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I have two cmd scrips that allow me to toggle my PC between "performance" and "quiet" modes, killing or relaunching some apps, switching power plans and so on.

I would like to make them also switch between visual effects settings, namely "Adjust for best performance" "Let Windows choose". I tried REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VisualEffects /v VisualFXSetting /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f and REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VisualEffects /v VisualFXSetting /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f, however the only thing, registry editing is achieving is changing the option picked in the setting GUI. Even the "Apply" button stays disabled. I tried logging off and even that doesn't apply the changes.

Is there a way to change the visual effects from a cmd script with a change being applied immediately? Something like powercfg.exe /setactive, but for the SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe? Maybe a small program, somebody designed specifically for that?

HAWPIZNOTWORKman
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1 Answers1

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There are two registry changes required for changing the visual effects options, followed by logout or restart.

VisualFXSetting

This DWORD item is found at key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VisualEffects and its values are:

  • 0 (zero) for Let Windows choose what's best for my computer settings
  • 1 for Adjust for best appearance settings
  • 2 for Adjust for best Performance settings
  • 3 for Custom settings, if the user changed individual visual effect settings.

UserPreferencesMask

This DWORD item is found at key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop and can have the following values:

  • Let Windows choose what's best for my computer : 9E 1E 07 80 12 00 00 00
  • Adjust for best appearance : 9E 3E 07 80 12 00 00 00
  • Adjust for best Performance : 9E 12 03 80 10 00 00 00
  • Custom : The binary value of 1001ABC0 00D1EF10 00000G11 in the first 3 bytes

Each of the above letters ABCDEFG has the value 0=off and 1=on, as follows:

  • A : Smooth-scroll list boxes
  • B : Slide open combo boxes
  • C : Fade or slide menus into view
  • D : Show shadows under mouse pointer
  • E : Fade or slide ToolTips into view
  • F : Fade out menu items after clicking
  • G : Show shadows under windows

References :

harrymc
  • 498,455