Tune Up Windows Aero Glass

very good
key review info
application features
  • It allows you to change all DWM parameters separately without DWM restarting
  • (2 more, see all...)

Although Windows does not provide the necessary instruments, Aero interface can be tweaked to some new parameters. AeroTuner is a nifty application that can help you expand the limitations imposed by Microsoft.

Microsoft’s effort to grasp the meaning of “eye-candy” and its success in bringing it to Windows is undeniable. Aero interface stands not only as proof of that, but it is also the evidence of a much more functional desktop space.

Unfortunately, besides enabling and disabling aero glass by choosing from the basic and high contrast theme pack from the personalization menu and tinkering with colors (change intensity, play with the color mixer) and turn transparency on or off there is nothing more you can do. There are no built-in customization options to help you give your copy of Windows a snazzier look.

AeroTuner is no complicated instrument, but it can give you a hand with modifying the aero glass options provided by Windows, but it sports more options, like adjusting the blur balance. The application is absolutely free of charge and requires no installation.

Just unzip and hit the executable. It’s a one-window interface so handling everything should be pretty easy. AeroTuner works by making some modifications to some Windows Registry entries. Everything is reversible so the danger of hitting trouble all of a sudden is eliminated.

The interface comes with an enlarged border, especially the title bar; we found it comes in really handy to better view the changes we make to aero glass. However, when trying to drag it on the screen you’ll notice that you can do this only by pinching the upper part of the interface.

The options available in the application can be handled with the utmost ease, regardless of your computer knowledge. Their effect is immediate, so there is no need for a live preview section.

AeroTuner lets you select the combination of colors (main color and the color of the glow) you want the glassy part of the windows to be tinted with. If transparency is not you thing, you can turn it off with a click of a button and make opaque everything that used to be see through. Of course, the mixed tint between main and glow colors is preserved.

Under “Parameters” section of the application window you can make adjustments to the color balance or set the afterglow color balance. Additional options let you customize the blur level or drag by a slider to set the desired amount of aero stripes.

As far as blur balance is concerned we noticed that the only effect dragging the slider to the left or right has is to modify the luminosity of the transparent bar. Maximum blur balance would lead to a clearer view of the elements behind the glass, while taking the slider to the minimum would dim the light covering all elements behind the glass.

Aero stripes give the impression of reflection to a keen eye. Otherwise you can keep this to whatever value you want because it will cause no strong visible modifications.

Although the developer did not include an option to revert all the changes to the original Windows configuration, there is an easy way to get back to the old looks. All you have to do is choose your theme from “Personalization” screen of the operating system and all AeroTuner changes will be wiped off.

We noticed that despite the “Save changes“ button in the lower part of the interface the program automatically applies all the changes as soon as you make them, thus defeating its purpose. Normal behavior would have rolled back all the changes as soon as the application would turn off without altering the registry entries.

AeroTuner has been created with the simple purpose of providing some options to tweak the way Windows aero glass feature affects your application windows. It lets you combine two colors for a better looking effect as well as adjust the color balance. It is not complex program like AquaSnap but it does a good job without creating unnecessary trouble.

Because it modifies the registry directly it does not need to work in the background. This way no computer resources are used to maintain the effects and even of you delete it the changes will not be erased. Also, you can carry AeroTuner on a removable storage device and use it on different Windows 7 systems.


The Good

AeroTuner requires no installation and it is extremely easy to use. It is a one-window application which lays all its options in a single view.

All changes you make can be clearly observed in the enlarged title bar of the application. You can turn transparency on and off and still benefit from a custom tainted title bar in every application window.

The Bad

Each alteration you make is applied on the spot; the “Save changes” button does nothing except inform you that the app modifies Windows registry.

We could not see any difference in blur level when using the blur balance bar.

The Truth

AeroTuner is a simple app with the single purpose of giving you some aero glass options in Windows 7 without risking the stability of the system. And this is exactly what it does.

It does not reach the standards of plenty of users, but tweaked carefully it can help you give your Windows a slightly different look.


Review image   
Review image

user interface 5
features 3
ease of use 5
pricing / value 4


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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