Windows Optimizer version 3.4 released

[German]Brief note for users of Windows10 XP and successor versions. There is a small project of German Windows users and software developers, who work on the optimization of Windows. The result is the Windows Optimizer (also available for English users). I have been following the project on the sidelines in its Facebook group. Now René Bengsch, who is a major contributor to the development, has submitted the 2022/2023 winter update for Windows Optimizer version 3.4.

The first question readers are sure to ask revolves around what this Windows Optimizer is actually for. Too often, the "optimizing" in the Windows environment by tools has turned into a negative, because something was twisted and it then came to malfunctions. Therefore I would like to point out in advance: Use at your own risk and only if you understand what it's all about. A backup of the system before using the optimizer ist recommended.

The development of the Windows Optimizer around René Bengsch is a hobby and community project on Facebook, where no company pursues own interests. The software is therefore free of charge. But every user has to decide for himself whether he wants to go on the optimization track or not.

What does the Windows Optimizer do?

The first question is what the tool actually does and what you can use it for. I took a look at the FAQ of the Facebook group in question and pulled out the relevant information.

• The developers' approach is: It doesn't matter how much memory a system has. Windows is always installed the same way by default.
• All Windows caches are adapted to the minimum requirements of the respective Windows version – a hardware query does not take place.

The Windows Optimizer automatically adjusts various Windows caches, i.e. memory areas as well as the swap file size, to the available hardware (e.g. RAM). This makes Windows noticeably faster and also runs much more stable with complex and very memory-intensive applications.

Microsoft gives a lot of recommendations on its support pages. The developers of Windows Optimizer have taken this on board and use the values recommended by Microsoft in the formulas for calculating the size of the caches.

Furthermore, all Windows energy-saving plans are configured by the optimizer. In addition, the new "hidden" energy-saving plan "Ultimate Performance" for high-end systems is enabled. The whole thing is configured and activated as "Rocket Boost" to disable energy saving mechanisms that affect performance.

From the Windows Optimizer, various features that are not present in all Windows versions by default are also unlocked. It also optimizes various Windows interface settings, speeds up animations, and creates a few additional context menu items like "Clean Drive", "Optimize Drive" via right-click on a disk, or "System Settings", "Control Panel", "All Tasks", "Change Power Plan", or "Task Manager" via right-click on the desktop.

Applications can be started with different priorities via right-click. As a last point, most "optimizations" made by great "tuning tools" are undone or reset to safe and Microsoft recommended values.

Support from Windows XP upward

Windows Optimizer supports all Windows versions from Windows XP onwards and currently extends up to and including Windows 11. Its beginnings date back to 2006.  A team of testers takes care of each update before it is released and tests it extensively on each system.

The Windows Optimizer is run and developed as a community project in a Facebook group around René Bengsch. On DropBox there is a detailed readme.txt (currently in German, use deepl.com to translate) about the project and the optimizer, which answers many questions. In the readme there is also a link to the corresponding Facebook group. Here is an excerpt from the changelog of the current version 3.4.01 (Beta1) (Current release!)

• From now on, missing or outdated DirectX runtime components can be installed and updated directly via the WINDOWS OPTIMIZER (optional, experimental).
• All desktop heap memory areas are again significantly extended, the number of maximum possible threats is doubled to further improve throughput, latencies and response time for input within Windows.
• Complete configuration of hiberfil.sys – The file is now automatically perfectly adapted to the installed hardware.
• Annoying notifications for Edge are disabled to prevent advertising spam.
  Process priority and throughput increased for the following web browsers: chrome.exe/ firefox.exe/ iexplorer.exe/ msedge.exe/ seamonkey.exe/ opera.exe/ tor.exe (more to come)
• Windows Network Data Usage Monitoring Driver (ndu.sys) autostart is disabled, which significantly improves system performance and data throughput.
• The autostart of the Windows Input Experience Service (Virtual Keyboard) is disabled by default, which slightly improves the system performance and data throughput of Explorer.exe. If Virtual Keyboard is enabled in Windows Manual, the process automatically restarts.
  The latter possibly goes back to my article Windows 11: Input Experience consumes 20% CPU power in File Explorer, which was picked up by the developers.
• Windows service autostart needed for widgets is disabled until it is also needed by widgets.
• Windows updates are reset, restrictions of Windows updates by policy or by policy are removed, bandwidth for updates is adjusted to maximum bandwidth.
• The Microsoft Store cache is wiped clean and the Store and Store UI host are updated.
• The brand-new Windows 11 "News and interesting topics" feature in the taskbar is disabled.
• Windows 11 Insider builds will have the "System Requirements Not Met" message disabled.
• For security, all open applications will now be minimized BEFORE optimization.
• Minor adjustments to program code that benefit performance and stability.
• Various values within the registry that are set by other "tuning tools" will be reset to safe values as always

Furthermore some code cleanup is mentioned in the changelog. René writes that some third party anti-virus programs like AVAST, AVG, AVIRA, GDATA, KASPERSKY, MCAFEE etc. have to be disabled to run Visual Basic Script. The WINDOWS-OPTIMIZER v.3.4.01 (Beta1) can be downloaded via Dropbox.

• Dropbox direct link (RAR)
• Dropbox direct link (Without RAR)