How to improve graphics on a computer - hardware and software methods. Windows Aero desktop and performance Customizing visual effects

Windows Aero is a collection of special visual effects for displaying desktop content. The most well-known and understood of these is the transparency of Explorer windows. Such improvements require the computer hardware to provide additional system resources, which on weak machines can lead to "brakes" in animation, tooltips and other Aero effects. In this article, we will talk about how to solve this problem.

GUI display operating system using Aero means increasing the load on those computer components that are responsible for graphics. This is the CPU and video card. If their power is not enough, then delays in work are inevitable. "Explorer" and other applications that use transparency and animation.

If in the section "Assessing and increasing computer performance" in the column "Desktop Performance for Windows Aero" If there is a value from 1 to 4, then this means that either you do not need to use these effects, or you should artificially increase the performance of your computer by installing a more powerful video card.

The processor in this situation is not so important, since the minimum system requirements set to 1 GHz. However, a weak CPU can be overloaded with background processes, and there may not be enough resources for Aero.

If it is not possible to change the hardware, then you can try to reduce the load on the system by completely or partially abandoning the Aero functionality. Other factors can also affect system performance, which we will discuss later.

Disabling visual effects

In a situation where everything is not so bad with hardware, turning off the transparency of windows can help. You can do this in the settings section. "Personalization".

If the "brakes" remain, then you need to disable other visual effects. This will allow you to turn transparency back on while maintaining the look of the windows.

  1. Right click on the shortcut "Computer" on the desktop, and then point by point "Properties".

  2. Now let's move on to advanced system settings.

  3. Here in the block "Performance", press the button "Options".

  4. Remove all checkboxes from the effects. The easiest way to do this is to set the switch to the position "Get the best performance". The jackdaws will disappear. You don't need to press anything else.

  5. Now check the boxes next to the following items:
    • "Enable desktop composition";
    • "Enable transparency effect";
    • "Using Display Styles for Windows and Buttons";
    • "Smooth jagged screen fonts";

    The last item is optional, but this way texts and inscriptions will look as usual, that is, much nicer than without anti-aliasing. This parameter has almost no effect on performance. Other positions are needed, as we said above, to maximize the preservation of the familiar look of the graphical shell.

  6. After completing the settings, press "Apply".

Elimination of "brakes" by other methods

If after turning off visual effects, the performance of the desktop still leaves much to be desired, then there may be other factors affecting this. This, in addition to weak hardware, can be a large number of"garbage" or high fragmentation of files on the system hard drive, "extra" applications, as well as viruses.

To eliminate these factors, you must perform the following steps:


The Aero interface used in Windows 7 and Vista operating systems is distinguished not only by its modern and stylish appearance, but also by serious hardware requirements. For this reason, disabling some subtle visual effects can greatly speed up desktop and interface performance in Windows 7.

Settings for Windows 7 and Vista

How to increase desktop performance for Windows Aero? Even now, after the release of the optimized and much less resource-intensive Windows 7, this issue does not lose its relevance.

Especially often, owners of inexpensive ULV laptops, nettops and, extremely popular in Lately, compact netbooks (with the possible exception of models based on the NVIDIA ION and AMD platforms), whose video system is not designed to handle complex graphic elements Windows 7 and Vista, because these devices were created with an eye to maximum energy efficiency and low cost, which inevitably affected the performance of all elements of the system.

However, this is not a reason to completely disable the improved color scheme Aero or downgrade to a previous generation OS. There is a possibility enjoy many Aero effects, even on low end systems, avoiding the cost of more powerful solutions or Windows downgrades.

To ensure the normal functioning of a system equipped with an insufficiently powerful video adapter, we recommend that you fine-tune the visual effects, which will result in faster and more efficient work with the operating system interface.

IN Windows versions 7 "Starter" and "Home Basic" uses a lightweight Aero interface, which, however, also includes many unnecessary graphic effects that reduce system performance. To do this, you need to disable some, not too necessary and noticeable (especially on small screens of netbooks), visual effects Windows 7 and Vista leaving only the essentials. Thus, you will offload the computing power of your computer and video card, practically without losing the graphic beauties of the Aero interface.

Selectively disable Aero visual effects

All GUI settings are collected in the "Windows Visual Effects Manager". The easiest way to find it in the wilds of the system is to enter the phrase " Visual effects" V search line start menu. The first item in the search results will be the link " Tuning System View and Performance", clicking on which you will see the following window:

If you cannot open the visual effects control using the search, open the "Start" menu > "Control Panel" > Change the view mode from "Categories" to "Small Icons" Open "System" > " Extra options system" and open the settings section "Performance". For more convenient parameter settings, set the selector to " Ensure maximum performance", thereby removing the checkboxes from all interface settings. After that, check the following items:

  • Enable desktop composition
  • Using window and button display styles
  • Show thumbnails instead of icons
  • Smooth out roughness in screen fonts.

Click "Apply" to activate the settings and restart your computer. To undo changes, select Restore Defaults.

If, after saving the changes, the "transparent" Aero interface disappears, right-click on the desktop Windows 7 or Vista, select an item "Personalization", then "Color and appearance of windows", check the box next to "Enable transparency" and click "OK"

The changes made to the graphics settings had practically no effect on the usability of the operating system, but their impact on overall performance is hard to underestimate. The freed up resources of the video card, processor and random access memory the system will direct to more pressing tasks, improving the operation of the system as a whole.

To fully unlock the full potential of the system, proceed to the next section of the express system optimization course.

Users of operating systems Windows 7 and Windows Vista most likely noticed that they have an option called Windows Aero. This feature allows you to create transparent titles, thumbnails for applications, minimize all inactive windows with a single click, and much more, which makes working on the computer more attractive and convenient. For the normal functioning of this option, a considerable amount of resources is required, especially video memory. That's why performance should be evaluated for Windows Aero. If you feel that your computer is too old for this function, you can simplify the interface or upgrade your hardware data.

Peculiarities

The Aero glass interface comes in its entirety in versions of Windows 7, starting with Home Premium, and Vista. It is beautiful, but for some users it may be useless and inconvenient due to the degradation of computer performance. Of course, you should not expect that after disabling this function, the computer will become more powerful and will be able to work with the most modern games, however, a certain performance gain will be obtained.

From English, the word aero is translated as "air". Windows Aero is a brand new type appearance windows, including transparency, as well as a 3D effect that appears when they are flipped using the Win + Tab key combination. Often there is a feeling that the desktop performance for Windows Aero is low, which makes you want to get rid of this option.

The interface comes with the theme. By default, after the Windows 7 or Vista operating system is installed, a theme that supports this feature will become active. To turn it off, you need to select some other theme in the personalization settings. In the list, you should select a set of basic simplified themes or those that have a high contrast. Of these, you can choose the one that you like. For example, the simplified style of Windows 7 is very similar in appearance to Windows Aero, but it does not use transparency.

Changing the theme affects the appearance of windows, the desktop backgrounds used, and also on You can do it differently: leave Aero, but turn off transparency (you can do this directly in the theme settings, the color settings are also regulated there).

Options for getting out of the situation

Let's talk about several ways to improve the performance of Windows Aero. For example, you can go to the settings for visual effects. To do this, simply use the search bar of the Start menu and select the item of the same name. After that, you will be prompted to open the "View and Performance Settings" window, in which you can turn off a number of options that are not too necessary in your opinion. So, you can uncheck the "Animation" item in the "Start" menu and this will significantly improve the performance of Windows Aero. If you do not need any visual effects at all, then you can simply select a simplified style in the "Personalization" item, which you will see if you call the desktop context menu.

There is one more enough good way improve desktop performance for Windows Aero. It is allowed to produce for a video card. You do not need to know what kind of video card is on the computer. It is enough to refer to context menu shortcut "My Computer" on the desktop, select "Properties", and in a new window, find "Device Manager". Next, you only need to download latest version drivers for your card.

Another look at the problem

Operating Windows systems 7 and Vista got a very interesting feature for evaluating desktop performance with the Aero option enabled. This option is unique in that the system displays the results of such a check on the screen. As a result, you will be presented with data showing what is the performance of the desktop for Windows Aero in general. You have the ability to change the value without using any special programs- growth is achieved by optimizing system settings.

How To: Change Windows Aero Desktop Performance

The ratings that the system gives you are initially stored on the hard drive, so you can very easily not only find out their values, but also replace them manually. You should go along the path: C:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore. However, in order to change the real coefficients, it is necessary to improve the performance of the computer. Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems are more resource intensive than their predecessors, so to ensure effective work you can not only apply overclocking of the processor, RAM and video card, but also purchase new components, which will be a better choice.

Finally

So, now you not only know what Windows Aero desktop performance is, but you also know how it can be affected. Good luck!

The Windows Aero theme for desktop is very popular. It is used not only in Windows 7, but also in Windows 8. However, owners of weak PCs and laptops, when installing this theme, often notice a decrease in performance not only of the desktop, but of the system as a whole. This problem is related to the lack of performance of the video card. At the same time, this drawback lies precisely in the minimum cost of the device. Manufacturers of budget PCs and laptops focus on the energy efficiency of the product, and not on its power. However, that doesn't mean you can't use Windows Aero on a budget PC. It's possible to improve PC performance with Windows Aero theme.

Why does my PC glitch when using the Windows Aero theme?

The Windows Aero theme contains over 200 visual effects that create rich GUI. To play all these effects on the PC must be installed good graphics card. Otherwise, the performance of the interface will be poor.

To check which visual effects are used in Windows 7, you should follow a few simple steps:

  • Click Start, Control Panel, System and Security. Set the view mode to "Categories" and select the "System" section. Select "Advanced Options" from the left menu.
  • A new window will open. In the "Performance" section, click on the "Settings" button.

  • In the "Visual Effects" tab, we look at the entire list of effects that reduce desktop performance in Windows

To improve the performance of the interface of the Windows 7 and 8 operating system with this theme, you should perform a few simple steps.

How to improve desktop performance with the Windows Aero theme?

In the "Visual Effects" tab, if you check "Ensure best view”, the most full list Windows Aero visual effects. It is this parameter that causes a decrease in performance.

If you change the checkbox to “Ensure the best performance”, then the theme, along with visual effects, will be automatically disabled. The marks from the visual effects will disappear.

To leave Windows theme Aero and improve the performance of the working interface, it is worth abandoning heavy graphic effects and setting the "Special Effects" mark. In this case, you need to remove the marks from all elements, except:

  • Enable desktop composition;
  • Enable transparency effect;
  • Using display styles for windows and buttons;
  • Smooth out roughness of screen fonts;
  • Save the taskbar thumbnail view.

Then click "Apply" and "OK". We also recommend that you restart your PC. System performance will increase by 20-30%. If you want to get a greater effect, then you should remove unused shortcuts from the desktop, delete junk files, will move folders to HDD. Only after performing various manipulations, the performance of the desktop will increase significantly.

For useful tips on how to improve system performance with Windows Aero, see the video: