Feedback re Tweaks for SSDs, Please

[Virgorising]

I would appreciate some feedback on the recommended tweaks below re SSDs. I did most of them when I installed my drive months back, but not all. (I never used hibernation or turn on system Restore anyhow.)

Thank U!

Reduce Page File SizeA)Hit Start and right-click on Computer and select Properties
B)On the left side of the window, click Advanced System Settings.
C)Under the Advanced tab, in the Performance section clickSettings…
D)Click the Advanced tab, and under Virtual Memory, ClickChange
E)Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
F)Highlight your SSD and underneath it, click the Custom Sizeradio button.
G)Under Initial size and Maximum size, type in 1024 and then click Set and click OK. You must reboot for this to take effect
Move your temp files to a Mechanical hard drive. (If Users Folder is being used on the SSD)
A)Hit Start and right-click on Computer and select Properties
B)On the left side of the window, click Advanced System Settings.
C)Under the Advanced tab, in the on the bottom click Environmental Variables…
D)Click on the variable TEMP then click Edit…
E)Under the Variable Value: box, enter in the new path you would like for your temp files, ex. \Temp Files\TEMP
F)Click on the variable TMP then click Edit…
G)Under the Variable Value: box, enter in the new path you would like for your temp files, ex. \Temp Files\TMP
H)Click Ok and you must reboot for this to take effect.

Disable HibernationA)Type cmd in the windows start menu search box, then right click on cmd.exe and choose Run as administrator.
B)In the command prompt type in powercfg –h off and hit enter. You must reboot for this to take effect.
Moving or Disabling Memory Dumps (Especially helpful for us overclockers)A) Hit Start and right-click on Computer and selectProperties.
B)On the left side of the window, click Advanced System Settings.
C)Under the Advanced tab, in the on the Startup and Recovery box, click Settings…
D)Under the System failure section, you will see Write debugging information and a dropdown box. To disable memory dumbs click the dropdown box and select (none)
E)If you would like to keep memory dumps change the path in the Dump file: box for example; \Temp Files\Memory Dumps\MEMORY.DMP
Disable Superfetch (SSDs are Fast enough to disable Superfetch to free up RAM)
a. In the Windows start menu search box, type regedit and hit enter.
b.Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters and you will see a Binary Value called EnablePrefetcher
c.Double click on EnablePrefetcher and change the value from 3 to 0.
d.You must reboot for this to take effect.


Disable Recycling Bin on your SSD
A)Right click on your Recycling Bin and click Properties.
B)Under Settings for selected location you will see a radio button calledDon’t move files to the Recycling Bin. Remove files immediately
when deleted. Click this radio button and click OK.


Enable Write Caching on your SSD
A)Open up your Computer. In Computer, right click on the drive that is your SSD and click Properties.
B)Click on the Hardware tab at the top.
C)Double click on the Disk Drive that is your SSD. Now in the new window click the Policies tab.
D)Under the Write-caching policy box, make sure Enable write caching on this device and Turn off Windows write-cache buffer flushing on the device are both checked. Now click OK and exit.


Disable Indexing on your SSD
A)Open up your Computer. In Computer, right click on the Drive that is your SSD and click Properties.
B)Click on the General tab at the top.
C)At the bottom you will see a box called Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties, uncheck this box and hitApply.
D)Make sure the radio button for Apply changes to the drive C, subfolders and files is selected and click OK.
E)You will be prompted with a window that says Error Applying Attributes, click Ignore All and it will disable indexing on all files on your SSD, this will take some time.
F)Click OK to close the window.


Disable Reliability Monitor (If OS in on SSD)
A)Type cmd in the windows start menu search box, then right click oncmd.exe and choose Run as administrator.
B)In the command prompt type in:
schtasks.exe /change /disable /tn \Microsoft\Windows\RAC\RacTaskand hit enter.
C)If you want to enable reliability monitor run the command:
schtasks.exe /change /enable /tn \Microsoft\Windows\RAC\RacTaskand hit enter.
D)If a SUCCESS message comes up after the command is entered then it worked.


I also made a guide to move users off of your OS drive to a different partition/drive For more SSD Tweaks to help reduce useless SSD writes, improve performance, and save more space Here

Web Browser Cache Managing for Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer

Firefox Cache

How to Move Disk Cache Location
A) Open Firefox and in the address bar type about:config and hit enter.
B) Click I'll be careful, I promise! Navigate tobrowser.cache.disk.capacity and then double click to edit the value. Enter in the amount of disk cache you would like to use for Firefox in Kilobytes. I use 30mb so I enter in 30000 and hit OK.
C) Right click on the web page and choose New then String. In the Preference name box add browser.cache.disk.parent_directory and hit OK. Under the browser.cache.disk.parent_directory box, enter in where your Firefox Cache location will be. I have mine set to STemp Files\Firefox Cache.

How to Disable Disk Cache and Use Ram Cache
A) Open Firefox and in the address bar type about:config and hit enter.
B) Click I'll be careful, I promise! Navigate to browser.cache.disk.enableand then double click to so that it is set to false.
C) Right click on the web page and choose New then String. In the Preference name box add cache.memory.capacity and hit OK. Undercache.memory.capacity, enter in the amount of RAM you would like to use in kilobytes. I use 30mb so you would enter 30000 in the box for that.

Chrome Cache

How to Move Disk Cache LocationA) Right click on the desired chrome shortcut and clickProperties.
B) Next to the Target: you will see the path for the chrome.exe location; after chrome.exe type in --disk-cache-dir="STempFiles\Chrome Cache"

*NOTE: STempFiles\Chrome Cache is an example, you would enter in where you want the chrome cache to be stored on your computer.​

How Change Disk Cache SizeA) Right click on the desired chrome shortcut and clickProperties.
B) Next to the Target: you will see the path for the chrome.exe location; after chrome.exe type in --disk-cache-size=1 --media-cache-size=1". This will change the maximum cache to 25mb.

*NOTE: If you want to edit Chrome to change the directory and cache size, it would look like this: --disk-cache-dir="STempFiles\Chrome Cache --disk-cache-size=1 --media-cache-size=1"​

 

[Revolution 11]

This is like seeing airplanes for the first time and insisting they fly only above highways at the speed limit.

Let me be the first to say that all of this is completely unnecessary. And if it is necessary, please get a better SSD.

 

[Virgorising]

This is like seeing airplanes for the first time and insisting they fly only above highways at the speed limit.

Let me be the first to say that all of this is completely unnecessary. And if it is necessary, please get a better SSD.

Wow. But even good SSDs are not inviolate Ninjas. I like to learn everything I can to potentiate the upside of.....EVERYTHING.

At one polarity, we have NECESSARY. At the other, NEVER NECESSARY.

Between the two, we often find nuances of "HELPFUL."

 

[Revolution 11]

Wow. But even good SSDs are not inviolate Ninjas. I like to learn everything I can to potentiate the upside of.....EVERYTHING.

At one polarity, we have NECESSARY. At the other, NEVER NECESSARY.

Between the two, we often find nuances of "HELPFUL."

Hey, I understand completely. I used to be the same, obsessing over every last detail, just being perfectionist in general. I probably am still to some degree.

But life is too short, the gain (if any) from tweaking SSDs is too small, and any major difference you notice is all in your head.

Better to waste your time watching YouTube videos.

 

[bbhaag]

I'm not sure where you found this guide at, but it seems sound. I reduced the page file and the hibernation file on my SSD. I also disabled superfetch.
Most of it looks good. There are a few things that go above and beyond but over all it looks pretty normal.

 

[Virgorising]

Hey, I understand completely. I used to be the same, obsessing over every last detail, just being perfectionist in general. I probably am still to some degree.

Interesting. But even that propensity has nuances, yes?

But life is too short, the gain (if any) from tweaking SSDs is too small, and any major difference you notice is all in your head.

Point better and more elegantly made now, taken in for perusal.

Better to waste your time watching YouTube videos.

lol. I never waste my time. Starting with purely moved to learn.

 

[Virgorising]

I'm not sure where you found this guide at, but it seems sound. I reduced the page file and the hibernation file on my SSD. I also disabled superfetch.
Most of it looks good. There are a few things that go above and beyond but over all it looks pretty normal.

U mean normal like MJ before he commenced off the chain self mutilation.:sneaky:

I did the basics U mention right off. Only found this recently and implemented a lot of the more arcane suggestions. If none has a downside---what I was interested in opinions on....I have no regrets, took very little time.

If someone brings data to fuel regrets....I will reverse things.

As for plane analogies....I chose a Crucial SSD not Boeing.:sneaky: Not to say Boeing makes anything inviolate either.

Thanks!

 

[Virgorising]

Ahah! Addendum:

I only just this second noticed....cause I just looked at the drive in My Computer for the first time since having implemented these arcane additional tweaks...including the ones to Pale Moon.....that the free space on my Crucial SSD, 240GBs went from 130GBs to 134 GBs! And, in the interval in question, I deleted nothing, ran no cleaners.

FOUR GBS OF MORE FREE SPACE.

That, boys and girls, is NO SMALL THING.:biggrin:

 

[John Connor]

This is like seeing airplanes for the first time and insisting they fly only above highways at the speed limit.

Let me be the first to say that all of this is completely unnecessary. And if it is necessary, please get a better SSD.

^This. Modern SSDs don't need any of these tweaks anymore. I do however disable indexing and don't use hibernation. System restore is a must for me and if the recycle bin is off it makes it easier to delete files you don't want deleted.

Have a look at my old G.Skill Sniper. Gets a licking and keeps on ticking. LOL

 

[john3850]

In the early days many people were using smaller 30-128gb ssd do to the cost.
Now in over four years these ssd have matured and these tweaks are no longer needed.

Last Sunday I replaced a 60gb m4 in my wife pc with a new spare 840 128 GB. that I purchased 18 months back for $65 and I had to undo most of the the tweaks.
Now I had remove all the user links to her mechanical hard drive.
My wifes 2500k is used way less then a half a hour a day so why waste money on a larger ssd drive.
I use a ram drive for all my temp and internet cache files for easier gabage collection.

 

[XavierMace]

In the early days many people were using smaller 30-128gb ssd do to the cost.
Now in over four years these ssd have matured and these tweaks are no longer needed.

Last Sunday I replaced a 60gb m4 in my wife pc with a new spare 840 128 GB. that I purchased 18 months back for $65 and I had to undo most of the the tweaks.
Now I had remove all the user links to her mechanical hard drive.
My wifes 2500k is used way less then a half a hour a day so why waste money on a larger ssd drive.
I use a ram file for all my temp and internet cache files for easier gabage collection.

They are also far more reliable. I turn off hibernation still, but that's pretty much it. Modern SSD are far more reliable than people make them out to be.

 

[Cerb]

Page file: I like 0. But, there is no need, unless you have a small SSD, and run low on space.

Move temp files: no. Get a decent sized SSD!!! If you need to do this, you got too small of an SSD. Today, they are cost-efficient enough to not dot hat.

Disable hibernation: if you don't use it, sure. Nothing to do w/ SSDs, unless you're really low on space.

Memory dumps: I don't get them, but I'd leave them alone if I did (so far, every BSOD my PC has had has been directly due to upgrading to buggy, usually WHQL, Forcewares, and Event Viewer's log of the situation was sufficient for that discovery).

Disabling Superfetch: yes, on 7, and Windows may or may not do it all by itself, after running WinSAT (it's benchmark-based, rather than rotational or not). But, 8+, it's a bit more complicated, and you'll at least want it on if you use hibernate.

Recycling bin: why bother?

Write caching: why did anyone ever disable it? It's the default for any OS drive, as has been since as far back as I can recall. Buffer flushing is not something you need to turn off. Leave it, unless you have some buggy Windows 3.x or 9x programs that run really slow.

Indexing: sure, and this may be done by Windows, like disabling of Superfetch. I like removing all but the start menu for indexing anyway, SSD or not, for faster folder browsing.

Disable RM/RAC: why?!

Move browser cache: again, no. If you need to do this, you should question why you bought an old generation OCZ--or worse--POS, and really need to get a newer drive.

Disable disk cache: outstanding tweak for HDDs, but all kinds of meh for SSDs.

 

[Essence_of_War]

These were all reasonable to do when capacities and write endurance was lower, and costs were high. Almost all of them are totally unnecessary now as modern SSDs have comparably huge capacities, and high write endurance . As long as you aren't filling them to capacity and/or using them in a workload they weren't intended for (continuous benchmarking, tossing them into an enterprise database server, etc) none of these tweaks are necessary, and most of them won't result in any visible improvement in performance.

The only one I'd consider is turning off hibernation if you don't ever hibernate your PC and maybe disabling superfetch, but windows usually does this by default anyway.

 

[mrpiggy]

The only thing I like tweaking anymore is having all the temp files for all users in one shared location on my PC's. Why? Simply because I hate that there is always a bunch of files and folders in there that a regular built-in cleanup in Windows won't delete (and no, built-in disk cleanup doesn't get them all). With them all in one place, I don't have to drill down to the user hidden folders to clean them out once every couple of weeks. Even having to clean them out is debateable, but I have just enough OCD in me to hate a folder full of non-sensical folders and files names that won't go away even if they occupy very little disk space..

The rest of the tweaks.. Waste of effort and time (and I'll even admit, likely even my OCD required temp folder tweak is a waste of time)...

 

[Revolution 11]

The only thing I like tweaking anymore is having all the temp files for all users in one shared location on my PC's. Why? Simply because I hate that there is always a bunch of files and folders in there that a regular built-in cleanup in Windows won't delete (and no, built-in disk cleanup doesn't get them all). With them all in one place, I don't have to drill down to the user hidden folders to clean them out once every couple of weeks. Even having to clean them out is debateable, but I have just enough OCD in me to hate a folder full of non-sensical folders and files names that won't go away even if they occupy very little disk space..

The rest of the tweaks.. Waste of effort and time (and I'll even admit, likely even my OCD required temp folder tweak is a waste of time)...

CCleaner could help your situation. I don't think it will get rid of all the temp folders but most are covered automatically.

Also, in response to Cerb, I would not delete the page file even if there is very little space, I consider the page file and the recycle bin to be important enough that you should rarely tweak them. Some programs tend to go berserk when there is no page file. Even a small page file can prevent this. And the recycle bin is very good for preventing accidental deletions of files without having to resort to something like Recuva.

 

[Revolution 11]

Virgorising, instead of even worrying about optimizing your SSD like this, do this instead. (tongue in cheek suggestions)

Work a few hours overtime, or cut someone's lawn for a hour. Work on your stocks or read a good book, saving you a few trips to the theater and maybe learning something new in the process. Buy a little less this holiday season, reduce your heating bill by wearing a few sweaters. Eat out a little less and work out, reducing your food bill and health expenses.

Collect all those dollars until you have $110. Then go buy a Crucial MX100 256 GB and stop worrying. As a bonus, both your actual longevity and the SSD longevity will be improved. :awe:

 

[Cerb]

Some programs tend to go berserk when there is no page file.

As always, I'll consider it if I ever come across such a POS. Almost 9 years and counting. At this point I'm even annoyed by the slowdown from leaving a PC with an SSD OS drive idle for long periods, w/ a PF. These, "some programs," are extremely rare, while the FUD is widespread. I don't recommend most people touch their page file settings atall, though, because most people want a quick magical tweak, and don't understand how their OS uses memory.

And the recycle bin is very good for preventing accidental deletions of files without having to resort to something like Recuva.

Yeah. I meant changing anything w.r.t. the Recycle Bin. Shift-delete or empty it periodically.

 

[Virgorising]

^This. Modern SSDs don't need any of these tweaks anymore. I do however disable indexing and don't use hibernation. System restore is a must for me and if the recycle bin is off it makes it easier to delete files you don't want deleted.

Have a look at my old G.Skill Sniper. Gets a licking and keeps on ticking. LOL

Nice, John!! I Never keep sys restore on, I haven't starting two desktops ago when I started internal backup......my mostly up to date back up spinner drive is there for many reasons.

Is seems that you too have a SATA 2 controlled board, yes? But still, the drives are wicked fast.:biggrin:

 

[Virgorising]

Work a few hours overtime, or cut someone's lawn for a hour. Work on your stocks or read a good book, saving you a few trips to the theater and maybe learning something new in the process. Buy a little less this holiday season, reduce your heating bill by wearing a few sweaters. Eat out a little less and work out, reducing your food bill and health expenses.

What makes U think I don't do all these things and far more? Cept re equities. I am already size 2 so, back off, dude. :biggrin:

The time it took me to do those tweaks was nothing. I enjoyed it!....and, not only do I now have FOUR GBS MORE OF FREE SPACE, less will be written to the drive ongoing.

And my M500 was more than $110 and it ain't chopped liver.

Sorry, babe.....I am THRILLLLLLED. And, with GOOD CAUSE!!!! Guys, pls stop raining on my happy parade here......I only wish I had, for some strange reason, made a screenie of the drive before the tweaks so people could see wit their eyes 130GBs. So then, taking another screenie after finding and being OMG!!!! showing the 134 would have been VISUAL. But I speak truth.

I think the changing the string values in PM was a big deal.

 

[Virgorising]

I don't recommend most people touch their page file settings at, though, because most people want a quick magical tweak, and don't understand how their OS uses memory at all.

I had already reduced my page file long ago. I have 8GBs of DDR2....I think I am OK.
I never expected the tweaks I implemented to be quick magicals....I felt every one was well conceived. If I experience any downsides....I will report and untweak.

Gotta admit, the go directly to delete, do not pass GO, bypass the bin scared me for 4 minutes....but even tho I go fast, I am also careful.

I can't recall a time when I've restored anything from the bin.
__________________________________________
Edit: I have not completely done away with my page file! HELLO? I just reduced it more, OK? Everyone chill...meet me at spinning class. After,. we will come back here, and I will serve all of you pessimists a slice of my red velvet CAKE.

 

[Virgorising]

CCleaner could help your situation. I don't think it will get rid of all the temp folders but most are covered automatically.

I know yr insulting me is completely unwitting and u don mean to, and that you are a really good guy.:biggrin:

But, again, been using CCleaner all my life...and now Glary Utilities and two others, each carefully chosen. Long ago I sent the CCleaner guy money (was before he offered a pro version)...I recall it was in pounds so it ended up being more American than I entered....but I luv and totally respect that guy.

Now I go get a protective cover for this cake I baked in the last 7 mins, so the raining of the pessimists and the nay sayers don extinguish the candles and make the icing bitter.:whiste: Yes, it IS a red velvet, good guess.

 

[Virgorising]

The only thing I like tweaking anymore is having all the temp files for all users in one shared location on my PC's. Why? Simply because I hate that there is always a bunch of files and folders in there that a regular built-in cleanup in Windows won't delete (and no, built-in disk cleanup doesn't get them all). With them all in one place, I don't have to drill down to the user hidden folders to clean them out once every couple of weeks. Even having to clean them out is debateable, but I have just enough OCD in me to hate a folder full of non-sensical folders and files names that won't go away even if they occupy very little disk space..

The rest of the tweaks.. Waste of effort and time (and I'll even admit, likely even my OCD required temp folder tweak is a waste of time)...

I heah U....you are no way OCD, and I am already liking the not at all waste of time tweaks I tweaked.

 

[Revolution 11]

I know yr insulting me is completely unwitting and u don mean to, and that you are a really good guy.:biggrin:

But, again, been using CCleaner all my life...and now Glary Utilities and two others, each carefully chosen. Long ago I sent the CCleaner guy money (was before he offered a pro version)...I recall it was in pounds so it ended up being more American than I entered....but I luv and totally respect that guy.

Now I go get a protective cover for this cake I baked in the last 7 mins, so the raining of the pessimists and the nay sayers don extinguish the candles and make the icing bitter.:whiste: Yes, it IS a red velvet, good guess.

First, I did not mean to insult you. I was sarcastic but it was not a insult so if you took it as such, I apologize. I just understand where you come from and that familiarity may have crossed some lines.

Second, the CCleaner suggestion was not even directed at you.

 

[Virgorising]

First, I did not mean to insult you. I was sarcastic but it was not a insult so if you took it as such, I apologize. I just understand where you come from and that familiarity may have crossed some lines.

Second, the CCleaner suggestion was not even directed at you.

I KNOW! I got and just said....U very good guy!!! That was palpable from The Get. I said....any insults were UNWITTING. Also...U can bring fun. I GET IT. Believe it!!!:biggrin:

_______________________________________________
Edit: wanna just say again, I decided long ago never to completely do away with my page file, OK? I think it's crazy to do that, for obvious reasons. This time, I just reduced it again to what the guy suggested. I have no clue where he came up with the number, I just went along.