Many users fell in love with Windows 7 because of the somewhat unusual design of the system interface, in which visualization was first applied based on a combination of translucent elements in one style, called the Aero theme. However, the new interface had two mutually exclusive moments that concerned computer configurations that only minimally corresponded to the requirements of the OS itself. Many users have a vague idea of how to configure visual effects in Windows 7, because they prefer to use standard schemes. Meanwhile, such actions are not always relevant.
Interface design and its impact on resource loading
But what are these two mutually exclusive factors, which were mentioned in passing above? Yes, indeed, the new interface at the time of the release of the Seven was very unusual, because before Microsoft had not been particularly concerned with decorating the appearance of its systems (for the first time this appeared only in the XP version). But the use of such visualization nullified all attempts to make the system work normally on those terminals whose configuration corresponded to the minimum stated requirements end-to-end. Absolutely all the default Aero-theme effects loaded system resources too high, which directly reflected on the RAM and graphics adapter. Roughly speaking, there were simply no resources left to execute additional system and user processes, which very often led to a system crash, emergency shutdown of installed programs, etc.
Thus, the visual effects settings in Windows 7 had to be changed.
Everything would be fine, but among the standard schemes when using personalization, and when using additional tools, it is not possible to turn around especially (you can only change the transparency or saturation). Let's try to consider the installation of optimal parameters, which will help the owners of the “seven” not to spoil the appearance, and optimize the system in terms of its speed.
How to set up visual effects in Windows 7: standard templates
If we talk about the standard configuration of the appearance of the interface elements, by and large, you should not use personalization parameters for this. Anyway, when changing the theme or choosing color options, getting rid of those effects that most strongly affect RAM and the video card will fail. The main configuration must be performed in a special section of performance.
To access it, you need to use the system properties item from the PCM menu on the computer icon, and then go to additional parameters.
Here, you can use three main points as applied templates for quick customization of visual effects in Windows 7:
- providing the best view;
- setting optimal performance;
- restore default settings.
The first option is suitable mainly only for those computers that are initially equipped with sufficiently large amounts of RAM and powerful graphics cards.
Windows 7 Visual Effects: Maximize Performance
The second option is suitable for weak machines, however, when setting up such a scheme in which absolutely all effects will be disabled, you can get the appearance of the interface a la Windows 98, which many users do not like.
Yes, indeed, it is possible to optimize the system in this way, however, even when working with text, serious problems can occur when it will be displayed on the screen in an unreadable form due to disabling font smoothing. In principle, this template can only be used in cases where you want to squeeze the maximum out of a weak configuration.
User settings
But after all, many noticed that in the settings for visual effects in Windows 7 there is another item that allows you to enable or disable certain options selectively. What can be turned off so that the appearance does not suffer, and the system works as expected?
Most specialists who are optimizing Windows 7 recommends deactivating the following options, the use of which is visually not particularly noticeable, but which just load the computer resources as much as possible (and unnecessarily):
- composition of the "desktop";
- Peek Aero Element
- transparency effects;
- all components related to the animation of windows, buttons, lists, and menus;
- smooth scrolling of lists;
- shadows cast by interface elements;
- styles of buttons and icons;
- showing thumbnails and a transparent selection rectangle.
But smoothing screen fonts, despite the recommendations of some users, is better left. This is especially necessary for those users who work a lot with texts or have vision problems.
Is it advisable to use third-party programs?
Now briefly dwell on how to enable visual effects in Windows 7 or deactivate them as unnecessary using third-party applications that allow you to optimize the system in order to install, if not maximum, then at least increased performance without much change in the appearance system.
In this case, you can use either optimizer programs (Advanced SystemCare, Windows 7 Manager), in which there are several more options and standard templates available for changing, or completely change the appearance of the interface due to narrowly targeted programs like WindowsBlind or change the theme to a downloaded one from the Internet.
The first type of software looks preferable, since it is aimed specifically at increasing productivity by disabling unnecessary effects. But the second type of programs, although it changes the “face” of Windows, nevertheless contributes to an increase in the load on resources, since they usually function exclusively in the background and start with the system. The only plus in their application is the ability to completely deactivate the built-in effects of the OS with a complete replacement for their own. It is difficult to judge how necessary this is.
But it is clear that such embellishments, for example, with the transformation of the Windows interface into the appearance of "apple" systems, can only be indulged in powerful PCs and laptops.
Epilogue
Of course, this is only brief information on setting up the visual effects used in Windows 7. It is best to experiment with these parameters yourself, turning on or off an element one by one and checking how the system reacts to it. Ultimately, it will be possible to achieve that it will be convenient to work with the interface, and resources will be freed up a bit.