"Optimizing Your Windows Vista Computer at Danny Piano & Sue Sax Chesnut"

Before we go through the list of tuning tips, make sure that your computer has sufficient RAM installed. Vista's options and features can require quiet large amount of RAM just for smooth operation of the operating system (OS). Please note that you need RAM for a smooth audio processing as well. A minimum amount of 2 GB is recommended.

Note: This is a guide that shows you how to get more performance out of your computer under Vista, it is not looking at compatibility questions regarding drivers, 64Bit versions etc... For information on this topic, please visit the Windows Vista Compatibility page here.

Deactivate User Account Control (UAC)

Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "msconfig" and press enter.The SYSTEM CONFIGURATION window will pop-up. Under the tab "tools" scroll down till you find "Disable UAP" or "Disable UAC" (in the latest Vista version). Click on that line. Then press the

Launch button. A CMD (Command Prompt) window will open. When the command is done, you can close the window. Close SYSTEM CONFIGURATION window. You need to reboot the computer for

changes to apply. Note that you can re-enable UAC by selecting the "Enable UAP" or "Enabe UAC" line and then clicking on the Launch button.

Alternatively, you can find these settings under Control Panel\User Accounts. Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "User Accounts" and press enter.The User Accounts home page will pop-up. Please select the line that reads: "Turn User Accounts Control on or off". Then unselect (uncheck) the box that reads "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer" then click on OK (button). You can now close the User Accounts home page. You need to reboot the computer for changes to apply. Note that you can re-enable UAC by selecting (checking) the box that reads "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer" then click on OK (button).

Turn off your Visual Effects

Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "Performance Information and Tools" and press enter. The Performance Information and Tools home page will pop-up. Please select the line that reads: ADJUST VISUAL EFFECTS. The PERFORMANCE OPTIONS window will pop-up. Select "ADJUST FOR BEST PERFORMANCE" and this will unselect all the visual effect options. Especially Vista's "Aero" Theme or graphic user interface (GUI) can consume a huge amount of system resources, so it is recommended to disable this.

Windows Theme

Next, set the Windows theme to "Standard". Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "Personalization" and press enter. The Personalization home page will pop-up. Please select the line that reads: WINDOWS COLOR AND APPEARENCE. Next select the line that reads: OPEN CLASSIC APPEARENCE PROPERTIES FOR MORE COLOR OPTIONS. Lastly, please choose "WINDOWS STANDARD". Click on OK (button) to close.

Disable Screen Savers

Screen savers can cause unexpected performance and sound glitches, so you'll want to disable them. Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "Personalization" and press enter. The Personalization home page will pop-up. Please select the line that reads: SCREEN SAVER. The SCREEN SAVER SETTINGS windows will pop-up.In the drop-down menu, pleaset set it to "None". Click OK (button) to close this window.

Disable Power Management

Go to Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "Power Options" and press enter. The Power Options home page will pop-up. Please select High Performance and then after, select the line that reads: CHANGE PALN SETTINGS and then make sure all options are set to "Never".

Disable Your System Sounds

Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "Personalization" and press enter. The Personalization home page will pop-up. Please select the line that reads: SOUNDS. The SOUND window will pop-up. In the drop-down menu, please set set it to "No Sounds". Click OK (button) to close this window.

Disable power saving option for USB ports (for users that use a Native Instrument USB Audio

Device , e.g. Audio 8 DJ, Audio Kontrol 1, Kore, Rig Kontrol)

It is recommended to disable power management to the USB hubs, to assure that the audio device receives enough power to work properly. Windows enables this option by default. Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "Device Manager" and press enter. The DEVICE MANAGER window will pop-up. Now select (left double click on) the line that reads: "Universal Serial Bus Controllers". Then right click on the line that reads: USB ROOT HUB. This will bring up a menu please select PROPERTIES. On the "Power Management" tab, uncheck all boxes. Repeat for each and every USB ROOT HUB and restart the system.

Disable Hyper Threading (Pentium IV computer with 3GHz or higher ONLY)

Please disable HyperThreading in the BIOS of your computer. Since every BIOS looks and behaves different, we can not exactly say how to do that, You may want to consult with your owners manual for the system or research online with the manufacture's website or technical support. But basically just go into your BIOS and check if you find any entry or option on HyperThreading and disable it.

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Switch Off Desktop Background Image

Right Click Desktop> Properties>Desktop Tab> Background "None"

Disable Windows Security Center (ONLY if you do not go online with the computer!!!!)
Go to the START Menu. In the START SEARCH, type "Security Center" and press enter. The Windows Security Center home page will pop-up.
Step 1: Please select the line that reads: WINDOWS UPDATE on the left-hand side. At this new window please select the line that reads: CHANGE SETTINGS on the left-hand side.Then click on (select)the option that reads: NEVER CHECK FOR UPDATES. After click on the OK (button) to close.
Step 2: Please select the line that reads: WINDOWS FIREWALL on the left-hand side. At this new window please select the line that reads: CHANGE SETTINGS on the right-hand side.Then the WINDOWS FIREWALL SETTINGS windows will pop-up. Please click on (select)the option that reads: OFF. After click on the OK (button) to close.
Step 3: Please select the line that reads: WINDOWS DEFENDER on the left-hand side. At this new window please select the menu option that reads: TOOL on the center of the WINDOWS DEFENDER home page.Then uncheck (unselect) the box that reads: AUTOMATICALLY SCAN MY COMPUTER . After click on the SAVE (button) to close.
Final Step: Please note that the Operating System (OS) will tell you that in this state you are at risk. To stop these reminders, at The Windows Security Center home page please select the line that reads: CHANGE THE WAY SECURITY CENTER ALERTS ME on the left-hand side. At the WINDOWS SECURITY CENTER window that will pop-up. Please select the line that reads: DON"T NOTIFY ME AND DON"T DISPLAY THE ICON.
Don't make these adjustments if you decide to go online with your computer.

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Tuning Tips For Windows Vista For Audio Processing