- Windows 11 system maintenance<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Delete unnecessary files<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Clean your PC<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Windows 11 file management<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Hardware connections<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Update drivers and firmware<\/strong><\/a>
- External devices<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Internal components<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Power plan settings and Windows 11 disk optimizations<\/strong><\/a>
- Power plan settings<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Windows 11 hard disk optimizations<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Windows 11, DAW, and audio\/MIDI connections<\/strong><\/a>
- Windows 11 hardware compatibility<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- DAW software settings<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Basic Windows 11 optimizations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s cover the basics first. Basic system\nmaintenance and file management are the building blocks of a solid PC. Without\nperforming these regularly, your computer can become bogged down, which slows\nperformance that can affect your workflow in the studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Windows 11 system maintenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are some simple ways to optimize your\nWindows 11 computer. While these may seem trivial, these minor optimizations\ncan make a big difference!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Unless they\u2019re necessary, close any unused programs while using your DAW.<\/li>
- Disable third-party startup services such as OneDrive, Skype, Cortana, SpotifyWebHelper, and iTunes.
- Hold Ctrl+Shift+Esc<\/strong> on your keyboard to pull up Task Manager. Next, click the Startup <\/strong>tab. Locate and right-click on any non-essential services, and select Disable<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Perform malware and antivirus scans once every week or so to make sure your computer isn\u2019t infected.
- We highly recommend using the built-in Windows antivirus software, Windows Defender<\/strong>. Third-party antivirus software can use quite a bit of your computer\u2019s resources, typically takes up a lot of hard drive space, and may cause software to run incorrectly. For example, a legitimate third-party plug-in might not work because it could be flagged as a malicious file, since the antivirus software may not recognize it as safe.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Remove non-essential preinstalled software (bloatware)<\/em> if you use a pre-configured computer, such as the one you would get from a retailer. These programs are unnecessary, take up hard drive space, and slow your computer to a crawl.
- Do not uninstall Microsoft Edge. While you may not use it as your primary browser, uninstalling it can cause crashes.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Uninstall any programs that you haven\u2019t used in a while to free up hard drive space.<\/li>
- While Windows 11 updates won\u2019t be forced as they were on Windows 10, be sure to check that the OS is up to date. To do this, click the Windows <\/strong>icon, type \u201cUpdate\u201d, then click Check for updates<\/strong>.
- Fortunately, Windows 11 updates are 40% smaller and will install in the background, which means you can keep working on your projects and won\u2019t have to worry about wasting time waiting on installation and having to constantly reboot.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Delete unnecessary files<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before optimizing your hard disk, you\u2019ll want\nto delete any unnecessary files, as they can add up over time. The less space\nyou have on your hard drive (especially your boot drive), the slower your\ncomputer will become. If you have 20 takes in an audio or video project and\nwill only use three, that\u2019s 17 useless files just taking up space on your hard\ndrive. So, locate your DAW\u2019s project folder and delete any unnecessary takes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clean your PC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
IMPORTANT: <\/strong>Power off, disconnect, and let your computer discharge for\napproximately 15 minutes before cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it\u2019s often overlooked, you should give your computer, fans, and vents a good, proper cleaning at least<\/em> once a season. We highly recommend cleaning everything more frequently if you have pets that wander in the room. The more dust (and pet hair) accumulates, the more clogged the vents and fans can become, which results in overheating. All you need is some compressed air<\/a>, isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, and a microfiber cloth. If you don\u2019t feel comfortable opening your desktop\u2019s case, take it to a local computer shop for cleaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location, location, location!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The location of your PC matters, as well! Some\nPC users prefer to place their computer on a desk or rack, while others may prefer\nit on a stand. As long as it\u2019s well ventilated (meaning the intake and exhaust\nfans aren\u2019t blocked) and you check for dust frequently, you should be\nfine! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only does the position of the PC matter, but\nthe room itself also plays a role. As the temperature in the room fluctuates,\nso will your computer\u2019s temperature. While the max CPU temperature tolerance\ncan vary from processor to processor, the consensus is that you begin to enter\nthe \u201cdanger zone\u201d once your PC reaches 80\u00b0C, as this can cause throttling and,\neven worse, crashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your cooling system, the coolest\nyour computer will get is the same or a little above the room\u2019s temperature\n(especially with fan-only cooling systems). So, when you\u2019re setting up your\nstudio, consider the average temperature of that room throughout the year, and\ntry and keep it temperature controlled. This is especially true in the summer\nwhen it gets warm. If you\u2019re working on a large project that pushes your PC to\nthe limits and the ambient temperature is pretty warm, you\u2019re more susceptible\nto hard crashes and overheating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To monitor your temperatures, we highly recommend using the third-party software CPUID HWMonitor<\/a>. This software will give you a real-time breakdown of the temperature and voltage for nearly every PC hardware component.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is throttling?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If your computer begins to reach the maximum\ntemperature limit, your processor will begin to throttle. This means that the\nCPU will automatically slow down, or throttle, to conserve energy and reduce\nthe amount of heat it generates. This can happen more frequently if you\noverclock the computer with an inadequate cooling system or if you\u2019re in a very\nwarm room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TIP: <\/strong>While a little uncommon, overheating can be caused by dried or\nchipped thermal paste. This means the old paste will need to be cleaned off the\nprocessor and new paste reapplied. We strongly recommend taking it to a\nprofessional for this procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"CPUID](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/CPUID-HWMonitor-example.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nCPUID HWMonitor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Windows 11 file management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Having your programs and files organized is an\nessential part of optimizing any PC. This is particularly true for audio\nengineers and studios. Not only will it make things easier to find, but it also\nmakes it easier to keep track of how much space you have on your hard drive(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Use dedicated drives for your DAW projects, virtual instrument libraries, and plug-ins. The more available space on your boot drive, the better the performance you\u2019ll get from Windows 11.<\/li>
- Don\u2019t move files and folders between locations unless necessary. If you do move any files, you\u2019ll receive an error the next time you launch your project and will need to relink them.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
Hardware connections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You may not think about it much, but where and\nhow you\u2019re connecting your hardware to your PC can make a world of difference,\nespecially when using your DAW. Doing so will allow you to use your gear to its\nfull potential. Not just that, but it\u2019s the first thing you should do when\ntroubleshooting connectivity issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Connect USB 2.0 devices to USB 2.0 ports and USB 3.0 devices to USB 3.0 ports<\/a>, if possible. While you can connect one to the other, your device will be capped at the USB 2.0 speed if you mix them.<\/li>
- If your USB device has a power supply, use that instead of relying on bus power, mainly when using laptops. If external devices draw more power than your computer can provide, it may result in connectivity issues and overall poor performance.<\/li>
- Know the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt cables. While they both use the same connector, a USB device that has a USB-C connector is not <\/strong>compatible with Thunderbolt 3 peripherals. Check out our inSync<\/em> article, \u201cWhat Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C Mean to Musicians and Engineers<\/a>,\u201d to learn more.<\/li>
- Always use the USB cable that came with your hardware. Using generic third-party cables may not provide a quality connection to your Windows 11 PC.<\/li>
- If your PC or laptop has a limited amount of USB connections, then configure it so that audio interfaces and MIDI controllers are connected directly to your computer.
- We recommend using a powered USB hub<\/a> for peripherals and dongles such as eLicenser<\/a> and iLok<\/a> keys. Passive hubs can work but may not provide enough power to transfer data.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Update drivers and firmware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One critical optimization for your Windows 11\ncomputer is updating the drivers and firmware of both your external devices and\ninternal computer components. Having out-of-date drivers or firmware can be the\nroot cause of many issues, including problems with playback and recording, so\nif you are having problems, the first thing to do is update the drivers and\nfirmware (if applicable).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
External devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some external devices, such as audio interfaces, MIDI keyboards, and DAW controllers, are class-compliant, meaning no additional drivers or firmware are required (plug and play). However, most will require specific drivers to connect to and communicate with your PC correctly. If a driver isn\u2019t listed on the hardware manufacturer\u2019s website, that usually means it\u2019s class-compliant, and no additional drivers need to be installed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We recommend installing the drivers before<\/em> connecting the hardware to your Windows 11 PC. Sometimes, especially if you restart your computer, a generic driver will be installed in its place, which can cause connectivity issues. Follow these steps to install the drivers correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Uninstall the current driver and disconnect your external hardware device.<\/li>
- Download and install the latest driver (and firmware, if applicable) from the manufacturer\u2019s website.
- Follow the on-screen installation instructions, as you may need to perform additional steps.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Restart your computer, then connect the device.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>
Internal components<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Audio glitches and latency can be caused by an\ninternal component such as your graphics card, integrated USB port driver, or\neven a motherboard or BIOS firmware. For example, if your wireless digital\nmixer isn\u2019t connecting to your computer\u2019s network, it could be because of an\nout-of-date or corrupt network card driver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Updating your internal component\u2019s driver may be a bit more involved, so make sure to follow the manufacturer\u2019s installation instructions to the letter \u2014 especially<\/em> with your motherboard and BIOS, as incorrect installation can lead to system-wide issues and, in worst-case scenarios, an unrecoverable computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Click the Windows <\/strong>icon, type \u201cDevice\u201d, then select Device Manager<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Click the arrow next to Display Adapters<\/strong> for graphics drivers, Universal Serial Bus<\/strong> for USB chipset drivers, or Network Adapters<\/strong> for networks drivers.<\/li>
- Right-click and choose Update Driver<\/strong>, followed by Search automatically for updated driver software<\/strong>. If no driver is found, update the driver manually using the steps below:
- Double-click to view its properties.<\/li>
- In the General tab, you can see the model and the manufacturer. In the Driver tab, you can find the driver version and the date.<\/li>
- Go to the computer manufacturer\u2019s website to find the latest driver for your controller.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Where can I find detailed driver information?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes the Generaland Drivertabs\nin Device Manager may not provide the driver information necessary to update\nthe correct driver version. For internal components like your network card or\nintegrated USB ports, you can view it within the System Informationtab.\nTo do this, click the Windows <\/strong>icon, type \u201cSystem info\u201d, and then click System\nInformation<\/strong>. From here, you can view details about every hardware component\nthat is currently installed on your PC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/Windows-11-system-information-1024x812.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSystem information<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
NVIDIA graphics cards<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you have an NVIDIA graphics card and are having display issues in your DAW (such as Pro Tools), this could be due to an out-of-date or corrupt driver. If you\u2019re not sure which NVIDIA graphics card driver you have, you can use NVIDIA\u2019s Smart Scan Tool<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>to detect the currently installed driver automatically. Alternatively, download and install NVIDIA GeForce Experience<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>This software will not only show you which driver is currently installed, but you\u2019ll also receive driver update notifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- When installing NVIDIA drivers, Select Custom (Advanced)<\/strong>, and then uncheck everything, especially HD Audio Driver<\/strong> if you\u2019re using an audio interface. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Power plan settings and Windows 11 disk optimizations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some other optimizations that you should perform\ninvolve updating the power plan settings (laptops) and various hard disk tasks.\nYou want to get every bit of performance you can out of your Windows 11 PC, so\nthese will increase your performance even further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Power plan settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
TIP: <\/strong>High-performance power plan settings will drain your laptop battery faster, so make sure it\u2019s plugged into a power source, if at all possible. If you\u2019re a traveling musician, we recommend investing in a power bank<\/a>. These can be a lifesaver, especially if you\u2019re traveling and don\u2019t have access to an AC power outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desktop users don\u2019t need to worry too much\nabout power plan settings. While you may see some changes, there will only be a\nsmall difference. If you\u2019re using a laptop, though, your power plan can play a\nsignificant role in the performance of your computer, especially when you\u2019re\nworking inside your DAW, photo, or video editing software. For example, if it\u2019s\nset to \u201cPower saver\u201d mode, you\u2019re much more likely to run into glitches,\ndropouts, and overall poor performance. While there are other factors, such as\nthe age of your laptop or a weak or failing laptop battery, these power\nsettings can do you a world of good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Launch Control Panel and click Power Options<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Select High performance<\/strong>, and then choose Change plan settings<\/strong>.
- If \u201cHigh performance\u201d isn\u2019t listed, click Show additional plans<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Set the sleep time to Never<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Next, click on Change advanced power setting<\/strong> and update the following settings:
- Hard disk > Turn off hard disk > Setting (Minutes): 0<\/strong><\/li>
- Sleep > Sleep after > Setting (Minutes): 0<\/strong><\/li>
- Sleep > Hibernate after > Setting (Minutes): 0<\/strong><\/li>
- USB settings > USB selective suspend setting > Setting: Disabled<\/strong><\/li>
- Processor power management > Minimum processor state > Setting: 100%<\/strong><\/li>
- Processor power management > Maximum processor state > Setting: 100%<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- After you\u2019ve updated those settings, click Apply<\/strong>, then click OK<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Power](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/Power-Plan-Control-Panel.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n - Sleep > Sleep after > Setting (Minutes): 0<\/strong><\/li>
- Set the sleep time to Never<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Select High performance<\/strong>, and then choose Change plan settings<\/strong>.
- Launch Control Panel and click Power Options<\/strong>.<\/li>
- When installing NVIDIA drivers, Select Custom (Advanced)<\/strong>, and then uncheck everything, especially HD Audio Driver<\/strong> if you\u2019re using an audio interface. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Click the arrow next to Display Adapters<\/strong> for graphics drivers, Universal Serial Bus<\/strong> for USB chipset drivers, or Network Adapters<\/strong> for networks drivers.<\/li>
- Click the Windows <\/strong>icon, type \u201cDevice\u201d, then select Device Manager<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Connect USB 2.0 devices to USB 2.0 ports and USB 3.0 devices to USB 3.0 ports<\/a>, if possible. While you can connect one to the other, your device will be capped at the USB 2.0 speed if you mix them.<\/li>
- Fortunately, Windows 11 updates are 40% smaller and will install in the background, which means you can keep working on your projects and won\u2019t have to worry about wasting time waiting on installation and having to constantly reboot.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Remove non-essential preinstalled software (bloatware)<\/em> if you use a pre-configured computer, such as the one you would get from a retailer. These programs are unnecessary, take up hard drive space, and slow your computer to a crawl.
- Perform malware and antivirus scans once every week or so to make sure your computer isn\u2019t infected.
- Hold Ctrl+Shift+Esc<\/strong> on your keyboard to pull up Task Manager. Next, click the Startup <\/strong>tab. Locate and right-click on any non-essential services, and select Disable<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- DAW software settings<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Windows 11 hard disk optimizations<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Internal components<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Delete unnecessary files<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
![\"Power](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/Power-Plan-Settings.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Defrag](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/Defrag-and-Optimize-window.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Disk](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/10\/Disk-Cleanup.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n