Windows Aero theme behaving weird?

Question

So it all began today when I started up the computer.

The Windows 7 Aero theme is behaving really weird. All the window-borders are gone, and the shadows are really weird as well. The semi-transparent border is still there, but the small black border around that is gone too.

The minimize/maximize/close buttons are not good either.

Actually, just look at this image and you'll see:

If I set the theme to Windows Classic and then switch back to Aero it looks fine again, but it switches back to this weird look after a while by itself.

Any ideas what might be wrong?

Answer 1

I think your computer is using high amount of graphic memory/processing, heavy enough to reduce available resources to Aero.

In such situation Windows ideally turns off Aero automatically.

Check if any process is taking exceptionally high memory than required in the Task Manager. Identify the application for that process, try turning that application off and see if the problem persist.

Answer 2

There is a built in Aero troubleshooter, try that.

Click Start, type aero in the Start Search box, and then click "Find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects"

A wizard window opens. Click Advanced if you want the problem fixed automatically, and then click Next to continue.

If the problem is automatically fixed, the window borders are translucent.

If the problem is not fixed or if you want to see the details, click View detailed information to see a report.

Source of Information

. Or if you are basically lazy, use the Microsoft FIXIT utility

.