Does using an ILOK dongle get me around the background process always running?

[Tendou]

Hi, Im wondering if I still can use ILOK software when I store the licenses on a dongle and turning of the bloat background processes in the task manager.
Matter of fact I asked the support but they didnt understand the question. But they told me I need to install the license manager software bc it contains the dongle driver.

Im also open for more suggestions.
Thank you.

[BBFG#]

It still runs regardless. And support completely understands the question but works extremely hard to not answer it. Also getting it off your system even after removing it completely leaves traces buried in other Windows processes and only a complete reinstall of the OS will eliminate them.

[Tendou]

It still runs regardless. And support completely understands the question but works extremely hard to not answer it. Also getting it off your system even after removing it completely leaves traces buried in other Windows processes and only a complete reinstall of the OS will eliminate them.

that really is bad…. I do have some NFR licenses on there so kinda sucks to sit on dead money.

edit:// apparently it does work with just a dongle:
https://help.ilok.com/ilm_setup.html

[lfm]

Also getting it off your system even after removing it completely leaves traces buried in other Windows processes and only a complete reinstall of the OS will eliminate them.

Almost true, but I managed to find a way, some years ago now.

To remove a folder manually after uninstall some file was open and kept it refusing to be deleted.

Looked through registry and found a reference to that file, and deleted in registry.

Then I could remove the last folder too.

There is a good helper from Sysinternals called Autoruns. Search for "pace" and you will probably find it, or "ilok" for that matter.
- lots of stuff seen not being in Taskmanger Startup tab

This about removing traces of iLok.

Since they now have the dongle free system requiring being online too, these are probably integrated anyway, not to reveal how system works.
- does install give question if to support dongle or not?

Is it using that much cpu?

[legendCNCD]

The bonjour and pace services can be shutdown from services commandlet if needed. Then you need to start them by hand before running iLok software. They idle until used and have not seen them use any cpu at all since 2012, I even changed machine in between..
But this is only my experience.

[teilo]

Can you demonstrate the supposed "bloat" of the Pace process? Like, actual CPU / RAM usage? Because I've used it for years, and not once has the Pace process ever eaten CPU and RAM. It mostly sits there and does nothing until it's needed.

Honestly, I think people obsess about this merely because it shows up in the process list.

[gullfo]

same - iLok is one of the least intrusive processes on my system, compared to say the keystroke tracking used in the "ink" handwriting module

[Tendou]

It still runs regardless. And support completely understands the question but works extremely hard to not answer it. Also getting it off your system even after removing it completely leaves traces buried in other Windows processes and only a complete reinstall of the OS will eliminate them.

I can offer help with the removing: check out Revo Uninstaller

[BertKoor]

Talk about bloat: a freshly installed OS plus some bare essential apps has like 2.000 background processes running already.

[Tendou]

Talk about bloat: a freshly installed OS plus some bare essential apps has like 2.000 background processes running already.

exactly and when you spend hours to debloat and optimize your system you dont want pace background processes just to be able to use some plugins youve spent money on!

[BBFG#]

same - iLok is... intrusive... on my system...

And if comparing to other non-audio production bloat, you're not getting the point anyway.

Generally iLok/PACE adds a around 4% idling with regular jumps upward of 12% or more. Spikes can be anywhere from 17%-30%. And its processes show in increased OS processes, not under its own name(s). Unfortunately, the only way to see the difference is by measuring a clean system before installing it and then seeing the difference after installing it. Even uninstalling it after that will not give you the same measurement from a fresh install. My biggest problem has more to do with the company and support now though. They actually told me they had to lie to people to get them to use it and were quite indifferent to doing so. One of the most disgusting experiences I've had with a company. Now I think of them as mobsters running a protection racket. And that people that use it are victims.

[revvy]

They actually told me they had to lie to people

You should share this actual conversation, too good for just alluding to, no?

[Tendou]

same - iLok is... intrusive... on my system...

And if comparing to other non-audio production bloat, you're not getting the point anyway.

Generally iLok/PACE adds a around 4% idling with regular jumps upward of 12% or more. Spikes can be anywhere from 17%-30%. And its processes show in increased OS processes, not under its own name(s). Unfortunately, the only way to see the difference is by measuring a clean system before installing it and then seeing the difference after installing it. Even uninstalling it after that will not give you the same measurement from a fresh install. My biggest problem has more to do with the company and support now though. They actually told me they had to lie to people to get them to use it and were quite indifferent to doing so. One of the most disgusting experiences I've had with a company. Now I think of them as mobsters running a protection racket. And that people that use it are victims.

thats really bad…
but back to my original question - with licenses stored on the dongle you should be fine, right? (besides on the system you use for installing the licenses on the dongle. lol)

[gullfo]

Generally iLok/PACE adds a around 4% idling with regular jumps upward of 12% or more. Spikes can be anywhere from 17%-30%. And its processes show in increased OS processes, not under its own name(s).

my system at idle - 0% on my system, then with my Slate / SSL template (70 tracks and ~75 default VMR or SSL channel plugins using ilok) ~2% while loading. then 0% when doing things in the project. once the license is checked during the load, it simple goes into background with no impact on my projects.

so if you're being "victimized" by it, i'd recommend you check your configuration, make sure your DAW isn't constantly checking, make sure your A/V has exceptions for the DAW processes. etc because you're reporting an extraordinary amount of resource use...

[gullfo]

same - iLok is... intrusive... on my system...

also, mis-quoting me is inappropriate - i said "least intrusive". let's avoid that type of false information going forward.