How do I make the Sidebar background transparent in Vista?

[justlnluck]

Hey guys,

I would like to change the Sidebar background from the default shadow gradient to completely transparent so only the gadgets are visible. Do I need to download a skin program for this? Which is the best one that uses the least resources? Thanks!

 

[Aberforth]

The sidebar is already transparent until you move the mouse over it. Windows does not have enough options to customize the sidebar however you can use this program: http://www.stoyanoff.info/blog/code/styler/ to tweak some of the settings.

 

[blackangst1]

Or you can do what I do and drag all the crap from the sidebar onto the desktop and close it altogether Of course this wont work if you autohide it, but...

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: blackangst1
Or you can do what I do and drag all the crap from the sidebar onto the desktop and close it altogether .

Amen.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: blackangst1
Or you can do what I do and drag all the crap from the sidebar onto the desktop and close it altogether

That is a good solution. But, I have to say that my sidebar is totally transparent by default unless I move the cursor over it, and then it can be seen faintly. This is done in order to exercise sidebar options, etc.

Loading crap onto the side bar is one of the time consuming features that slows down Vista loading.