ShadowFX

Since it doesn’t really stand out, chances are you did not spot the shadow effect that the Windows operating system put underneath a selected window. This effect is called a drop shadow.
With Stardock’s application ShadowFX you can replace the default shadow with a custom shadow style – one that will stand out, like Green Mist or Neon Blue for example.

ShadowFX is meant to be used on PCs powered by Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows Server 2012. A setup wizard will help you install ShadowFX on a PC powered by any of these Windows editions.

During the installation process you will be invited to install Start8 as well. Reviewed by my colleague Frederick Barton, this tool allows you to bring back the Start Menu on Windows 8 PCs.
When you’re done with the installation and you run ShadowFX for the first time, you will be invited to enter a product key, purchase a product key, or start a 30-day trial.

There are only two buttons on the left hand side of the application’s interface:
Style – select the shadow style you want to use.
About – view the ShadowFX version you’re using, check for updates, enter or purchase a product key, visit the ShadowFX webpage on Stardock.com.

A total of 11 shadow styles are presented by the aforementioned interface: Windows 8 Shadows (standard OS shadows), Large Shadows, Blue Mist, Distant Small, Green Mist, Medium Clean, Medium Dark, Neon Blue, Orange Mist, Red Mist, White Mist. You can see them all in the Quick Look video that accompanies this article.

When you select a shadow style, a preview is presented on the ShadowFX interface.
When you select a shadow style, it is applied immediately. Select the Red Mist effect for example and you will see that the ShadowFX window will display a red shadow.

Make windows stand out! Get ShadowFX and select a shadow effect that really makes a selected window stand out.