Smaller and faster Windows


There are some open source projects that try to reduce the size of Windows and/or increase the speed for gaming.

If it is good for gaming, why not use them?


We have taken a look at Tiny11, Altas and ReviOS.


Disk usage:

We would use Tiny11 if we need space on the C drive. 
But over time, Windows updates are filling up your drive again.
So in the end the advantage is not that huge any more.


Speed:
For the speed improvement, we recommend to disable Windows features yourself instead of using Atlas or ReviOS.

We have not done benchmarks with GPU nor CPU renderer yet.
If you are doing some test, please let us know about the results.

Please use our Benchmark Suite for any easy test setup: https://binaryalchemy.de/babenchmark-suite.html



Please see this webpage for more details about using Tiny11, Altas and ReviOS:

https://binaryalchemy.de/smaller-and-faster.html



And this webpage is a recommendation for installing professional workstations:

https://binaryalchemy.de/professional-workstations.html






No app icons in start menu?

Windows 8 has introduced a new security features:  

Application icons from a network could come from anyone, are therefore a security issue and are disabled automatically.


You can enable them again via domain GPO policy:

run gpedit.msc

Computer configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/File Explorer/Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons




 Trusted Network


If you get this warning message,

then you have to change how windows

detects your local area network.



Please follow these steps:

  • Open the windows control panel
  • Choose "Internet Options".
  • Change to tab "Security".
  • Select the Icon "Local Intranet".
  • Click on the Button "Sites".
  • Click on the Button "Advanced"..
  • Add \\Your_Fileserver to the list. (replace "Your_Fileserver" with the name of the fileserver the RR files are on)


Note: This is a per user setting in windows.



Domain GPO:

If you are in a domain, then you should change this setting with a GPO:

1. Open GPMC in your Domain Controller. Create a GPO or use an existing GPO linked to the OU which contains all users.

2. Under User Configuration, expand Polices > Windows settings >Internet Explorer Maintenance >Security

3. Double click Security Zones and Content Ratings, then chose Import the current security zones and privacy settings.

4. Click Continue, then click Modify Settings.

5. In the Internet Properties windows chose Security tab, then click Local intranet, click Sites to add sites you want.

You might want to add your whole domain by adding your domain name, e.g. http://*.domain.local

 



How to pin an RR app to the taskbar?


Windows has some restrictions that dis-allow programs to be pinned to the taskbar.

There are cases in which programs on a network share are not allowed and/or if the executable file contains a reserved word (like help, control...).



Workaround:

  • First click with the right mouse button on the desktop.
  • In the context menu select "New" -> "Text Document":
  • Change the name of the text file into a meaningful front part (e.g.: "rrControl"), and - important - the file extension has to be ".exe".
    (If the file extension "txt" does not appear, previously deactivate in Windows Explorer via menu "Organize" -> "Folder and search options" -> tab "View" -> "Hide extension to known file types".)
  • Ignore the warning from Windows and answer the question:
    "Are you sure you want to change it?" with "Yes".
  • After that the icon has changed to a standard icon for EXE files.
  • Click on the file with the right mouse button. Now a menu item "Pin to Taskbar" appears. Choose this and a new icon appears in the taskbar.
  • Right-click on the icon in the taskbar and then again with the right mouse button on the "Program" (here: "rrControl"). In the context menu select "Properties"
  • Now change on tab "Shortcut" the "Target" to either the batch file ([RR]\win__rrControl.bat) or the executable ([RR]\bin\win\rrControl.exe)
  • The icon can now be selected with the button "Change Icon". Click on "Browse..." and select the executable ([RR]\bin\win\rrControl.exe)
  • The "fake program" text file on the desktop (here: "rrControl.exe") may be deleted. 
  • The new shortcut in the taskbar can be used immediately. However, the changed icon sometimes appears only after a reboot. 
    If the mouse hovers over the shortcut in the taskbar then the name appears as a "Tooltip" above the link.