This is how Windows 11 would've looked like if Microsoft had continued improving the Aero design

Microsoft’s Aero (it apparently stands for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open) design was first introduced to Windows in 2006 with the release of the Vista operating system and brought a transparent, glass-like design to the Windows interface.

In other words, Windows Vista looked modern, sleek, and translucid. The design would go on to be improved upon in Windows 7, which was released in 2009. However, with the release of Windows 8, in 2012, Microsoft left behind the transparent interface for a more solid, flatter, and geometrical look, and the Aero design became a thing of the past.

Neither Windows 10 nor Windows 11 would see the Aero design again, which left some Windows users wishing for it, and idealizing it in various mockups. One of those mockups was created by a Reddit user who imagined how Windows 11 would’ve looked like if Microsoft had continued improving the Aero design.

As you can see in the image below, Windows 11 Aero would keep the main elements of the operating system, such as a centralized taskbar, and similar Start menu design, but making it all translucid.

The user hasn’t revealed anything else, aside from the Windows 11 Desktop, but it’s not hard to imagine how the rest of the operating system would look like with the Aero design on. It is very similar to Windows 7, but it sports all the UI elements of Windows 11.

Other Reddit users would happily download this Aero theme for their Windows 11 if given the chance:

AMAZING original FA art needs more regonition. Btw I would absoloutley use windows 11 if this theme existed

Reddit user

I wish this was a theme available for download now!

Reddit user

This looks………amazing. The future we all wanted but never had.

Reddit user

However, another user correctly pointed out that it’s missing an essential Windows 11 feature. And that’s it, of course, Windows Copilot.

It needs more Copilot.

Reddit user

We don’t know how Windows Copilot would fit the overall Aero theme of the mockup, but the creator behind the mockup said they actually thought about it.

Until Microsoft releases an Aero theme for Windows 11 (highly unlikely, but we can all dream), there are ways to enable parts of it on Windows 11. It’s not the same, sure, but at least some of the UI elements will be translucent.