You cannot change settings in Flight Simulator 2004

When you are using Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, you may notice that some of the values and the controls on the Settings screen cannot be changed. These values include, but are not limited to, settings in the following categories:

• Display
• Sound
• Traffic
• Sensitivities
• Realism
• Weather

This behavior occurs because of a conflict with WindowBlinds by Stardock. WindowBlinds changes the appearance and the controls of programs in Microsoft Windows. WindowBlinds is also a compnent of the Stardock Object Desktop (or ObjectDesktop).
This behavior is also caused by a program that is offered by Alienware called Alienguise.

To work around this behavior, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Change the settings in WindowBlinds to exclude Flight Simulator 2004

To exclude Flight Simulator 2004, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, click Object Desktop, and then click WindowBlinds.
2. In the WindowBlinds Advanced Settings window, under Settings, click Per Application.
3. Click Add per application setting.
4. Click the Select an app.exe from disk button.
5. Locate the folder where Flight Simulator 2004 is installed. Typically, Flight Simulator 2004 is installed in the following folder:
   C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9
6. In the Per Application Settings window, click to select the Ignore this application and do not skin it check box.
7. Click OK.
8. Close the WindowBlinds Advanced Settings window.

Method 2: Unload WindowBlinds before you start Flight Simulator 2004

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, click Object Desktop, click WindowBlinds, and then click Unload WindowBlinds.

You should now be able to change settings in Flight Simulator 2004.

For more information about how to unload or how to configure WindowBlinds, visit the following Stardock Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.