How To Enable Aero Effect On Windows Server 2008 (Both x86 & x64)

Beginners who install Windows Server 2008 (including both 32 bit and 64 bit versions), find it stripped of the graphical elegance due to the absence of the Aero effect. In this post I will tell you how to enable WindowsAero effect on Windows Server 2008.

Go to Start Menu-> Administrative Tools-> Server Manager.

Click on Features in Server Management and select Add Features from the right hand side menu.

Select Desktop Enhancement and click Next.

This will install Desktop Enhancement feature and prompt for a system restart for the changes to take effect.

This will install the selected update on Windows  Server 2008.

Once the system reboots, go to Start Menu –> Administrative Tools –> Services.

Right click on Themes and choose properties. The Themes are disabled by default, you will require enabling this service.

From properties, select Automatic and click OK.

Right click on Themes again and select Start. this will allow you to enable the Aero Effect  on Windows Server 2008.

Right click on the desktop and choose Personalization and choose Windows 7 theme with the glass effect (from top).

This will enable the stylish Aero Glass effect on Your Windows Server 2008. The same procedure can be used for activating Aero on the x86 (32 bit) version of Windows Server 2008 x86 however, unlike R2, it will provide the Vista style look. Whereas, the x64 (64 bit) Windows Server 2008 R2 will have theWindows 7 style Aero look.

  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64) with Aero Effect
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (x86) with Aero Effect