This also includes online storage solutions as Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, etc.

Minimize background tasks as much as possible.

Remove or disable unused components (WIFI, webcams, printers etc.).

Uninstall unused applications and plug-ins.

Once set-up, go to Change plan settings ▸ Change advanced power settings ▸ USB settings and disable the ‘USB selective suspend settings’. Open Control Panel ▸ Power Options ▸ Create a power plan ▸ High Performance and set the computer sleep time to ‘Never’.

Avoid using dedicated mouse and keyboard drivers, instead use the drivers provided by Windows.Īny energy saving option should be deactivated in favor of continuous operation.

See the manufacturer’s documentation for details. This may not only improve the stability of the system, but also enhances security and compatibility. If external devices are used, make sure that the drivers for the interface cards (USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt) are also up-to-date. Use the latest official Windows drivers provided. They consume extra CPU resources and may mess up the processing priorities to the disadvantage of audio real-time processing. Use the latest official Windows drivers provided, but do not install the additional software that comes with the driver! PhysX, GeForce Experience, AMD Settings (formerly Catalyst Control Center) are mostly game-related features not needed on a DAW.

Graphic cards/graphics processing unit (GPU).Make sure that all device drivers are up-to-date and use the latest firmware (if applicable). Many of these can be upgraded to Windows 10, however, some systems that appear to be compatible are not really suited for DAW tasks. What about my old Windows 7 or Windows 8 system and my old hardware? If the Windows 10/11 Update feature yields no results on already released major updates, check this page for additional options. Windows 10/11 64-bit is the recommended platform! Most of this article’s content also applies to Windows 7 and Windows 8, though. While this may be the final verdict, here are some suggestions on setting up a DAW system properly. A system that runs perfectly fine with games or video rendering may still not be suitable for audio real-time tasks with its very different priorities. A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) application has very specific requirements that cannot be compared to other applications.

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