Windows 10 Audio Optimizations

[Kalamata Kid]

Hello,

In previous Windows versions somehow magically there appeared the audio optimizations thread. Not this time so I told myself “hey, why not start one!” So I did as you can see because I want my Windows 10 64 bit music/Photoshop PC to run fast and to be stable. I hope others may also profit from this thread.

A few older optimization threads:
Windows 8 optimization tips?
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=362978
Optimizing a Windows LAPTOP computer for DAW, performance AND other use
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307315
windows 7 optimization
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=328889

Interesting but very time consuming.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1567408/wind ... weak-guide

You suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[planetearth]

Hello,

In previous Windows versions somehow magically there appeared the audio optimizations thread. Not this time so I told myself “hey, why not start one!” So I did as you can see because I want my Windows 10 64 bit music/Photoshop PC to run fast and to be stable. I hope others may also profit from this thread.

A few older optimization threads:
Windows 8 optimization tips?
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=362978
Optimizing a Windows LAPTOP computer for DAW, performance AND other use
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307315
windows 7 optimization
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=328889

Interesting but very time consuming.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1567408/wind ... weak-guide

You suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for starting this. I'm all for optimizing any version of Windows, and I do it all the time for my clients.

That said, I'd be a bit careful with the Windows 10 tips posted (more or less) on overclock.net. They're from the Enterprise version of Windows, so some of the Registry settings or tweaks may not apply to other versions of Windows...and some may, in fact, make Windows slower or more unstable.

I've always found Black Viper's Windows configuration pages to be helpful, and I've never had a problem implementing his suggestions. He lists things for each version of Windows 10 independently, and gives you a "Safe" option, in case you don't want to be too extreme in your streamlining of Windows 10.

http://www.blackviper.com/service-confi ... gurations/

Steve

[xNiMiNx]

Interesting but very time consuming.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1567408/wind ... weak-guide

Since the OP of that page doesnt link to the original post (not your fault) :

http://reboot.pro/topic/20622-windows-1 ... k-scripts/

Better to stick with the original forum / thread imo. The PDF wasnt kept updated, also nice to be able to communicate directly with the author, and read others experiences.

That said, I'd be a bit careful with the Windows 10 tips posted (more or less) on overclock.net.

I've always found Black Viper's Windows configuration pages to be helpful,

I would say to be careful with all tips, not just ones for different editions.

+1 for Black Viper. 16 years now, wow. I think ill head over to that donate button

[Kalamata Kid]

I assume the optimization can be done well after the original
Windows 10 installation. In my case it is a "clean" install".

Number one optimization on the list for audio is ....
Turn off the internet connection and the anti-virus app.
Or is there another #1 or even the top three?

[planetearth]

I assume the optimization can be done well after the original
Windows 10 installation. In my case it is a "clean" install".

Number one optimization on the list for audio is ....
Turn off the internet connection and the anti-virus app.
Or is there another #1 or even the top three?

Ideally, you shouldn't even have anti-virus software on your DAW. Even when it's "off", it's still running in the background, and taking up RAM. If you have to have it, then yes, turn it off.

Wireless LAN adapters are more problematic than wired ones, so you'll want to disable them completely (again, not just "disconnect from the network" or turn them off). I run an extremely clean and stripped Windows 7 Professional system, but I leave my wired connection on and haven't had any problems with it yet. (Then again, it's the on-board NIC, and it doesn't have all the overhead the Intel "Pro" series NICs have.)

I'd say the final of the "Top 3" would be to disable any power-saving features in the computer's CMOS/UEFI. Again, don't just disable this in Windows; turn it all off at the "source", and have the computer run at top speed (without overclocking, unless that's what you want) at all times.

This is all assuming you haven't installed any other software that runs all the time, whether you use it or not (Adobe Acrobat Reader, I'm looking at YOU!).

Otherwise, you can do any of these optimizations at any time, yes. They don't have to be done right after you install Windows 10. In fact, you're better off making sure Windows is stable before you start making these changes, so you'll know if the change was responsible for any "newfound instability".

In addition to keeping your system junk-free and up-to-date, the free versions of Glary Utilities and CCleaner are very good at showing you (and disabling) other software that runs on startup, and Glary has a convenient way to turn off/on any services. Unfortunately, it also sets itself to run in the background, but CCleaner can show you that...and disable it. The paid version of Glary Utilities is worth the $12 (for three computers), though, because it finds and cleans more than the free version. CCleaner's paid version doesn't do much more than the free one, though there is an add-on for it that will find and clean even more junk from other parts of Windows and other software.

Steve

[Kalamata Kid]

I assume the optimization can be done well after the original
Windows 10 installation. In my case it is a "clean" install".

Number one optimization on the list for audio is ....
Turn off the internet connection and the anti-virus app.
Or is there another #1 or even the top three?

Ideally, you shouldn't even have anti-virus software on your DAW. Even when it's "off", it's still running in the background, and taking up RAM. If you have to have it, then yes, turn it off.

Wireless LAN adapters are more problematic than wired ones, so you'll want to disable them completely (again, not just "disconnect from the network" or turn them off). I run an extremely clean and stripped Windows 7 Professional system, but I leave my wired connection on and haven't had any problems with it yet. (Then again, it's the on-board NIC, and it doesn't have all the overhead the Intel "Pro" series NICs have.)

I'd say the final of the "Top 3" would be to disable any power-saving features in the computer's CMOS/UEFI. Again, don't just disable this in Windows; turn it all off at the "source", and have the computer run at top speed (without overclocking, unless that's what you want) at all times.

This is all assuming you haven't installed any other software that runs all the time, whether you use it or not (Adobe Acrobat Reader, I'm looking at YOU!).

Otherwise, you can do any of these optimizations at any time, yes. They don't have to be done right after you install Windows 10. In fact, you're better off making sure Windows is stable before you start making these changes, so you'll know if the change was responsible for any "newfound instability".

In addition to keeping your system junk-free and up-to-date, the free versions of Glary Utilities and CCleaner are very good at showing you (and disabling) other software that runs on startup, and Glary has a convenient way to turn off/on any services. Unfortunately, it also sets itself to run in the background, but CCleaner can show you that...and disable it. The paid version of Glary Utilities is worth the $12 (for three computers), though, because it finds and cleans more than the free version. CCleaner's paid version doesn't do much more than the free one, though there is an add-on for it that will find and clean even more junk from other parts of Windows and other software.

Steve

My mobo does not have wifi. Lucky me. Nothing to turn off?

I believe I have the Bios set up to run properly. I built this PC for music creation. I am however good at configuring the BIOS. I have run the usual tests and the results have been very encouraging.

Re: Acrobat: You tokin to me? I use Foxit and turn off everting in the startup menu.

Yes I will follow your advice about Glary and Ccleaner. Oooops! Glary is $28 with is a subscription service with annual fees $12. I was ready to get it for a onetime fee of $12 but now I am hesitant.

Thanks. Very good suggestions.

[planetearth]

My mobo does not have wifi. Lucky me. Nothing to turn off?

I believe I have the Bios set up to run properly. I built this PC for music creation. I am however good at configuring the BIOS. I have run the usual tests and the results have been very encouraging.

Re: Acrobat: You tokin to me? I use Foxit and turn off everting in the startup menu.

Yes I will follow your advice about Glary and Ccleaner. Oooops! Glary is $28 with is a subscription service with annual fees $12. I was ready to get it for a onetime fee of $12 but now I am hesitant.

Thanks. Very good suggestions.

Foxit is good, but they've started adding "cloud-sharing" features that also run in the background. Make sure you turn them off. I've since switched to Nitro PDF, which is even more streamlined and includes a built-in PDF "printer" (for making your own PDFs from any app).

Install the free Glary Utilities. That's when it will suggest the Pro version for around $12.

Steve

[xNiMiNx]

Acrobat... Foxit...

Once i stumbled on Sumatra PDF, ive never needed to look for any other PDF readers (it also reads a few other formats).

Im still using 1.5.1 portable, never had any problems with pdf's. The newest version has some nice features like tabbed browsing, but its twice the size as 1.5.1, but hey, 6mb isnt bad

Theres an official portable version which is a big plus (for me), nice to keep on your usb toolbox.

[metamorphosis]

My guide works for Win10, though I haven't included any Win10-specific things in it yet.