Transparency in Windows 8.1

One of the distinctive features of the system interface is its transparency. This feature was introduced indirectly in Vista (where it was called "mirror effect" or "glass effect") and directly in Windows 7 (as part of UI Aero; Transparency could only be enabled using video card drivers, and only on average computers by those standards could Aero function quite well - weak computers in 2009-2010. they simply weren’t up to the task of transparency, and had to be content with a solid theme). How are things going with transparency? OS Windows 8? Things are very stable. Transparency in the Windows interface has become so established that now you don’t even need any top-end video cards or drivers - the panels will be transparent as soon as you install the system.

However, if you don't need transparency, you can choose contrasting themes in Personalization, or go a more complex route.

In the Run menu (hotkey combination Win+R) type the word Resources. A folder will open in which we need the "Themes" directory.

Copy the "aero.theme" file to the desktop and open it using Notepad (right-click - Open with...).

In the [VisualStyles] section, in the Path item, change aero.msstyles on Aerolight.msstyles.

In the [Theme] section, replace the first word Windows with any other word. The Microsoft website offers an "Opaque Panel".

Next, you need to save the file and change the name to something else, for example aero-2.theme. Move the file either to the Resources folder, or to the "Documents" folder, or to any other folder - your imagination is at work here. The theme is applied by double-clicking the left mouse button on the theme. The theme can then be saved in the personalization settings. Today we talked a little about the history of such an interface detail as “transparency”, and touched on this element in the newest version of Windows, as well as the ability to disable it. Stay with us and you will see many more interesting and useful articles!