Windows Vista introduced the Desktop Window Manager and the Aero theme for window borders, title bars and the Start menu. This theme is very beautiful. Windows 7 and Windows Vista came with a blur effect for the transparency used in the Aero theme. This glass effect got removed in Windows 8. Due to user feedback, it was restored in Windows 10 but title bars and window borders continue to use only flat colors. Thankfully, there is a solution for Windows 10 version 1703 "Creators Update".
There is good news for all transparency fans - BigMuscle, the person who had revived the Aero Glass effect for Windows 8 and Windows 10 using DirectX, has updated his tool for the recent version of Windows 10. Unfortunately, it has been released only for 64-bit Windows 10 version.
To get Aero Glass in Windows 10 Creators Update, you need to follow the instructions below.
- Visit the official web site of Aero Glass.
- From the download page, grab the file "64-bit Windows" under the label " Aero Glass for Win8.1+ v1.5.3 - change log ". See the screenshot below.
- Unpack the archive. You can use 7-Zip for that. Place the files in any folder you want. I will extract them to the folder c:\aeroglass:
- Do not run any executable file. Rename the DWMGlass.dll file to DWMGlass.dll.bak as shown below.
- Now you need to download the new DLL file with Creators Update support. It is a BETA version as of this writing, so you need to download it from the following page:
Download beta version of Aero Glass
The most recent build at this time is 1.5.4.904. - Download the file under the label "Designed for 10.0.15063". It is suitable for Windows 10 version 1703. The file is named rs2_15063_904_x64dbg.7z
- Extract DWMGlass.dll to the c:\aeroglass folder.
- Now, download this batch file. Save it to the same folder where you store the aero glass app files. Right-click on the batch file in File Explorer and select "Run as Administrator" from the context menu.
- This will apply Aero Glass with blur in Windows 10 Creators Update. No reboot is required. The result will be as follows:
Note: The application is donationware. You need to donate the author to get rid of the desktop watermark as well as generate a license for yourself after donating from this web page. The machine code is unique to every PC.
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I tried this on build 16199, and it works fine. I moved debug window to a new desktop using taskview.
Heh, nice trick!
Expect a few bugs. Whether you want to keep it or not depends on how much you like the effect.
You won’t be able to remove the watermark (at least in a legal way) even with a donation as this is an experimental build.
I’ve been using this for some time, waiting until BM gets the installable ready. Me like. The donation is no problem, no more than it is.
Aero Glass works very nice. Too bad it does not “aeroify” Office 2016 title bars…
How do you uninstall this?
I removed the scheduled task and deleted all files.
Thank you but I can not download the batch file. Is it a broken link ?
Strange. I have no issues with the link. Here is the contents of the file.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Yes I’vot got the same but apparently I do not know how to convert it on a “batch file”.
I finally succeded.
Hello you just have to copy the whole text into your favour editor and save it as “schedule.bat” into the aeroglass folder. than you run as admin and it works … well it did for me ;-)
On startup the debug window opens. Is there a way to get rid of it?
I think the author have to change something in the app to hide that window.
In a general case, some tool like “cmdow” should help.
Thank you for your quick resporce. That actually helped!
I’ve tried to hide the debug window with Cmdow but I can’t get it to go away.
Can you please provide step by step instructions on how to do it?
Try task view and out it on another window.
So I’ve tried this a few times now and it works…… until I try to move a window.
The whole system locks up, DWM appears to crash, and resets, and the cycle repeats.
I can’t touch any window border without it crashing.
Is anyone else experiencing this or does anyone know how to fix this issue?
Same here. Minimize/maximize/close work, but if I try to do anything to the border, Aero Glass crashes and restarts. If I find a solution, I’ll post it. We’re probably just going to have to wait it out.
I tried this and did not work. I ask for precise information on how to qualify to work.
Greetings
It keeps on coming up saying: “Aero Glass for Win8+1 Incompatibility issue. Aero glass does not know how to hook your version of DWM (0x200)”
Could it be because of a custom theme or icon pack?
-thx
Me too!
It keeps on coming up saying: “Aero Glass for Win8+1 Incompatibility issue. Aero glass does not know how to hook your version of DWM (0x200)”
It misses some library. I already installed about 3 to 5 GB and still it’s not working!
Will it be possible to update the software with all the links and information to do so?
Might be that a donation might be out of order, fee will do. About what? 2 to 5 €?
The experimental .dll is not listed on the website anymore. Any thoughts?
cannot see download option in the beta page you mentioned