When using Drastic software on Windows, for some operations system settings must be altered to allow for the performance necessary for the workflow. This includes Net-X-Code Server, videoQC, sdiScope, 4KScope, HDRScope, FlowCaster and 2110Scope.  By default, Windows is designed for multiple, low performance loads and UI experience.  The suggested changes allow Drastic software to get the required resources and performance required for consistent operation.

Optimizing Windows

      The following list contains suggestions for optimizing system performance when working with Drastic Software on Windows:

• Disable CPU throttling
  • In Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options, select High Performance.
• Disable UAC (User Account Control)
  • UAC must be disabled to allow proper access (see Microsoft knowledge base article KB969417).
• Disable NUMA processor support
  • NUMA support needs to be disabled in the BIOS.
• Disable Real Time Virus detection
  
  • Ideally, do not install any Anti Virus software. However, if Anti Virus software must be installed, disable real time features and make sure scans are done when the server is not in use.
• Do not enable the Windows Display setting “Show window contents while dragging.” This setting hinders redraw performance if you are using any Drastic GUI interfaces.
  • In Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Personalization > Window Color and Appearance > Effects, deselect Show window contents while dragging.
• Enable setting to adjust for best performance
  • In Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System > Advanced System Settings > Performance Settings, select Adjust for best performance.
• Disable Desktop compositing
  • In Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System > System Protection > Advanced tab > Performance Setting, deselect Enable desktop composition.
• Disable Windows Defender
  • In Control Panel > Security > Windows Defender > Tools > Options > Administrator Options, deselect Use Windows Defender > Save.
• Disable Sidebar
  • Right-click the Sidebar or Sidebar icon on your desktop > Properties > Deselect Start Sidebar when Windows starts > Right click icon and select Exit.
• Disable Hibernation in the Power options
  • In Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Power Options > Change when the computer sleeps > Put the computer to sleep, select Never.
• Set automatic updates to Notify you but don’t automatically download
  • In Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Windows Updates > Change settings, select Notify me but don’t automatically download them or install them.
• Turn off the firewall if you are within a secure network.  Do not do this if your machine has direct internet access.
  • In Control Panel > Security > Windows Firewall, select Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
• Disable, if possible, the following Windows features
  • Simple file sharing
  • Offline files and folder
  • NTFS last access time
  • Network 1394 (if your system has a 1394/firewire port)
  • SuperFetch/ReadyBoost
  • Desktop composition
  • HP Velocity (if installed on an HP machine)
• Disable, if possible, the following Windows services
  • Browser
  • Messenger
  • IIS FTP and WEB
  • Remote registry
  • Shared Access
  • System Restore
  • Security Center
  • Fast User Switching
  • Error Reporting
  • Remote Desktop Help
  • Help and Support
  • Indexing
• Do not leave other applications open. The performance of your system can slow considerably when the Console window, internet browsers, email application, etc. are open.
• Do not leave other applications running. Some applications, such as Microsoft Office, run background processes.
• Do not run any application that includes prescheduled or automatically scheduled activities, such as a calendar program.
• Do not run any application that periodically “wakes up” and performs an action.
• Do not allow virus scans to run when Drastic software is operating.
• Disable screen savers.
• Do not name files with special characters (/ \ : ? ” < > | *). Windows does not recognize special characters in file names.
• Do not schedule automatic backups at times when your system might be in use.
• Do not allow the Find Fast background process (find.exe) to run. The process tries to update its cache of file and folder locations. Check your Startup folder, and delete the file if it is there. To locate the find.exe, select Start > Search > find.exe.
• These applications/services should NOT be run on systems with Drastic software where performance is important
  • PowerAlert Agent
  • Altiris Virtualization Agent
  • Internet Explorer enhanced security
  • VNC Graphic Options
  • Microsoft Messenger
  • Symantec Firewall
  • Sygate Firewall
  • Autorun for network shares
  • Symantec Endpoint
  • TrendMicro System Protection
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader launcher/manager
  • Java automatic update
  • QuickTime automatic update
• If you are on an isolated (not internet connected) network:
  • Disable DNS probing/intenet connection check
    • HKLM\system\currentcontrolset\services\nlasvc\parameters\internet\EnableActiveProbing = 0
  • Make sure your time server is pointed at a local, accessible (NTP) time server