Enabling Windows Vista Aero Feature on Virtualbox Version 6

HI THERE! IF YOU WANT AN EASIER METHOD PLEASE GO TO UPDATE SECTION BELOW. THANK YOU!


Although Windows Vista is very popular among PC user because of its instability and driver issues, I have to admit that the Windows Vista's Aero feature is stunning. With this feature, the appearance of window border and taskbar are gorgeous. That glass effect is one of the best Microsoft Windows' appearance. IMHO. Today, there is no new hardware that can handle Windows Vista. Even Intel has stopped to support their hardware since Intel HD 4000 series for Vista. So the only options are to find an older hardware, or using virtual PC emulator. One of virtual PC emulator that I used is Oracle VirtualBox VM. This software is open source so you can download and use it directly. But there's a problem.

Oracle VirtualBox VM has an issue with Windows Vista's digital driver signature. This issue caused the Windows Aero won't work. You may find this issue after installing the VirtualBox Guest Addition on the VM. The Guest OS seems declining the driver and recognize it as an incompatible driver although the display is still working. As the result, there is no option for Windows Aero color scheme in Window Color and Appearance settings.

The only way to get the Windows Aero working in VirtualBox version 6 is to use the Disable Driver Signature Enforcement in boot option. To do this, these steps might help you to get those glass effect back. I just find out how to do it.

Please note that the VirtualBox Guest Addition must be installed with Direct3D support option checked and the machine settings must meet the recommendations to run Windows Aero. You can find how to do it easily on search engine.

[DISCLAIMER] 
I am not a professional user of the VirtualBox Product. I just want to Share how I got Windows Vista Aero working on VirtualBox version 6 because I had faced this driver signature issue about one year ago.

Please continue :)

First, you have to turn on your VM and press the F8 key right before booting process. This procedure will lead you to the Advanced boot options. 

Second, After you see the Advanced boot options list, use the up and down key to move highlight choice and find the "Disable Driver Signature Enforcement" option.


After you selected the "Disable Driver Signature Enforcement" option, press enter key and continue boot your VM.

You may asked, if we use another method to disable driver signature beside the F8 Advanced boot option method, will it work? I've tried another method. Unfortunately, It won't work.

Once you have booted and logged in, you may found the Windows Aero color scheme in Window Color and Appearance Settings. To do this, right click on the desktop and select Personalize.


The Control Panel window will show up. Select the Window Color and Appearance setting. The classic color option will show up.


Finally, you can choose the Windows Aero color scheme.


Enjoy your glassy shiny Windows Vista on Oracle VirtualBox :)

I decided to test this on my laptops. The first one is 2020 Acer Nitro 5 with Intel Core i5 10th gen and the second one is 2016 Lenovo Ideapad 100-14 with Intel Core i3 5th gen. Both laptops are using Windows 10 2004 as Host OS. These laptops are using different versions of VirtualBox. The Acer has VirtualBox ver. 6.1.16 and the Lenovo has VirtualBox ver. 6.1.2. Have a look at the screenshots. 



That's All. I hope this would help. See ya!

Excuse me for my written English hehehehe :)


UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

I found an easier way to enable aero in Windows Vista without invoking boot option every time you turn on your PC. Thanks to many Virtualbox users who provide several solution in the forum.

First of all, Never use a multiple boot in your Windows Vista VM. I found this condition after I install Windows Vista in a VM without multiple boot configuration. 

Second, log in to Windows, and search for Command Prompt. This could be done by searching cmd.exe in the search box and Run as Administrator.

Third, make sure you run cmd.exe as admin. After that, type this command:

bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks on

After that, you can restart your VM. Check if the windows aero theme is available in the personalize menu.

If there are some problem, I don't know if I could help you. I'll try to find the answer. That's all.

See ya!

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