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debs3759 · 27th Jan 2012, 19:06

I'm looking for a way of setting up a minimal install of Windows for systems that I benchmark. With XP, I used to be able to use something like XP Lite to remove unneeded components. Does anyone know anything similar for Windows 7?

Basically, all I need to be able to do is run benchmarks (CPU and GPU, including Direct X benchmarks), take screenshots, and save the screenshots on a USB stick (using Paint is good enough). I also need to be able to go online (to save results for 3D Mark and others) - I'll probably use google chrome for that, and don't need any other networking software to be running. The only reason for using Windows is because because most PC benchmarking software is written for it.

Also, a list of Windows standard device drivers and services, and what can be disabled without sacrificing performance, would be useful. I have seen them in the past but a quick search this afternoon didn't bring up anything particularly useful.

GoodBytes · 27th Jan 2012, 23:42

Heumm.. Windows 7 Embedded Systems?! You can't ask for less stuff. I think the next step is no GUI, and just command line.

I don't get why you want this, and I don't see any reason why application/games/benchmark, would magically be super fast. I get networking, and stuff. But with stuff like DirectX and OpenGL, which removes preatty much all the layers for dircet hardware access, like... well.. you can't be lower than that in term of trying to remove layers.

But if you absolutely want to:
-> Open Program and Features, (aka back in old Windows days: Add/Remove Programs), click on Turn Windows feature on or off on the side columns, and uncheck every box (note that Windows search bars will also disappear, and other things would disappear or may not function properly). Then you can start disabling all the services of Windows (you may want to keep SuperFectch, as this increases visual performance of the system), Go in Device Manager, go to your HDD, and under Policies, check the box Turn off-Windows write cache buffer flushing on the device.

Turn off pagefile.
And go under System Properties, select System Protection, And for each partition/drive that shows on the list, select it, and click on Configure button, on the panel that will show, click on Delete it, and Turn it off.

Set your Windows theme to Classic, and disable all visual effects.
Disconnect all USB devices, including USB wireless and Bluetooth (just keep keyboard and mouse). You can also disconnect Ethernet and disable the Network device, to ensure nothing happens on the back.

Also, disable UAC (search for "UAC" on the start menu search to get to the panel to disable it)

And now, restart your system, defrag (you can use O&O Defrag for really DEEP defrag (I explain how to use it on my post here: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=215380).

Of course... I highly do NOT recommend any of this, but I don't think you can go lower than this. I highly doubt that it will bring any significant performance increase.

debs3759 · 28th Jan 2012, 00:10

LOL, this is for getting good benchmark scores at extreme settings for recording on hwbot. I wouldn't use the system on a daily basis like that, it would be a separate partition on each system just for benchmarking.

Most of what you suggested I already do, but there are a couple of extra things there that I will try for my cut-down version. Drive speed should never be a problem as the drive isn't involved in most of my benchmark runs (and I use SATA 3 SSDs for my primary drive on my current systems).

My next benchmark run is with an A8-3870K when it arrives. The system is sat there just waiting for that

27th Jan 2012, 19:06	#1
debs3759 Was that a warranty I just broke? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,301	Cut down version of Windows for benchmarking? I'm looking for a way of setting up a minimal install of Windows for systems that I benchmark. With XP, I used to be able to use something like XP Lite to remove unneeded components. Does anyone know anything similar for Windows 7? Basically, all I need to be able to do is run benchmarks (CPU and GPU, including Direct X benchmarks), take screenshots, and save the screenshots on a USB stick (using Paint is good enough). I also need to be able to go online (to save results for 3D Mark and others) - I'll probably use google chrome for that, and don't need any other networking software to be running. The only reason for using Windows is because because most PC benchmarking software is written for it. Also, a list of Windows standard device drivers and services, and what can be disabled without sacrificing performance, would be useful. I have seen them in the past but a quick search this afternoon didn't bring up anything particularly useful.

27th Jan 2012, 23:42	#2
GoodBytes How many wifi's does it have? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 11,515	Heumm.. Windows 7 Embedded Systems?! You can't ask for less stuff. I think the next step is no GUI, and just command line. I don't get why you want this, and I don't see any reason why application/games/benchmark, would magically be super fast. I get networking, and stuff. But with stuff like DirectX and OpenGL, which removes preatty much all the layers for dircet hardware access, like... well.. you can't be lower than that in term of trying to remove layers. But if you absolutely want to: -> Open Program and Features, (aka back in old Windows days: Add/Remove Programs), click on Turn Windows feature on or off on the side columns, and uncheck every box (note that Windows search bars will also disappear, and other things would disappear or may not function properly). Then you can start disabling all the services of Windows (you may want to keep SuperFectch, as this increases visual performance of the system), Go in Device Manager, go to your HDD, and under Policies, check the box Turn off-Windows write cache buffer flushing on the device. Turn off pagefile. And go under System Properties, select System Protection, And for each partition/drive that shows on the list, select it, and click on Configure button, on the panel that will show, click on Delete it, and Turn it off. Set your Windows theme to Classic, and disable all visual effects. Disconnect all USB devices, including USB wireless and Bluetooth (just keep keyboard and mouse). You can also disconnect Ethernet and disable the Network device, to ensure nothing happens on the back. Also, disable UAC (search for "UAC" on the start menu search to get to the panel to disable it) And now, restart your system, defrag (you can use O&O Defrag for really DEEP defrag (I explain how to use it on my post here: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=215380). Of course... I highly do NOT recommend any of this, but I don't think you can go lower than this. I highly doubt that it will bring any significant performance increase. __________________ Nv GPU Pro - Automate your graphic card overclock base on what you run, reduce power and noise. Designed for Laptops and Desktops. Filled with features. Core i7 930 2.8GHz \| G.Skill Pi 6GB 1600MHz 7-5-7-24 1.5V \| Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD5 \| GeForce GTX 260 \| W.D Caviar Black 1TB \| Corsair AX750 \| Noctua NH-U12P \| Xonar Essence STX \| Win8 Pro 64-bit \| Dell U2410 - 1920x1200 \| OCZ Vertex 4 250GB

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28th Jan 2012, 00:10	#3
debs3759 Was that a warranty I just broke? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,301	LOL, this is for getting good benchmark scores at extreme settings for recording on hwbot. I wouldn't use the system on a daily basis like that, it would be a separate partition on each system just for benchmarking. Most of what you suggested I already do, but there are a couple of extra things there that I will try for my cut-down version. Drive speed should never be a problem as the drive isn't involved in most of my benchmark runs (and I use SATA 3 SSDs for my primary drive on my current systems). My next benchmark run is with an A8-3870K when it arrives. The system is sat there just waiting for that