Sign up for a new account or log in here:
Home › News › Weekend Open Forum
WOF: Windows 8 ditches Aero Glass -- will you miss it?
In a lengthy blog post, Microsoft has explained some of the logic behind Windows 8's interface. Much of the article discusses Metro, but a sizable chunk focuses on the desktop environment, including some significant changes that haven't been revealed in the Consumer Preview yet. Most notably, Microsoft says it's scrapping Aero Glass, the glossy, transparent border introduced with Vista, in favor of a flatter style that's less distracting:
"In the end, we decided to bring the desktop closer to the Metro aesthetic, while preserving the compatibility afforded by not changing the size of window chrome, controls, or system UI. We have moved beyond Aero Glass -- flattening surfaces, removing reflections, and scaling back distracting gradients...We want desktop windows to continue to feel light and airy, and we want a chrome style that doesn't distract from the content of the app."
Although I hope there's still a way to customize colors (the white default is too bright for my taste), I don't think I'll miss Glass at all. The transparency has distracted or otherwise misled me many times. A new track might play on Foobar or my desktop background might change and I mistake the activity for a new email or instant message. What say you? Is Aero Glass a tacky remnant or a reassuring familiarity of Windows Vista and 7?
User Comments: 104
Got something to say? Post a comment-
I run Aero with glass enabled on all 5 of my systems (including my DELL Mini 1012) which have Vista Business SP2 installed. I have no issues whatsoever with Vista which I vLited to remove unwanted junk. I'll be running Vista Business until its end of life in 2017 and will then look to see what MS is offering around that time.
I see so many people basing Vista that it's ridiculous. If you know how to properly install and maintain your operating system plus have GOOD hardware you will have minimal or no issues.
-
Typo correction... basing = bashing.
-
Total baloney, previous guest. Vista is poor, that's why so many people baste it.
-
I've converted a couple of notebooks at this point, an older Lenovo and a HP Touchsmart. I already miss aero. Can really explain why, but aero looks so good compared to the flat colors in Windows 8. I will not be upgrading my key computers because of this (and various other reasons)!
Most Popular
| Trending | Featured |
-
Building a Thin Mini-ITX PC: Small and Silent Performance
-
'Supercapacitor' could fully charge your phone in less than 30 seconds
-
Microsoft launches YouTube app, Google demands it taken down
-
Bill Gates is once again the richest person in the world
-
Nvidia Shield arrives in June for $349, pre-orders open now (update)
Featured on Keyboards
Subscribe to TechSpot
Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and breaking tech news.