Vista - Flip 3D - Enable or Disable

Information

This will enable or disable the use of the Flip 3D feature. This can be helpful if you want to disable the shortcut keys for this. Flip 3D is enabled by default. Flip 3D is called Switch between windows in Quick Launch.

NOTE

If you have just lost the Switch between windows (Flip 3D) shortcut icon in Quick Launch and Flip 3D still works by the keyboard shortcut, then see: How to Use and Create a Flip 3D Shortcut in Vista

WARNING

You must have the Windows Aero color scheme turned on for the Glass Transparency, Taskbar Thumbnail Previews, and Flip 3D features. See: How to Change the Color Scheme in Vista HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR: WINDOWS AERO See: Windows Help and Support: Troubleshoot problems with Windows Aero NOTE: The Windows Aero color scheme is not available for the Vista Home Basic version. 1 GHz 32 bit or 64 bit CPU processor. The computer needs at least 1 GB of RAM. A graphics card with support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB of memory. The graphics card must support Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware. The graphics card driver must support Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM) The computer display color depth must be set to 32 bits per pixel.

Tip

Keyboard Shortcut Keys NOTE: Press the shortcut key combinations in bold below to activate Flip 3D, and follow the directions next to them for how to use it. Windows Key + Tab = Press and hold Windows Key, then press Tab (Or roll mouse scroll wheel) to scroll through the open windows. Choose the open window you want by releasing the Windows Key when it is up front. Ctrl + Windows Key + Tab = Scroll through the open windows by pressing the Tab key, arrow keys, or roll the mouse scroll wheel. Click on the window you want to see, or press Enter when it is up front. Quick Launch Shortcut NOTE: It is called Switch between windows in Quick Lauch. Use the Tab or Arrow keys to scroll through the open windows, then press Enter to select the window in the front.

• How to Change the Color Scheme in Vista
• How to Use Quick Launch in Vista
• How to Disable and Enable Windows Hotkeys in Vista
• How to Use and Create a Flip 3D Shortcut in Vista
• How to Add Flip 3D to the Context Menu in Vista
• How to Change the Color Bit Depth Settings in Vista

NOTE

This method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for the Vista Home Premium edition.

WARNING

This is applied to all user accounts on the computer.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. In the left pane, click on Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Desktop Window Manager. (See screenshot below)

3. In the right pane, right click on Do not allow Flip3D invocation and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Flip 3D -

A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable Flip 3D -

A) Select (dot) Enabled and click on OK.

6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

7. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply.

NOTE

This will work for all Vista versions except for the Home Basic version.

Through a Download:

1. To Disable All User Accounts Flip 3D -

A) Click on the download button below to download the Disable_All_Flip3D.reg file.

B) Go to step 4.

2. To Disable Only Current User Account Flip 3D -

A) Click on the download button below to download the Disable_Current_Only.reg file.

B) Go to step 4.

3. To Enable All User Accounts Flip 3D -

A) Click on the download button below to download the Enable_All_Flip3D.reg file.

4. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

5. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.

6. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.

7. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).

9. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

The Manual Way:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

4. For All User Accounts -

A) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5B)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DWM
NOTE: If you do not have DWM, then right click on Windows and click on New and Key. Type DWM and press Enter.

5. To Disable Flip 3D -

A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit)
Value and type DisallowFlip3d and press Enter.

B) Right click on DisallowFlip3d and click on Modify.

C) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

D) Go to step 8.

6. To Enable Flip 3D -

A) In the right pane, right click on DisallowFlip3d and click on Delete. (See screenshot below step 5B)

B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.

C) Go to step 8.

7. For the Current User Acount Only -

A) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DWM
NOTE: If you do not have DWM, then right click on Windows and click on New and Key. Type DWM and press Enter.

B) Repeat step 5 or 6.

8. Close Regedit.

9. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.