Shadows behind the Windows - in Vista

Where are they - how can I control them?

from WinCustomize Forums
Hi all !
I used to have some well defined shadows behind my windows as I use Windowblinds in Vista.
Now the shadows are gone.  

Not sure where they are controlled from? I am still finding my way around Vista and there is SOO much functionality from Stardock (I am an Object Dock subscriber) that I don't know where to start looking.)

Shadow control was last spotted in Windows FX - which I ran in Vista: Suffice to say it is NOT compatible.... This may be when the shadows went missing.

Any advice appreciated.

Cordelia
20,308 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1. Right click your desktop and go to "Personalize".
2. Click on Window Color and Appearance. In this window you'll find "Open classic appearance properties for more color options" at the bottom, click on this link.
3. A new small window appears "Appearance Settings". On the bottom right hand side there's two buttons: Effects and Advanced, click "Effects".
4. In "Effects" make sure "shadow under menus" is selected.

Also, make sure that you have "show shadows under menus" selected in Visual Effects under Performance options.

1. Right click "computer" (Start Panel or desktop icon) and proceed to properties.
2. On the left control panel pane, click "advanced system settings".
3. Advanced Tab, click "settings" under Performance.
4. Select "show shadows under menu".

Hope this works for you.
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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi Miki - thanks for the tips :-)
I checked the settings that you list; but the problem remain.
I imagine one of the stardock products must have the wrong settings somewhere. I'll go through all of them to look for shadows.

If you have any further tips, please let me know - I really wouldn't have been able to find the Vista settings without your help. Thank you so much!
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi again -
I really can't get any depth in shadow out of Vista.
I am not sure if the shadow is so subtle that it is barely noticeable.
Or if I have mucked around so much with the Stardock products that I broke it.

Nevertheless, the only way I can see a decent shadow is when i load WindowFX.
However this is not Vista compatible and it seems that it doesn't load at startup!

Any tips how I can get permanent window shadows back?

Regards
Cordelia
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Some skins may not have shadows...and you maybe running the non perpixel frames which never have shadows unless you use WinFX.(check WBconfig in the system info tab and uncheck never use perpixel frames)