Understanding ForceDWM Window Borders in Windows 10

Understanding Force DWM Window Borders in Windows 10

Windows 10 introduced a new window border type managed by the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) instead of the previous component that rendered them. Although DWM has been present since Windows Vista, the new border type has brought some changes to the way window borders are rendered in Windows 10.

What is DWM?

DWM is a window manager component in Windows operating systems that provides visual effects, such as transparent windows, live thumbnails, and Flip3D. It also handles the composition of the desktop, which involves drawing all the windows on the screen and managing their layering.

Force DWM Window Borders

The new window border type in Windows 10 is managed by DWM and is sometimes referred to as "Force DWM Window Borders." These borders are different from the classic window borders that were used in previous versions of Windows. The new borders are more efficient and provide better performance, especially on systems with multiple monitors.

How are Force DWM Window Borders Different?

The classic window borders in previous versions of Windows were rendered by the window itself, while the new Force DWM Window Borders are rendered by the DWM. This means that the DWM is responsible for drawing the borders, which provides better performance and reduces the load on the system.

Benefits of Force DWM Window Borders

The new Force DWM Window Borders provide several benefits over the classic window borders. They are more efficient, which means that they use less system resources and provide better performance.

Another benefit of the new window borders is that they are more consistent across different applications. This means that the borders will look the same in all applications, which provides a more uniform and polished look to the desktop.

How to Enable Force DWM Window Borders

Force DWM Window Borders are enabled by default in Windows 10. However, if you have disabled them for some reason, you can enable them again by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select System.
2. Click on Advanced system settings.
3. Click on the Settings button under Performance.
4. Check the box next to "Use desktop composition."
5. Click OK to save the changes.

Force DWM Window Borders are a new feature in Windows 10 that provides better performance and a more consistent look to the desktop. They are managed by the DWM and are different from the classic window borders used in previous versions of Windows. To enable Force DWM Window Borders, you need to enable desktop composition in the Performance Options settings.

References

• Microsoft. (2021). Desktop Window Manager. Retrieved from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/dwm/dwm-overview
• Microsoft. (2021). Use desktop composition to enhance visual effects. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/use-desktop-composition-to-enhance-visual-effects-142bdc97-31b5-844a-625d-272533eb90d8