Translucent effects have been featured in many generations of operating systems. Today, the so-called Liquid Glass effect is once again at the center of the digital debate. Outside of Apple, Windows usuarios They are looking for ways to recover the magic that brings back memories of the famous Aero Glass of Windows Vista and 7.
What is the so-called "Liquid Glass effect" really all about? Why is it so popular? Can the same effect be achieved in Windows 11 even though it's no longer officially part of the system? We'll cover everything in the following paragraphs.
The Return of Glass: What is the Liquid Glass Effect?
The concept of Liquid Glass has resurfaced thanks to Apple's presentation during WWDC 2025. A revamped design language for all of its operating systems was showcased there. This new interface, dubbed Liquid glass, introduces a translucent, realistic look reminiscent of how glass effects were applied in previous versions of other systems, such as Windows Vista or 7.
The key to the Liquid Glass effect lies in the transparency and the simulation of a liquid crystal surface. Beyond a translucent interface, The visual elements act as a real lens, gently filtering and distorting what's behind it. This treatment enhances the visual experience and provides a sense of depth and lightness.
The inspiration, according to Apple officials, comes directly from visionOS, its mixed reality-oriented system, in which the integration of the digital and the real takes precedence over all other aspects.
Technical details: How does Liquid Glass work?
Every element in Apple's new Liquid Glass interface stands out for its its translucent nature and dynamic behavior. For instance, drop-down menus and buttons show the background, but no not flat, but as if they were actually made of a liquid crystal that modifies and softens the underlying content. A very thoughtful example is the time digits on the iPhone screen: these vary in tone slightly depending on the background, as if the glass were shading the light and colors as it passes through.
The effect is also intended to adapt to both light mode and dark mode, always maintaining naturalness and visual cleanliness. Apple has emphasized that the interface is now more spacious, more polished, and has a refreshed feel. The automatic resizing of the clock based on the chosen background is a testament to the care put into this setting.
But why is this glass design trending again in 2025? Nostalgia plays a key role in the renewed interest in these graphic effects. Many users fondly remember the era of Windows Vista and 7, when Aero Glass marked a turning point in Microsoft's interface. This translucent effect brought modernity and gave Windows a unique aesthetic.
Although Acrylic and Mica effects have taken the place of the old Aero in recent versions of Windows, The arrival of Liquid Glass to the Apple family has made the use of translucent glass fashionable again, which are now associated with advanced design and cutting-edge technology.
Restore the Liquid Glass (Aero Glass) effect in Windows 11 with DWMBlurGlass
Officially, Windows 11 no longer includes the original Aero Glass feature, which has been replaced by other, less flashy effects like Mica and Acrylic. However, The developer community has found an ingenious solution for nostalgic and design enthusiasts.: an open source tool called DWMBlurGlass, available on GitHub thanks to the work of developer Maplespe since January 2024.
This little program gets apply an Aero Glass-like blur effect to areas such as the title bar or background of classic applications. To do this, it uses reverse engineering techniques on Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) calls. This makes it possible to simulate the appearance of Liquid Glass on macOS 26 or iOS 26 in a modern Windows environment, while maintaining the original look and feel as much as possible without relying on aggressive patches or dangerous hacks.
Step-by-step guide to activating DWMBlurGlass in Windows 11
If you want to try the Liquid Glass effect on your Windows 11 PC, it is important to remember that this process involves the use of unofficial software. That is to say, there will always be some risk of incompatibility. We recommend making backups before making any major changes to your system.
- Download DWMBlurGlass from the official repository GitHub. Please note that since this is an open-source app, it is generally safe to use, but it may not work equally well on all versions of Windows.
- Extract the ZIP file and copy the folder wherever you prefer, for example in Program Files to maintain order.
- Access the Release folder and run the file DWMBlurGlassIt's important that you do this as an administrator to avoid permission issues.
- When the app opens, tap 'Install'. If the effect is not applied or an error appears, go to the tab symbol and click Download to download the necessary symbols from Microsoft servers.
- On the Advanced tab, choose the blur method: The most faithful option to Aero Glass is CustomBlur, which includes both the blur effect and the classic glass effect.
- Select the Aero effect if you prefer more personalized control, Ideal for those who want to emulate the Windows Vista style.
- Save your changes and watch the new effect in action. If you don't see any results, check that the symbols are correctly downloaded (marked with a green check mark).
The applied effect especially affects legacy or classic applications like File Explorer, Paint, Control Panel, Notepad, and others, while more modern apps, like the Microsoft Store or Calculator, typically retain the Mica effect. The result is a much more visually appealing interface, especially if you use dark mode.
Also It's worth remembering that forcing the use of Aero Glass in Windows 11 can cause some visual inconsistencies. That's because the system isn't natively designed for that purpose.
What are the differences between Liquid Glass and other Windows 11 effects?
In recent versions of Windows, Microsoft has prioritized two main visual effects:
- Mica: It is characterized by giving applications a semi-transparent appearance, but without the level of depth, distortion and realism provided by Aero Glass (or Liquid Glass).
- Acrylic: generates a more basic blur, seeking a smooth transition between backgrounds and elements, but without achieving the visual richness of its predecessors.
Liquid Glass and Aero Glass transform the way we see windows and menus, making that really look like sheets of glass floating on the background. These details, although subtle, change the perception of the system. At the same time, they provide a sense of modernity and lightness that many users appreciate, especially in productivity and design contexts.
Translucent interfaces, such as Liquid Glass, transform the way we interact with the operating system. Beyond aesthetics, they create a sense of continuity and cohesion. They can also help reduce eye strain by softening the edges between elements. These trends demonstrate that design is not a mere add-on, but an essential component of overall usability and user satisfaction.
The future points to a total fusion between functionality and visual beauty, where the user can choose the finish that best suits their way of working and their stylistic preferences.