Difference between revisions of "Windows"
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− | ''' | + | '''Key points''' |
+ | {{++}} The most popular and widely supported family of operating system among PC gamers. | ||
+ | {{++}} [[Wikipedia:Backward compatibility|Backward compatibility]] is high, with newer versions of the operating system capable of running decades old software with minimal issues. | ||
+ | {{ii}} Have transitioned over to periodical major upgrades biannually since the introduction of Windows 10. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Resources''' | ||
+ | {{ii}} [https://support.microsoft.com Official support] | ||
+ | {{ii}} [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/update-history-windows-10 Windows 10 Update history] | ||
+ | {{ii}} [https://catalog.update.microsoft.com Microsoft Update Catalog] - Allows for manual download of updates or device drivers. See [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/323166/how-to-download-updates-that-include-drivers-and-hotfixes-from-the-win related KB article]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Communities''' | ||
+ | {{ii}} [https://answers.microsoft.com Microsoft Community] - Official community for everything related to Microsoft | ||
+ | {{ii}} [https://www.reddit.com/r/windows10/ /r/windows10] - Subreddit dedicated to Windows 10 | ||
+ | {{ii}} [https://www.reddit.com/r/windows/ /r/windows] - Subreddit dedicated to Windows in general | ||
==General== | ==General== | ||
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While they can save time for developers, these files can cause problems for the end-user (commonly referred to as "[[Wikipedia:DLL hell|DLL Hell]]"). | While they can save time for developers, these files can cause problems for the end-user (commonly referred to as "[[Wikipedia:DLL hell|DLL Hell]]"). | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Windows 10== | ||
+ | ===Fullscreen optimizations=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Available for DirectX 9 and above; automatically engaged. | ||
+ | {{++}} Optimizations combining the benefits of classic exclusive fullscreen mode with that of borderless window mode, by utilizing flip model presentation in a maximized borderless window. | ||
+ | {{--}} Have been known to cause frame pacing issues with some games. | ||
+ | {{--}} Despite information stated elsewhere online, there is currently no built-in way of system-wide disabling fullscreen optimizations for all executables in Windows 10 v1803 "April Update". Previously, settings existed tied to this in '''Settings''' > '''Gaming''' > '''[[#Game bar|Game bar]]''' settings page, but this is no longer the case pending a move to the '''Display settings''' > '''Graphics settings''' subpage. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Windows 10 (v1703 "Creators Update" and later) includes optimizations to the classic exclusive fullscreen mode that attempts to convert games running in the "classic" exclusive fullscreen mode into using borderless window mode with flip model presentation instead. This optimization is completely transparent to the game, and the game and injected tools (such as [[Special K]]) will believe and report that the game is running in exclusive fullscreen mode. This allows the use of Windows 10's [[#Game bar|Game bar]] as well as other system overlays in games that otherwise would not support them. A side-effect of the flip model presentation used is that it still allows the use of virtual refresh rate techniques such as G-Sync/FreeSync syncing the monitor to the frame rate despite them being configured for fullscreen only. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Disable fullscreen optimizations for an executable|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | # Navigate to {{p|game}} and locate the executable of the game. | ||
+ | # {{Key|Right-click}} on the executable and select '''Properties'''. | ||
+ | # Open the '''Compatibility''' tab. | ||
+ | # Check '''Disable fullscreen optimizations''' and click '''OK'''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Notes''' | ||
+ | {{--}} On Windows 10 v1803 "April Update", some users might experience an issue while using an injector based on dxgi.dll where fullscreen optimizations are forcefully enabled despite being "disabled" because of the presence of that DLL file. Using another supported DLL filename for the injector works around the issue.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Aemony|date=2018-08-19|comment=I have now experienced this on two different systems, with both Special K and ReShade while injected into games using "dxgi.dll", despite fullscreen optimizations being disabled.}}</ref> | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Check if fullscreen optimizations are being used or not|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | # Enable the [[#Game bar|Game bar]] of Windows 10 and verify that it can be toggled using {{key|Win|G}}. | ||
+ | # Launch the particular game and configure it to run in '''exclusive fullscreen mode''', then restart the game. | ||
+ | # Allow the main menu of the game to appear, then click on {{key|Win|G}} and inspect the results: | ||
+ | #* '''If the screen flashes brightly twice''' the game is running in "classic" '''exclusive fullscreen mode''', and fullscreen optimizations are '''disabled'''. | ||
+ | #* '''If the [[#Game bar|Game bar]] appears''' fullscreen optimziations are '''enabled''' ''or'' the "fullscreen mode" of the game is actually just a misnamed borderless window mode (typically seen with [[Engine:Unity|Unity]]-based games). | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Notes''' | ||
+ | {{ii}} To verify whether the fullscreen mode of the game is "classic" exclusive fullscreen mode, or simply a borderless maximized window referred to as "fullscreen mode", a third-party tool such as [[Special K]] might be needed. | ||
+ | {{ii}} An alternative method to check if the [[#Game bar|Game bar]] is disabled is to use the volume media keys that some keyboards have. If the volume overlay appears, fullscreen optimizations are enabled. If it does not, fullscreen optimizations are disabled. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Game bar=== | ||
+ | The Game bar ({{key|Win|G}}) allows easy capture recording of gameplay screenshots and video while playing a game and is enabled by default in Windows 10. Unfortunately, some games suffer from sporadic but severe [[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)|FPS]] drops when the bar is enabled.<ref>[http://steamcommunity.com/app/730/discussions/0/350542145703363730/ How to fix CS 30 FPS cap after Windows 10 anniversary update! :: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive General Discussions]</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Toggle Game bar|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | # Open '''Settings''', click on '''Gaming''', and navigate to the '''Game bar''' page. | ||
+ | # Toggle '''Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar'''. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Toggle Game DVR background recording|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | # Open '''Settings''', click on '''Gaming''', and navigate to the '''Game DVR''' page. | ||
+ | # Toggle '''Record in the background while I'm playing a game'''. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Game Mode=== | ||
+ | {{++}} Game Mode allows the system to prioritize CPU and GPU resources to the game running in the foreground, and aims to provide an increase of overall frame rate, or peaks, as well as an increase of average frame rate, or consistency.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3161918/software-games/how-windows-10s-game-mode-will-make-your-pc-games-run-better.html|title=PCWorld - How Windows 10's Game Mode will make your PC games run better|date=2018-07-25}}</ref> | ||
+ | {{ii}} Benchmarks indicate the mode have a more profound (but still minimal) effect on computers running limited hardware.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3187171/windows/tested-windows-10s-game-mode-makes-unplayable-games-playable-sometimes.html|title=PCWorld - Tested: Windows 10's Game Mode makes unplayable games playable—sometimes|date=2018-07-25}}</ref> | ||
+ | {{mm}} Microsoft's official support article: [https://support.xbox.com/en-US/games/game-setup/use-game-mode-gaming-on-pc Use Game Mode while gaming on your PC] | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Toggle Game Mode for a game|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | # Launch the game. | ||
+ | # Open the '''Game Bar''' using {{key|Win|G}}. | ||
+ | # Use the '''Turn Game Mode on/off''' option (a speedometer icon) to toggle Game Mode. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Notes''' | ||
+ | {{ii}} The [[#Game bar|Game bar]] is not available for games running in ''exclusive fullscreen'' mode. For those games, temporarily change the display mode to windowed or borderless windowed mode and enable Game Mode, then change back to exclusive fullscreen mode. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Disable driver updates delivered through Windows Update=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Driver updates can only be disabled before they are actually downloaded/installed. | ||
+ | {{ii}} Not all driver updates will be listed at first, however they can be disabled gradually. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3073930/how-to-temporarily-prevent-a-driver-update-from-reinstalling-in-window How to temporarily prevent a driver update from reinstalling in Windows 10]}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Disable memory compression=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Change settings in Powershell|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | Search for the name Powershell in the system, and launch it as administrator via RBM. | ||
+ | Write: <code>Get-MMAgent</code> to check the current state of memory compression. If it's false, there is nothing to be done. It can be disabled by default while using SSD as system disk. To disable it, write: <code>Disable-MMAgent -mc</code> To enable, write <code>Enable-MMAgent -mc</code> | ||
+ | {{ii}} Disabling memory compression can increase application stability while using demanding games for CPU<ref>[https://www.dobreprogramy.pl/deton24/Dlaczego-moje-gry-sie-zacinaja-diagnostyka.-Ustawianie-pliku-wymiany.-ReadyBoost.-Testy-trybu-gry-i-kompresji-pamieci-w-Windows-10-porady,85501.html] Blog entry of memory compression tests</ref>. Although some games benefit from the memory compression enabled. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Turn on ReadyBoost=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Configure your pendrive in Computer to use with ReadyBoost|ref=|fix= | ||
+ | Plug in pendrive, and RBM on it in Computer, go to ReadyBoost, then click "Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost". Since now, game may stutter less on 4GB RAM configurations (mostly during intensive using HDD and page file during the game). Before playing, make sure that process System, SysMain, svhost.exe (LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p [can be closed in Resource Monitor], Windows Update, or others, stopped using disk (they can cause additional stuttering). | ||
+ | {{ii}} Pagefile on SSD (especially on other partition than game) outperforms ReadyBoost, hence the service will be unavailable on systems with SSD. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Backward compatibility== | ||
+ | ===Compatibility mode=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} See [[Windows Compatibility Mode|Windows Compatibility Mode]] for information on how to use the built-in backward compatibility mode of Windows. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===DOS compatibility=== | ||
+ | For modern versions of Windows (both 32-bit and 64-bit), it is recommended to use [[DOSBox]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ii}} If you're having trouble getting DOS games to run on older versions of NT (XP & 2000) checkout [http://www.sierrahelp.com The Sierra Help Pages]. | ||
+ | {{ii}} In the transition from Windows 9x to NT based versions, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_DOS_machine#Windows_NTVDM DOS compatibility was temporarily maintained], at least for 32-bit editions. | ||
==Issues unresolved== | ==Issues unresolved== | ||
<!-- Maybe we should have a separate page with features (relevant to gaming) added and removed across Windows versions, akin to wikipedia. Maybe a feature matrix. --> | <!-- Maybe we should have a separate page with features (relevant to gaming) added and removed across Windows versions, akin to wikipedia. Maybe a feature matrix. --> | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
===Screen recorders, overlays, injectors won't work with Windows Apps=== | ===Screen recorders, overlays, injectors won't work with Windows Apps=== | ||
See [[Windows Store#Issues unresolved|Windows Store]] article for this and other Windows Apps related issues. | See [[Windows Store#Issues unresolved|Windows Store]] article for this and other Windows Apps related issues. | ||
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# The game should now see the .dll and play normally. | # The game should now see the .dll and play normally. | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===DirectDraw is broken=== | ||
+ | This issue actually first materialized in 8.1,<ref>https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/games_windows_10/directdraw-emulation-still-broken-in-windows-10/5a619148-cf1e-4813-b733-997b996b9567</ref> unfortunately there is little more that can be done than use a DDraw wrapper: | ||
+ | * [https://www.dxgl.info DXGL] | ||
+ | * [https://fdossena.com/?p=wined3d/index.frag Wine3D for Win] | ||
+ | * [https://github.com/narzoul/DDrawCompat DDraw Compact] | ||
+ | * [https://code.google.com/archive/p/ddhack/ DDraw Hack] | ||
+ | * [http://bitpatch.com/ddwrapper.html DDWrapper] | ||
+ | * [https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxwnd/ DxWnd] | ||
+ | * [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/579-windows-881-ddraw-fps-fix/ DDRAW FPS Fix] | ||
+ | * [https://github.com/jarikomppa/dxwrapper dxwrapper] | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ii}} [http://dege.freeweb.hu DgVoodoo 2], a glide wrapper, also has a DDraw wrapper built-in. | ||
+ | {{ii}} Direct3D 8 has a very similar issue on 8.1 and later as well<ref>https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=47772</ref>, however the ddraw wrappers (with an exception to the ones that include a d3d8.dll) do not fix the issue as D3D8 doesn't use ddraw, being the first version of DirectX to deprecate it. Instead use [https://www.vogons.org/download/file.php?id=40791&sid=194009d3f6320aa046542761a6b7e2a1 a patched d3d8.dll], the [http://enbdev.com/download_convertor_dx8todx9.htm DX8 to DX9 convertor] or the [https://github.com/crosire/d3d8to9/releases d3d8to9] wrapper. | ||
+ | {{ii}} Users of Windows Vista and on-wards actually benefit from a DDraw wrapper due to it no longer being hardware accelerated on such systems, however the built-in DDraw wasn't completely broken until 8.1. | ||
===Older games refuse to start on Windows 8 and later=== | ===Older games refuse to start on Windows 8 and later=== | ||
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===Force CPU affinity=== | ===Force CPU affinity=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Prevents processes from using other CPU cores than the ones allowed, which can work around threading synchronization issues that might exist. | ||
+ | |||
{{Fixbox|description=Provisional solution: Task manager|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Provisional solution: Task manager|fix= | ||
− | # Open Windows [[#Task Manager|Task Manager]] | + | # Open Windows [[#Task Manager|Task Manager]]. |
− | # Find | + | # Find process for the application by {{Key|Right-click}} on its task and press '''Go to process/details'''. |
− | # Right click on the process | + | # {{Key|Right-click}} on the process and select '''Set affinity'''. |
− | # | + | # Deselect all other CPU cores than the ones the process should be allowed to run on. If you want to prevent the process from using Intel's Hyper-Threading (HT) or AMD's Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) CPU cores then deselect all odd CPU cores (so 1, 3, 5, 7, etc). |
− | + | # Click '''OK''' to apply the change. It will take effect immediately. | |
+ | |||
+ | '''Notes''' | ||
+ | {{ii}} Task Manager does not store the tweak permanently. It needs to be reapplied each time the process launches. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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{{ii}} Additional parameters can be normally added at the end of the target field | {{ii}} Additional parameters can be normally added at the end of the target field | ||
{{ii}} Affinity value must be in hex. To assign more than a core check this [http://blogs.msdn.com/b/santhoshonline/archive/2011/11/24/how-to-launch-a-process-with-cpu-affinity-set.aspx table] | {{ii}} Affinity value must be in hex. To assign more than a core check this [http://blogs.msdn.com/b/santhoshonline/archive/2011/11/24/how-to-launch-a-process-with-cpu-affinity-set.aspx table] | ||
+ | {{ii}} For e.g. 1+2+3 (so without Core 0) cores/threads setting on application launch, the .bat is following: | ||
+ | <code>Start /affinity E app.exe</code> | ||
+ | "E" is a hex value. To set it manually, just add corresponding "Associated value(s) (n)" from [https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/santhoshonline/2011/11/24/how-to-launch-a-process-with-cpu-affinity-set/ here] and convert it to hex value (third option [https://www.calculator.net/hex-calculator.html?d2bnumber1=14&calctype=d2b&x=84&y=15#decimal2hex here]) | ||
}} | }} | ||
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===Codec hell=== | ===Codec hell=== | ||
{{Fixbox|description=Reset DirectShow filters|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Reset DirectShow filters|fix= | ||
− | # Download and open [http://www. | + | # Download and open [http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Codec-Packs-Video-Codecs/DirectShow-Filter-Manager.shtml DirectShow Filter Manager] |
# Go to the Troubleshooting tab | # Go to the Troubleshooting tab | ||
# Select ''Restore standard DirectX codecs'' | # Select ''Restore standard DirectX codecs'' | ||
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}} | }} | ||
− | ===Non- | + | ===Non-Unicode applications might not work properly=== |
− | {{ii}} This is most commonly issue with Japanese games and visual novels | + | {{ii}} This is most commonly an issue with Japanese games and visual novels, and may prevent a game from being installed, launched, or even work properly (may have scrambled text or bugs). |
− | {{ii}} | + | {{++}} Locale Emulator/Microsoft AppLocale runs the application with the correct localization without affecting the rest of the operating system. |
− | {{ | + | |
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use Locale Emulator|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Developed primarily for Windows 10, although it is also compatible with both 7 and 8.1. | ||
+ | {{--}} Supports only 32-bit executables. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Instructions''' | ||
+ | # Download [https://pooi.moe/Locale-Emulator/ Locale Emulator] and extract the archive to where you want the application to be installed. | ||
+ | # Run {{file|LEInstaller.exe}} and select '''Install for current user'''. | ||
+ | # After the installation have finished, use {{file|LEGUI.exe}} to set up desired localization profiles. | ||
+ | # Finally, right-click on a 32-bit executable (or its shortcut) and select the desired profile under the '''Locale Emulator''' context menu. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
{{Fixbox|description=Use Microsoft AppLocale|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Use Microsoft AppLocale|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Might not work on modern versions of Windows as the tool have not been updated since 2004. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Instructions''' | ||
# Download Microsoft AppLocale [https://web.archive.org/web/20050115055602/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8c4e8e0d-45d1-4d9b-b7c0-8430c1ac89ab&displaylang=en here] and install it. | # Download Microsoft AppLocale [https://web.archive.org/web/20050115055602/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8c4e8e0d-45d1-4d9b-b7c0-8430c1ac89ab&displaylang=en here] and install it. | ||
#* With Windows versions after XP installation will fail. Simply put installer to XP SP3 compatibility mode to continue. | #* With Windows versions after XP installation will fail. Simply put installer to XP SP3 compatibility mode to continue. | ||
− | # Open AppLocale follow instructions. It should automatically detect programs language. | + | # Open AppLocale follow instructions. It should automatically detect programs language. |
}} | }} | ||
− | {{Fixbox|description=Change non- | + | |
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Change non-Unicode language system-wide|ref=<ref>[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-system-locale Change the system locale - Windows Help]</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Easiest way to fix the issue, but may introduce unwanted changes to other programs; especially if the display language of Windows is non-English. This includes some basic characters being incorrectly replaced, programs defaulting to set non-Unicode language and other programs suddenly not being able to launch or crash. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Instructions''' | ||
# Go to Control Panel, Clock, Language and Region and Regional and Language Options. | # Go to Control Panel, Clock, Language and Region and Regional and Language Options. | ||
− | # From Administrative tab change non-unicode language. | + | # From Administrative tab change non-unicode language to the country/localization the game originated from. |
# Restart computer for changes to take effect. | # Restart computer for changes to take effect. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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}} | }} | ||
− | == | + | ===Microsoft removed the MIDI Mapper=== |
− | + | {{ii}} Over the last versions of Windows, Microsoft have slowly but steadily depreciated the original Microsoft MIDI Mapper of Windows. | |
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use the [https://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/midimapper CoolSoft MIDIMapper]|ref=<ref>http://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/blog/2013/03/what-happened-midi-mapper-windows-8</ref>}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===SafeDisc protected games do not work with Windows 10=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} '''This exposes the system to known security vulnerabilities, and can make the system more susceptible to malicious attacks.''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Previous versions of Windows included a compatible version of {{file|secdrv.sys}} for Macrovision [[DRM#SafeDisc|SafeDisc DRM]]; Windows 10 does not, rendering games protected by SafeDisc unplayable. According to a Microsoft representative "Safedisc is not supported on Windows 10" and people will have to wait for Trymedia to come out with an updated kernel driver, something which is impossible as official SafeDisc support was dropped on March 30, 2009.<ref>[http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/games_windows_10/age-of-mythology-windows-10/c7142024-8298-4060-aeb8-0e77d9d83af7 Microsoft Community Forums :: Age of Mythology - Windows 10]</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219231330/http://trymedia.com:80/safedisc-advanced.html|title=SafeDisc End-of-Life Notice - Trymedia - Wayback Machine|date=2018-07-26}}</ref> However a workaround is to obtain and install the kernel driver from an older version of Windows, as described below. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Install SafeDisc drivers from a previous version of Windows|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KyoriAsh|date=2018-07-19}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | # Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/1154-safediscforwin10zip/ necessary files]. | ||
+ | # Extract to any path except directly to {{code|{{path|windir}}\system32\drivers}}. | ||
+ | # Copy {{file|secdrv.sys}} to {{code|{{path|windir}}\system32\drivers}}. | ||
+ | # Import {{file|secdrv.reg}} to Windows registry. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Microstuttering in Multiplayer games=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} The Multimedia Class Scheduler Service has built-in network throttling which can greatly degrade performance of online games. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Edit the registry|ref=<ref>http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/31980-lag-online-games-windows-7-a.html</ref><ref>http://forum.sudden-strike-alliance.fr/all-problem-with-lag-on-windows-7-and-10-t2807.html</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | #Go to <code>{{p|hklm}}\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Multimedia\SystemProfile</code> | ||
+ | #There will be an entry for network performance throttling, default value is 10 or a; set it to FFFFFFFF (will look like 0xFFFFFFFF to the right of the entry). '''Windows Vista and 7 users can stop here'''. | ||
+ | #There will be an entry for system responsiveness, default value is 20; Set it to 00000000 for pure gaming/streaming. | ||
+ | #Go down the registry tree further to <code>{{p|hklm}}\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Multimedia\SystemProfile\Tasks\Games</code> | ||
+ | #There will be an entry for priority and GPU priority; set GPU to 8 and priority to 6. | ||
+ | #Reboot | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===WiFi background scan causes latency=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} WiFi adapters periodically perform background scans to discover additional networks. Unfortunately this induces latency, see [https://blog.mojonetworks.com/background-scanning-is-dead here] for more info. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Universal solution|ref=<ref>https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking/is-there-any-way-to-stop-windows-10-from-scanning/3870b3d1-0f07-4875-8779-bb5c11fce0a8</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | Use [http://www.martin-majowski.de/ WLAN Optimizer]. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Atheros adapters|ref=<ref name="scan">https://superuser.com/questions/881880/turn-off-wi-fi-scanning-on-windows-8</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | #go to the Control Panel | ||
+ | #choose Networks and Sharing -> Change Adapter Settings (in the left column) | ||
+ | #choose your Wi-Fi adapter -> right click -> Properties | ||
+ | #click Configure (under "Connect Using") | ||
+ | #go to the Advanced tab -> search for the following options | ||
+ | #Background Scan - set to Disabled | ||
+ | #Foreground Scan - set to Disabled | ||
+ | }} | ||
− | {{ | + | {{Fixbox|description=intel adapters|ref=<ref name="scan" />|fix= |
− | + | #type ncpa.cpl into the Windows search box (or type it in the start menu). | |
+ | #this pops up the Network Connections control panel, and a laptop/desktop user will probably see Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters in there. | ||
+ | #right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter icon and select Properties | ||
+ | #click the Configure button on the driver property page | ||
+ | #on the Advanced tab, scroll down the Property list and set Roaming Aggressiveness to 1. Lowest | ||
+ | #click OK to all the settings pages you've just opened | ||
+ | }} | ||
==Other information== | ==Other information== | ||
− | === | + | ===Install the bundled games of Windows 7 on newer versions=== |
− | + | {{ii}} While Microsoft haven't made the games bundled with older versions of Windows easily accessible to newer versions of the operating system, it is still possible to download and install these due to efforts from the community to make them compatible with newer versions of Windows. | |
− | + | {{Fixbox|description=[https://winaero.com/blog/get-windows-7-games-for-windows-10/ Download and install the desired games from this article.]|fix= | |
− | {{ | + | The package includes the following games from Windows 7: |
+ | * [[Chess Titans]] | ||
+ | * [[FreeCell]] | ||
+ | * [[Hearts]] | ||
+ | * [[Mahjong Titans]] | ||
+ | * [[Minesweeper (Vista)|Minesweeper]] | ||
+ | * [[Purple Place]] | ||
+ | * [[Solitaire]] | ||
+ | * [[Spider Solitaire]] | ||
+ | * [[Internet Backgammon]] | ||
+ | * [[Internet Checkers]] | ||
+ | * [[Internet Spades]] | ||
+ | }} | ||
===Speed up loading of web pages in Windows=== | ===Speed up loading of web pages in Windows=== |
Revision as of 15:53, 10 September 2018
Developers | |
---|---|
Microsoft | |
Release dates | |
Windows | November 20, 1985 |
Key points
- The most popular and widely supported family of operating system among PC gamers.
- Backward compatibility is high, with newer versions of the operating system capable of running decades old software with minimal issues.
- Have transitioned over to periodical major upgrades biannually since the introduction of Windows 10.
Resources
- Official support
- Windows 10 Update history
- Microsoft Update Catalog - Allows for manual download of updates or device drivers. See related KB article.
Communities
- Microsoft Community - Official community for everything related to Microsoft
- /r/windows10 - Subreddit dedicated to Windows 10
- /r/windows - Subreddit dedicated to Windows in general
General
Command Prompt
The Command Prompt is the command-line interpreter provided by Microsoft for Windows systems and is the not-as-powerful equivalent of the shell in Linux and Mac OS. It can be accessed by going to 'run' and typing 'cmd.exe' or by running a 'Batch file'.
Admin Command Prompt
Windows 8 and later |
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Task Manager
The Task Manager is an application built into Windows that allows for the managing running processes as well as providing information about computer performance.
It can be accessed by any of the following ways:
- Right-click on the taskbar of Windows and select Task Manager.
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Task Manager.
- Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc to open it directly.
Device Manager
The Device Manager is an application built into Windows that allows for the management of device drivers. It can be accessed from the Control Panel.
Registry Editor
The Registry Editor allows users to edit the Windows registry. It can be accessed by going to 'run' and typing 'Regedit.exe'.
Basic Editing |
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Advanced Search |
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Notes
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Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
A Blue Screen of Death (a.k.a BSOD or Bluescreen) is an error screen that Windows produces when it encounters an error that it cannot recover from.
DirectX
DirectX is a collection of APIs for Windows that allows programs to interact directly with hardware.
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework for Windows that is required for games built in .NET-aware languages (such as C# or Visual Basic), including those that use XNA. Different games may require different versions of .NET Framework. A list with download links to all versions may be found on MSDN. Windows 8 and 10 users may want to read this.
DLLs
DLL stands for "Dynamic Link Library". DLL files (.dll) are Windows exclusive library files containing code and data that can be used over several applications.
While they can save time for developers, these files can cause problems for the end-user (commonly referred to as "DLL Hell").
Windows 10
Fullscreen optimizations
- Available for DirectX 9 and above; automatically engaged.
- Optimizations combining the benefits of classic exclusive fullscreen mode with that of borderless window mode, by utilizing flip model presentation in a maximized borderless window.
- Have been known to cause frame pacing issues with some games.
- Despite information stated elsewhere online, there is currently no built-in way of system-wide disabling fullscreen optimizations for all executables in Windows 10 v1803 "April Update". Previously, settings existed tied to this in Settings > Gaming > Game bar settings page, but this is no longer the case pending a move to the Display settings > Graphics settings subpage.
Windows 10 (v1703 "Creators Update" and later) includes optimizations to the classic exclusive fullscreen mode that attempts to convert games running in the "classic" exclusive fullscreen mode into using borderless window mode with flip model presentation instead. This optimization is completely transparent to the game, and the game and injected tools (such as Special K) will believe and report that the game is running in exclusive fullscreen mode. This allows the use of Windows 10's Game bar as well as other system overlays in games that otherwise would not support them. A side-effect of the flip model presentation used is that it still allows the use of virtual refresh rate techniques such as G-Sync/FreeSync syncing the monitor to the frame rate despite them being configured for fullscreen only.
Disable fullscreen optimizations for an executable |
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Notes
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Check if fullscreen optimizations are being used or not |
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Notes
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Game bar
The Game bar (⊞ Win+G) allows easy capture recording of gameplay screenshots and video while playing a game and is enabled by default in Windows 10. Unfortunately, some games suffer from sporadic but severe FPS drops when the bar is enabled.[2]
Toggle Game bar |
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Toggle Game DVR background recording |
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Game Mode
- Game Mode allows the system to prioritize CPU and GPU resources to the game running in the foreground, and aims to provide an increase of overall frame rate, or peaks, as well as an increase of average frame rate, or consistency.[3]
- Benchmarks indicate the mode have a more profound (but still minimal) effect on computers running limited hardware.[4]
- Microsoft's official support article: Use Game Mode while gaming on your PC
Toggle Game Mode for a game |
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Notes
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Disable driver updates delivered through Windows Update
- Driver updates can only be disabled before they are actually downloaded/installed.
- Not all driver updates will be listed at first, however they can be disabled gradually.
How to temporarily prevent a driver update from reinstalling in Windows 10 |
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Disable memory compression
Change settings in Powershell |
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Search for the name Powershell in the system, and launch it as administrator via RBM.
Write:
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Turn on ReadyBoost
Configure your pendrive in Computer to use with ReadyBoost |
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Plug in pendrive, and RBM on it in Computer, go to ReadyBoost, then click "Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost". Since now, game may stutter less on 4GB RAM configurations (mostly during intensive using HDD and page file during the game). Before playing, make sure that process System, SysMain, svhost.exe (LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p [can be closed in Resource Monitor], Windows Update, or others, stopped using disk (they can cause additional stuttering).
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Backward compatibility
Compatibility mode
- See Windows Compatibility Mode for information on how to use the built-in backward compatibility mode of Windows.
DOS compatibility
For modern versions of Windows (both 32-bit and 64-bit), it is recommended to use DOSBox.
- If you're having trouble getting DOS games to run on older versions of NT (XP & 2000) checkout The Sierra Help Pages.
- In the transition from Windows 9x to NT based versions, DOS compatibility was temporarily maintained, at least for 32-bit editions.
Issues unresolved
Screen recorders, overlays, injectors won't work with Windows Apps
See Windows Store article for this and other Windows Apps related issues.
Issues fixed
Alt F4 doesn't terminate frozen applications
Use SuperF4 |
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Older Games Missing .dll File on Windows Vista and later
- Some .dll files have different names on Windows Vista and later.
Copy DLL to folder |
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DirectDraw is broken
This issue actually first materialized in 8.1,[6] unfortunately there is little more that can be done than use a DDraw wrapper:
- DgVoodoo 2, a glide wrapper, also has a DDraw wrapper built-in.
- Direct3D 8 has a very similar issue on 8.1 and later as well[7], however the ddraw wrappers (with an exception to the ones that include a d3d8.dll) do not fix the issue as D3D8 doesn't use ddraw, being the first version of DirectX to deprecate it. Instead use a patched d3d8.dll, the DX8 to DX9 convertor or the d3d8to9 wrapper.
- Users of Windows Vista and on-wards actually benefit from a DDraw wrapper due to it no longer being hardware accelerated on such systems, however the built-in DDraw wasn't completely broken until 8.1.
Older games refuse to start on Windows 8 and later
Install DirectPlay |
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Note: Normally Windows 8+ automatically detects if an application needs DirectPlay or other legacy components when it launches and prompts the user to install DirectPlay, but this requires a certain combination of services to be active such as the Diagnostic Policy Service which are sometimes disabled by the user. |
Force CPU affinity
- Prevents processes from using other CPU cores than the ones allowed, which can work around threading synchronization issues that might exist.
Provisional solution: Task manager |
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Notes
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Permanent solution: customized shortcut |
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Notes
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Permanent solution: flag game executable |
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Notes
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Use PsExec |
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Notes
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Use RunFirst |
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Notes
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4-Gigabyte Tuning
Windows XP and Server 2003 (x86 only): edit boot configuration file[8] |
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Windows Vista and later (x86 only): edit boot configuration database[9] |
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Notes |
Force IMAGE_FILE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE flag in executables |
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Notes
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Shoddy coded applications mess system-wide registry setting
Edit key ACL |
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Notes
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Codec hell
Reset DirectShow filters |
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Notes
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Missing codecs
Install ffdshow[13] |
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QuickTime for Windows is no more[citation needed] |
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Game files missing after upgrading or refreshing Windows
- Upgrading or refreshing your Windows installation will move some files and folders to a
Windows.old
folder on the system drive.
Retrieve files from windows.old[14] |
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Non-Unicode applications might not work properly
- This is most commonly an issue with Japanese games and visual novels, and may prevent a game from being installed, launched, or even work properly (may have scrambled text or bugs).
- Locale Emulator/Microsoft AppLocale runs the application with the correct localization without affecting the rest of the operating system.
Use Locale Emulator |
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Instructions
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Use Microsoft AppLocale |
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Instructions
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Change non-Unicode language system-wide[15] |
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Instructions
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IPX protocol deprecated
- IPX was a LAN protocol commonly used with older programs, especially games. Unfortunately it was removed entirely from Vista and later with no indication of returning.
Try a wrapper[citation needed] |
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Try one of the following:
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Copy support files from Windows XP[16] |
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What you need: a working installation of Windows XP sp2. Step 1. Ctrate a new folder c:\temp Step 2. Copy the following files to the directory c:\temp *and* to the corrsponding vista directories: Note: You might need to open up an "elevated" command prompt, "run as administrator", (to get write access to directories). Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnkipx.sys Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnkflt.sys Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnkfwd.sys Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnknb.sys Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnkspx.sys Windows\System32\rtipxmib.dll Windows\System32\wshisn.dll Windows\System32\nwprovau.dll Windows\inf\netnwlnk.inf (*) Windows\inf\netnwlnk.pnf (*) (*) The directory "inf" is hidden Step 3. Go to "manage network connection" (in control panel-> network). Right click your LAN adapter connection, click "install", "protocol", "Add", Do not select the IPX that is already in the list, be sure to select "have disk". Navigate to "c:\temp" and select file "netnwlnk.inf", now select "WLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS". You will get a warning it's not verifyable, install anyway (or not..). If you get an error message about a missing module, you forgot to copy the above files to the windows 7 directories. Step 4. Reboot computer.
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Lowered volume when using background Metro/UWP apps
Instructions[citation needed] |
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Microsoft removed the MIDI Mapper
- Over the last versions of Windows, Microsoft have slowly but steadily depreciated the original Microsoft MIDI Mapper of Windows.
Use the CoolSoft MIDIMapper[17] |
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SafeDisc protected games do not work with Windows 10
- This exposes the system to known security vulnerabilities, and can make the system more susceptible to malicious attacks.
Previous versions of Windows included a compatible version of secdrv.sys
for Macrovision SafeDisc DRM; Windows 10 does not, rendering games protected by SafeDisc unplayable. According to a Microsoft representative "Safedisc is not supported on Windows 10" and people will have to wait for Trymedia to come out with an updated kernel driver, something which is impossible as official SafeDisc support was dropped on March 30, 2009.[18][19] However a workaround is to obtain and install the kernel driver from an older version of Windows, as described below.
Install SafeDisc drivers from a previous version of Windows[20] |
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Microstuttering in Multiplayer games
- The Multimedia Class Scheduler Service has built-in network throttling which can greatly degrade performance of online games.
Edit the registry[21][22] |
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WiFi background scan causes latency
- WiFi adapters periodically perform background scans to discover additional networks. Unfortunately this induces latency, see here for more info.
Universal solution[23] |
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Use WLAN Optimizer. |
Atheros adapters[24] |
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intel adapters[24] |
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Other information
Install the bundled games of Windows 7 on newer versions
- While Microsoft haven't made the games bundled with older versions of Windows easily accessible to newer versions of the operating system, it is still possible to download and install these due to efforts from the community to make them compatible with newer versions of Windows.
Download and install the desired games from this article. |
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The package includes the following games from Windows 7: |
Speed up loading of web pages in Windows
- Windows ships with Automatically detect settings enabled by default for compatibility reasons. This option allows automatic configuration of Internet connectivity in networks that supports it by using the DNS or DHCP services of the network. However support for this type of automatic configuration is almost only found within corporate or academic networks, and the feature is as such not usually required for home or small network users.
- The feature have in some instances been found to add noticeable delays when loading content from the Internet, and is therefor recommended to be disabled unless the network requires it.
- Disabling this feature affects all applications that relies on the internal IE subsystem of Windows, such as Google Chrome, Steam, and more.
Instructions[25] |
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Notes
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References
- ↑ Verified by User:Aemony on 2018-08-19
- I have now experienced this on two different systems, with both Special K and ReShade while injected into games using "dxgi.dll", despite fullscreen optimizations being disabled.
- ↑ How to fix CS 30 FPS cap after Windows 10 anniversary update! :: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive General Discussions
- ↑ PCWorld - How Windows 10's Game Mode will make your PC games run better - last accessed on 2018-07-25
- ↑ PCWorld - Tested: Windows 10's Game Mode makes unplayable games playable—sometimes - last accessed on 2018-07-25
- ↑ [1] Blog entry of memory compression tests
- ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/games_windows_10/directdraw-emulation-still-broken-in-windows-10/5a619148-cf1e-4813-b733-997b996b9567
- ↑ https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=47772
- ↑ /3GB (Windows Drivers) - Microsoft Developer Network
- ↑ BCDEdit /set (Windows Drivers) - Microsoft Developer Network
- ↑ The oft-misunderstood /3GB switch – The Old New Thing
- ↑ Kernel address space consequences of the /3GB switch – The Old New Thing
- ↑ Windows Vista File and Registry Virtualisation – Richard's Weblog
- ↑ Tomb Raider 6 Modding Thread - www.tombraiderforums.com
- ↑ Retrieve files from the Windows.old folder - Microsoft Windows Help
- ↑ Change the system locale - Windows Help
- ↑ https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/82727f50-9e1b-4fcf-8a38-e45567938ec4/ipx-on-windows-7?forum=w7itpronetworking
- ↑ http://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/blog/2013/03/what-happened-midi-mapper-windows-8
- ↑ Microsoft Community Forums :: Age of Mythology - Windows 10
- ↑ SafeDisc End-of-Life Notice - Trymedia - Wayback Machine - last accessed on 2018-07-26
- ↑ Verified by User:KyoriAsh on 2018-07-19
- ↑ http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/31980-lag-online-games-windows-7-a.html
- ↑ http://forum.sudden-strike-alliance.fr/all-problem-with-lag-on-windows-7-and-10-t2807.html
- ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking/is-there-any-way-to-stop-windows-10-from-scanning/3870b3d1-0f07-4875-8779-bb5c11fce0a8
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 https://superuser.com/questions/881880/turn-off-wi-fi-scanning-on-windows-8
- ↑ Reddit Gaming Subreddit - Make Big Picture Quicker