Windows 7 automatically switching to basic (non-aero) theme. I need a way to disable that behaviour.

Anonymous
2009-11-15T23:07:02+00:00

This is very similar to what is described here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939423

As well as here: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistaperformance/thread/c7b869e1-5138-48a3-b09d-419f76e2f728

However, this is for Windows 7, not Vista.

Scenario:

On a 3 screen (1920x1080 each) setup ran on an ATI HD4890 (1gb RAM, running 2 screens) + HD 3450 (256mb RAM, running 1 screen), whenever anything graphic intensive is put onto the screen hosted by the HD3450, Windows will complain "The color scheme has been changed to Windows Basic - The current color scheme has exceeded its allowed memory so the color scheme has been automatically changed to improve performance. Click to see more information." and change my theme to Windows Basic.

However, it is to be noted that the 3450 is not being stressed at all (all the load is being put onto the 4890 according to GPU-Z).

It should not be a problem with system RAM (6gb, on Win7 x64) nor processing power (i7 920).

Is there a way to disable Windows automatically "improving performance" by switching my theme?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-02-14T09:27:12+00:00

Run menu > sysdm.cpl > Advanced Tab > performance > select adjust for best performance > make sure you do not allow Windows to choose for you because your computer does not know whats best --- Make sure Enable Aero Peek is checked

---- OR ---

Right click my computer > properties > Advanced System settings > performance > select adjust for best performance > make sure you do not allow Windows to choose for you because your computer does not know whats best --- Make sure Enable Aero Peek is checked

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-11-16T20:35:40+00:00

Hi whsper,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers Community Forums.

The aero theme is basically enabled depending on video card.

Windows Display Driver Modelis the graphic driver architecture for video card drivers running Microsoft Windows versions beginning with Windows Vista.

WDDM driver model version 1.0 is that it does not support multiple drivers in a multi-adapter, multi-monitor setup, the latest version is 2.0 is introduced.

Windows will disable the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) that controls the transparent glass effect or other effects of the Aero theme. The DWM manages the desktop and the primary display settings in Windows.

I would suggest you to check with your manufacturer for latest drivers to support your hardware configuration.

Hope this information helped you.

Regards

Yaaser - Microsoft Support Engineer                                          

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Was this answer helpful?

50+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

138 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-11-04T14:44:16+00:00

    "The aero theme is basically enabled depending on video card."

    It would seem to me that there is a pre-set level of memory that the Aero theme can use and when this is exceeded the OS decides that my computer is running slowly and changes my theme to basic.  The problem is that I have 4 monitors and two high end video cards.  They are not taxed.  I have plenty of free ram and my processor is barely even warm.  There is no need for the OS to change my theme.  At the very least I should be able to disable this "feature".  I understand the need to help people who have no idea what they are doing, but the people that actually have a clue get very annoyed when they are boxed in.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-08-18T15:08:58+00:00

    New guy here, same problem.  I am running an I7 920 with 6GB Ram, my video card is an ATI 3870 X2 (2 chips on one card), OS = Win 7 64bit.  I have a two monitor set up but one is a 2560X1600 30" display and the second is a 1920X1200 24" display, so LOTs of pixels.  When I do something mildly intensive like open multiple AutoCAD drawings I get the "color scheme has exceeded it's allowed memory" message and I am switched to Windows Basic.  Monitoring my resources I never even hit half used so what is the deal?  I have read a number of message board posts with this same issue and there seems to be some commonalities:

    1. Windows 7 64-bit
    2. Core I7 chip
    3. Multiple GPU chips
    4. Multiple monitors

    If anyone out there has this issue but one of these four does not apply to you please post a reply.  I would love to get to the bottom of this.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-18T02:13:00+00:00

    Seriously I want an answer to this problem, there is no problem with ram or video cards.... how to I force it to stay in Aero mode? I have an i7 950, Geforce GTX 275 + GT9800 12GB DRR3 and Why does it say ""The color scheme has been changed to Windows Basic - The current color scheme has exceeded its allowed memory so the color scheme has been automatically changed to improve performance" and how the ____ to allow it more memory

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments