Quickly toggle between Aero and non-Aero themes on Windows 7

[doctorfrog]

An edge case. I run Windows 7, 64-bit, with the Blackbox for Windows shell. It works for me, and I like it, and I'll keep using it as long as I can. Blackbox doesn't look right with Aero enabled, and so I disable it most of the time. With Aero, goes VSync and sometimes graphics acceleration for things like movies and some games. That means tearing.

Right now, if I don't want that tearing, I go to the Personalization area of the Control Panel, and pick an Aero theme (Windows 7, Architecture, Characters, etc.), which makes Blackbox look crappy, but temporarily lets my full-screen application look its best. Then I flip it back when done.

I'd like a quick toggle that allows me to switch between an Aero theme and a non-Aero theme, so I can have my cake and eat it too.

How would this look? Maybe a small window with two buttons, each indicating a theme, and a config dialog. If possible, something that invisibly switches between two pre-selected themes, kills itself, and requires no additional input of any kind.

[lanux128]

I am not sure if this is what you want but have you seen this app called Winaero Theme Switcher?

[doctorfrog]

I am not sure if this is what you want but have you seen this app called Winaero Theme Switcher?

-lanux128 (May 22, 2015, 03:10 AM)

Y'know, that looks pretty near what I'm looking for. Thanks!

[Deozaan]

Another possibility is to make one theme with Aero, and save it as a custom theme. Then do the same thing with a non-Aero theme. Then you only have to click the custom themes to switch between them.

[MilesAhead]

Another possibility is to make one theme with Aero, and save it as a custom theme. Then do the same thing with a non-Aero theme. Then you only have to click the custom themes to switch between them.

-Deozaan (May 22, 2015, 03:03 PM)

+1  Just do "save theme as.." 

[doctorfrog]

Heck, that works also. Thanks folks!