Enabling the Aero Effect in Windows Server 2008 R2

Question

I am using Windows Server 2008 R2 as a workstation and would like to enable Aero Glass to develop some programs. Is there a way to enable Aero Glass on the server?

Thanks in advance,

Niear

Answer 1

According to this article on how to Convert Windows Server 2008 R2 to a workstation:

• Launch Server Manager and click under the Feature Overview category in Add Features .
• In the Add Wizard Features window, check Computer Experience , and also accept the request to install Ink and Handwriting services . Then click "Next."
• Review the installation options and click Install to begin installing the selected features.
• When installation is complete, click the Close button and click Yes when asked if you want to restart the computer.
• After the computer restarts, browse and close the "Installation Results" window and go to "Administrative Tools" on the "Start" menu and select Services .
• Double-click the service with the name Themes, set the Startup Type to Automatic, and click Apply. Once the Startup Type is set to Automatic, click Start to start the Themes service, after which you can close the service manager.
• Download theme.zip (38.5MB) via Mirrorcreator , extract it and run install (.cmd) to install Windows 7 Themes by default. This step is optional since you can also download themes from Microsoft - Windows 7 - Personalize your PC
• Right-click on a blank point on the desktop and select "Personalize." In the "Personalization" window, click on a theme or get a nice theme through the "Get More Themes" link. If you installed drivers for your video card, now you will have transparent windows and you can use 3D Flip ( Windowskey + Tab )!

Answer 2

In addition to the current answer, here is a guide with some alternative formatting and pictures (although the steps mostly remain the same. Adapted from Enable Aero Desktop Experience in Windows Server 2008 R2

First, installing the desktop on Windows Server 2008 R2 :

• Click Start> Control Panel> Programs and Features> Turn Windows Features On or Off.
• In the Features Summary section, click Add Features.
  • 
• Check the "Desktop Experience" box.
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    Enter additional functions if necessary
• Click Install, you may have to restart your Windows computer.

Next, enable the theme service :

• Click Start> Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Services.
• Click Themes.
  • 
• In the Startup Type list, select "Automatic" and click "Apply."
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• In the "Service Status" section, click "Start" and then "OK."

Finally, choose the Aero theme :

• Right-click on the desktop and select "Personalize."
• Click Themes.
• In the Aero Themes section, select the Aero theme.
  •