Similar to previous versions, Windows 11 includes visual effects that make its taskbar, menu, and other activity areas transparent and translucent. Transparency effects also change some window backgrounds and surfaces to appear slightly transparent including context menus, File Explorer, Quick Settings, Settings, sign-in screen, Start menu, and more. For some users, these added features are unnecessary, and they waste resources. For others, this is a great way to improve the look and feel of Windows 11. All these visual effects features, new and old, make Windows 11 desktop look great, but can add some performance hits by adding a slight delay to some activities and actions. Windows allows users to turn on or off transparency effects quickly.
How to turn on or off Transparency effects in Windows 11 via Windows Settings
As mentioned above, Transparency effects also change some window backgrounds and surfaces to appear slightly transparent including context menus, File Explorer, Quick Settings, Settings, sign-in screen, Start menu, and more. Here’s how to enable or disable it in Windows 11 via the Settings app. Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from its System Settings pane. To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings as shown in the image below: When the Settings app opens, select the Accessibility button on the left. On the right, select the Visual effects tile to expand. On the Accessibility -> Visual effects settings pane, select the Transparency effects tile. On the Accessibility -> Visual effects -> Transparency effects settings, toggle the button to the On position to enable. To disable it, simply toggle the button back to the Off position.
How to turn on or off transparency effects in Windows 11 via the Registry Editor
Another way one can enable or disable the Transparency effects is via the Windows Registry Editor. To do that, first, open the Windows Registry, and navigate to the folder key path as listed below. If you don’t see the Personalize folder key, right-click on the Themes key, then create the subkey (Personalize) folders. On the right pane of the Personalize folder key, right-click and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type a new key named EnableTransparency. Double-click the new value name (EnableTransparency) and enter the Value data as 1 to turn on Transparency effects in Windows 11. A Value data of 0 will turn off Transparency effects in Windows 11. That should do it! Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/design/signature-experiences/materials Conclusion: This post showed you how to turn off or on Transparency effects in Windows 11. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.
