Fine Tuning the Performance of Vista Aero

The functionality of Windows Vista Aero is directly proportional with the configuration of the system on which the operating system is running. In this regard, Vista will attribute a Windows Experience Index to the computer and the WEI will determine the performances of the operating system. This means that while Windows Vista will successfully run on machines with a WEI base score of 1 or 2, the Aero graphical user interface will not.

In fact, Microsoft has informed that even with 128 MG of graphics memory, Aero might still generate performance issues. Aero is strictly dependent on the graphics card. It will deliver a poor performance on systems with low-end video cards, as long as the WEI is over 3.

But of course you can tweak it. There is no need to revert to the windows Vista Basic theme, as long as you can increase the functionality of Aero. There is, of course, a trade-off here. Visuals for functionality. There is a middle way that will enable better performance of Aero on low-end graphic cards, but you will have to do without some of the visual effects. If you are willing to make this sacrifice, here is how, as presented from Kristan Kenney from WindowsNow.

Click on Start, and then click on Computer. In the Computer window, click on "System properties". In the task pane (on the left hand side), click on "Advanced system settings", and if prompted by User Account Control for consent, click on "Continue". Under "Performance" click on the "Settings..." button. Uncheck the following items:

- Animated windows when minimizing and maximizing
- Enable transparent glass (optional, performance change will depend on the level of graphics card you have)
- Fade or slide menus into view
- Fade or slide ToolTips into view
- Fade out menu items after clicking
- Show shadows under menus
- Slide open combo boxes
- Slide taskbar buttons

Click on the OK button to apply the new settings and dismiss the Performance Options dialog.