Transparent Vista Start Menu???

T

technomann

New Member
Is the Start Menu in Vista Premium 64-bit supposed to be transparent? If so, mine is not, and I would prefer that it was. Is there some tweak that I am missing? I am running the Aero Glass desktop, but my Start Menu is still opaque. I have tried a dozen 3rd party programs, to no avail. WindowBlinds from Stardock wreaks havoc on my desktop settings. Does anyone have a clue as to how to make and desktop (and perhaps the right-click context menu) transparent?

Thanks for any and all assistance!
 

My Computer

System One

are you talking about the taskbar or the start menu? the taskbar should be see through if you have aero enabled. run the windows experience index and make sure it's allowing aero to be used.

my start menu isn't see through..but i also have it set to classic. my right click context menus are also not see thru.
 

My Computer

System One

I use Vista 32-bit with Aero and all (I don't think there's a difference as far as interface goes) and I don't have a transparent start bar, and the start menu is only very slightly transparent along the right side (I have transparency enabled, and the color intensity is very low, i.e. the transparency is very high).
Start menu before.jpg
But...

If you're talking about 3rd party apps, I use a nifty little program called AutoHotkey. It's got loads of functionality, transparency just one of the many (I have a shortcut set, I just made my entire start bar and the whole start menu transparent in one key press, each separately).
Start menu after.jpg
The thing is, it can be slightly advanced (writing scripts). But there are loads of ready made scripts out there, and they can even be compiled to exe's. It might be a little overkill for what you're looking for, but if you're interested, you can look into it, or ask/message me for suggestions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP dv5-1120ej Notebook PC
    CPU
    Intel Dual 2.16GHz
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9200M GS, 256MB
    Hard Drives
    320GB internal, 320GB external, 1TB external to come (big download library XD)
    Internet Speed
    Fast enough
    Other Info
    Firefox, Foobar, and AutoHotkey! Go open source!
technomann said:
Is the Start Menu in Vista Premium 64-bit supposed to be transparent? If so, mine is not, and I would prefer that it was. Is there some tweak that I am missing? I am running the Aero Glass desktop, but my Start Menu is still opaque. I have tried a dozen 3rd party programs, to no avail. WindowBlinds from Stardock wreaks havoc on my desktop settings. Does anyone have a clue as to how to make and desktop (and perhaps the right-click context menu) transparent?

Thanks for any and all assistance!
Click to expand...

Hello technomann,
You might care to refer to this Tutorial -

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/75413-aero-glass-transparency.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    LAPTOP. HP Pavilion dv7-1005TX .
    CPU
    IntelCore [email protected] x2
    Memory
    4.00 GB installed, max capacity 8 GB.
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT & 512MB DDR2 dedicated graphics mem.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.0" diagonal WXGA + High definition brightview widescreen infinity display.
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    SPECS. Drive 1. 298.09 GB Fujitzu MHZ2320BH G2 ATA Device Drive 2. [ All as above.] CONFIG. C:\287.65 GB, D:\298.09 GB, E:\10.44 GB.
    Case
    Laptop / notebook.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Mouse
    Synaptics PS/2 Port touch pad.
    Keyboard
    IBM enhanced
    Internet Speed
    ADSL [ Too slow.]
    Other Info
    Webcam.
If you're talking about 3rd party apps, I use a nifty little program called AutoHotkey. It's got loads of functionality, transparency just one of the many (I have a shortcut set, I just made my entire start bar and the whole start menu transparent in one key press, each separately).
View attachment 14982
The thing is, it can be slightly advanced (writing scripts). But there are loads of ready made scripts out there, and they can even be compiled to exe's. It might be a little overkill for what you're looking for, but if you're interested, you can look into it, or ask/message me for suggestions.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for this! What a cool little program. I tried it out and ran a custom script for transparency. It made all of my right-click context menus transparent, which was cool, but the Start Menu itself was unfortunately unaffected. Perhaps I haven't configured it correctly? I am using the Classic Start Menu with lots of custom folders up top.

Thanks again!
 

My Computer

System One

When you have a program maximized it will be solid. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec) 7200 rpm Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
As someone else said, when you have a window maximized, the start bar will in fact be opaque, but as long as you haven't got a window maximized, it will be transparent, albeit rather subtle.
desktopmaximized.png
desktopminimized.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Me/Myself
    CPU
    AMD Athlonx2 7850 Kuma
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte MA770-UD3
    Memory
    2gb PQI Turbo DDR2 800
    Graphics card(s)
    Saphire (ATI) 3870
    Sound Card
    Onboard HD audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns-G 19" WS LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    WD 250gb SATA
    PSU
    Apevia 500w
    Case
    Antec 300
    Cooling
    120mm Fan x 4; 140mm Fan x 1; ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Media Edition
    Internet Speed
    >12mbit down; >2mbit up
hi

any chance for Vista Home Basic users to make the taskbar and start Menu Transparent?
VaguelyRapt , your screeshots seems that you have a solution for it but when I checked Autohotkey it need to be very familiar with the script. Can you advice any solutions?

thanks
 

My Computer

System One

You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top