it's old now

[rudrax]

By the time I've created this thread, this was a brand new subject matter.