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

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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

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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                                          

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-31T04:16:29+00:00

    I had same problem.

    I did two things

    I went to RUN then typed: sysdm.cpl

    Then System Properties window came up, then I selected the Advance TAB, then Settings and on the Visual Effects TAB I checked the Custom and made sure all the boxes were checked then closed it and restarted windows 7.

    I also downloaded and installed the latest version of Quicktime Version 7.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-31T02:17:38+00:00

    I only have and use one Dell  ST2420L 24" widescreen full HD monitor with LED

    I use HDMI cord from monitor to PC.

    Whenever I start Sibelius Version 6.2.0 (music notation software) I get the same thing..

    Windows 7 automatically switches to basic (non-aero) theme and everything gets real small and I can hardley see things.

    I also run Sonar Version 6.2.1 and Aero Works fine and doesn't revert to Windows Basic Theme

    I have all the latest updates from Sibelius and all the latest Microsoft Updates as well.

    msinfo32 System Info:

    OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

    Processor Pentium(R) Dual-Core  CPU      E5700  @ 3.00GHz, 2992 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s) 

    BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. A06, 12/1/2010 

    SMBIOS Version 2.6

    Total Physical Memory 4.0 GB

    THIS issue IS REAL BAD

    Will someone at Microsoft PLEASE  HELP  US?

    Mr. Robin

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-01-26T17:20:25+00:00

    Thank you very much. That fix worked for me, and the problem was also blocking Roboform from filling in Excel passwords 

    What was causing the aero loss in my system was that I am running Eudora 7.1.0.9, and when I would scroll through some (not all) emails with embedded objects, it would cause the loss of the aero.  The current Quicktime settings are a little different than you show, so here is my version of this fix:

    In Windows 7 Open the Control Panel and click Quicktime. Click the Advanced Tab, and under video click the radio button for Safe Mode.

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