Q. I'm using a Windows Server 2008 R2-based virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) connecting to Windows 7 guests. What do I need to do to get the Aero Glass theme when I connect?

A. When you set up a VDI pool, the pool is configured with certain settings that are used when you connect, using either RDWeb or your computers' local RemoteApp and Desktop Connections.

To get the Aero Glass theme, use the Remote Desktop Connection Manager tool. Go to RD Virtualization Host Servers - and then click Change for your VDI pool settings. Under Common RDP Settings. Select Highest Quality (32 bit) for Color, as shown below. (You can also choose to allow font smoothing.)

Now go to the Custom RDP Settings and apply more settings to ensure you get a full fidelity graphical experience, as shown here.

Below are the settings you need for Aero, in text form for easy cutting and pasting. They include allowing desktop composition (which is how Aero works), enabling themes and wallpaper, specifying a LAN connection (connection type:6), and some other settings.

screen mode id:i:1
desktopwidth:i:1024
desktopheight:i:768
keyboardhook:i:1
audiocapturemode:i:0
connection type:i:6
compression:i:1
videoplaybackmode:i:1
disable wallpaper:i:0
allow desktop composition:i:1
disable full window drag:i:0
disable menu anims:i:0
disable themes:i:0
disable cursor setting:i:0
bitmapcachepersistenable:i:1

If you want to see what each setting does, see this TechNet page, which details every setting possible.