Aero in Windows 8: 6 Features You Can Still Use

Window Animations

The visual effects associated with window actions, originally introduced with Aero, remain functional in this operating system. Specifically, the animations triggered during window opening, closing, minimizing, and restoring operate identically to their behavior in Windows 7.

These animations contribute to the user experience by providing visual feedback during common desktop interactions.

Aero Peek Functionality

The Aero Peek capability, enabling the temporary hiding of windows, remains available. Activation of Aero Peek is achieved by moving your mouse pointer over a taskbar icon representing an open window, or by utilizing the Alt-Tab key combination to cycle through windows.

When Aero Peek is engaged, the selected window is brought into focus, while all others become partially transparent. While the visual appearance of window borders has been subtly altered – appearing less glossy – the core functionality remains unchanged.

Desktop Preview with Peek

Furthermore, a preview of the desktop can be accessed by hovering the mouse cursor over the "Show Desktop" button located in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar.

Should this feature not function as expected, access the taskbar's Properties menu via a right-click. Ensure that the "Use Peek to preview the desktop" option is selected. It’s important to note that this function is now designated as "Peek" rather than "Aero Peek," as was the case in Windows 7.

Aero Snap

The Aero Snap functionality remains consistent with its implementation in Windows 7. Users can efficiently resize windows by dragging their edges to either the left or right side of the display and releasing the mouse button.

This action instantly adjusts the window to occupy half of the screen's available space. Alternatively, the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Left Arrow or Windows Key + Right Arrow can be employed to achieve the same result.

These shortcuts provide a rapid method for snapping windows to the left or right portions of the screen, enhancing multitasking capabilities.

Aero Snap offers a streamlined approach to window management, improving user productivity.

The feature allows for quick and easy arrangement of multiple applications on the desktop.

It’s a valuable tool for those who frequently work with several windows simultaneously.

Dynamic Taskbar Previews

The functionality of live taskbar thumbnails, initially introduced with Aero, remains a feature. Hovering the mouse cursor over an icon in the taskbar reveals previews of all currently open windows associated with that application.

These previews are not merely static images; they dynamically reflect the content of the windows in real-time. For instance, video playback will be visible within the thumbnail preview.

Real-Time Window Representation

Furthermore, if a game is running, the game's action will continue to be displayed within the taskbar preview. This allows for a quick visual check of application status without needing to activate the window.

This feature provides a convenient way to monitor and manage open applications directly from the taskbar, enhancing user workflow and efficiency.

Aero Shake Functionality

A feature known as Aero Shake, while not widely publicized, remains a functional element within the operating system. Activation of Aero Shake is achieved by firmly grasping a window's title bar with the mouse cursor.

Subsequently, move the window in a shaking motion across the display. This action will trigger the automatic minimization of all currently open windows.

To restore the minimized windows, simply repeat the shaking gesture with the same window. The previously minimized windows will then revert to their original, displayed positions.

The Removal of Flip 3D

The Flip 3D functionality, initially available in Windows Vista, is no longer present in subsequent versions. This feature provided an Alt-Tab-style window switching experience.

Activation involved simultaneously pressing the Windows key and the Tab key. Upon activation, users could navigate through larger previews of open windows, effectively “flipping” between them to make a selection.

Changes in Windows 8

With the release of Windows 8, Microsoft reassigned the Windows Key+Tab key combination. It now launches a new switcher designed for navigating between Modern Windows 8 applications.

The conventional Alt+Tab switcher remains functional, supporting both traditional desktop applications and the newer Modern-style apps.

This change represents a shift in Microsoft’s approach to window management, prioritizing the Modern UI experience.

The Discontinuation of Aero Glass

The Aero Glass feature, characterized by its transparent and glass-like window borders, is no longer available. It hasn't merely been disabled by default; the underlying code responsible for the blur effect essential to Aero Glass’s functionality has been entirely removed by Microsoft.

Currently, Windows desktops display window borders with solid colors, replacing the previously transparent aesthetic. This change represents Microsoft’s declaration of Aero’s removal. Notably, the taskbar retains a degree of transparency.

While it is possible to re-enable transparent window borders to mimic the Aero Glass effect, the results are suboptimal. The absence of the blur feature results in fully transparent borders, potentially causing visual distraction. Graphical glitches may also occur, indicating Microsoft’s discouragement of this practice.

Fortunately, Aero hasn’t been completely eliminated from Windows 8. Microsoft has refrained from reverting to the visual style of Windows XP, preserving hardware acceleration and 3D effects. However, Aero Glass, a defining characteristic of Aero, has been discontinued.

This change may be disappointing for users who favored Aero Glass. Conversely, those concerned about the removal of hardware acceleration and other Aero features can find reassurance in their continued availability.