Keep Your System Up to Date

Before changing Windows settings, make sure Windows, Cakewalk, and your audio hardware are up to date.

Check for updates to:

• Windows
• Cakewalk
• Graphics card drivers
• Audio interface software and firmware
• MIDI controller drivers and remote scripts

For hardware devices, download updates directly from the manufacturer's website and make sure they are compatible with your version of Windows.

If a problem started immediately after an update, check whether the manufacturer provides an option to roll back to an earlier version.

Minimize CPU Load from Other Applications

Applications running in the background can consume CPU, memory, disk, network, or USB resources that may otherwise be available to Cakewalk.

When troubleshooting performance issues, close applications you do not need while working in Cakewalk. Common examples include:

• Cloud synchronization applications
• Web browsers with many active tabs
• Game launchers
• Communication applications
• Video or screen recording software
• Other audio applications
• Hardware monitoring utilities
• Large file transfers or backup applications

You can use Task Manager to identify applications that are consuming significant system resources.

Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps

Some applications automatically start when you sign in to Windows and continue running in the background.

To prevent unnecessary applications from starting with Windows:

1. Right-click Start and select Task Manager.
2. Select Startup apps.
3. Review the applications listed.
4. Check the Startup impact column for applications that have a higher impact.
5. Select an application you do not need to start automatically.
6. Select Disable.

Cloud storage applications, game launchers, communication applications, and other utilities may be candidates if you do not need them running when Windows starts.

Note

Only disable applications you recognize. Disabling a startup application does not uninstall it. You can return to Task Manager > Startup apps and select Enable at any time.

Review Security and Permissions

Security software and Windows permissions can sometimes prevent Cakewalk from accessing files or other resources it needs.

Allow Cakewalk Through Your Security Software

Antivirus or security software may occasionally block an application or prevent it from accessing certain files.

If your security software allows application exclusions or exceptions, you can add Cakewalk as an allowed application.

The exact procedure varies by security software. Refer to the manufacturer's documentation for instructions.

Only add exceptions for applications and files that you trust.

Enable Full Read/Write Permissions

Cakewalk needs appropriate permissions to access project files, audio files, and other folders.

If you suspect that permissions are preventing Cakewalk from accessing files correctly, follow this guide on How to Enable Full Read/Write Permissions.

Optimize Windows Power Settings

Windows can adjust CPU performance based on the selected power mode. On some systems, aggressive power-saving settings can affect consistent real-time audio processing.

Select a Performance-Oriented Power Mode

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Go to System > Power & battery.
3. Set Power mode to Best performance, if available.

Depending on your version of Windows, additional power plans may be available through Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.

If available, you can also test the High performance power plan when troubleshooting audio performance.

Review Processor Power Management

For additional control:

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options.
2. Select your active power plan.
3. Select Change plan settings.
4. Select Change advanced power settings.
5. Expand Processor power management.
6. Review the Minimum processor state and Maximum processor state settings.

If you are troubleshooting inconsistent CPU performance, you can test a higher minimum processor state while the computer is connected to AC power.

Note

Performance-oriented power settings can increase power consumption, heat, and fan activity, particularly on laptops.

Disable USB Power Saving

This section is primarily intended for systems using USB audio interfaces.

Windows can suspend USB devices to reduce power consumption. On some systems, this can contribute to USB devices disconnecting or behaving inconsistently.

Disable USB Selective Suspend

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options.
2. Select Change plan settings for your active power plan.
3. Select Change advanced power settings.
4. Expand USB settings.
5. Expand USB selective suspend setting.
6. Set it to Disabled.
7. Select Apply, then OK.

Check USB Hub Power Management

You can also check whether Windows is allowed to turn off USB hubs to save power:

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
3. Open the properties for a relevant USB Root Hub or Generic USB Hub.
4. Open the Power Management tab, if available.
5. Disable Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
6. Select OK.

Not every USB device or Windows installation provides this option.

Optimize Your Storage Drives

Cakewalk continuously reads and writes project files, audio files, and other data. Storage performance and available disk space can therefore affect overall system performance.

Keep Enough Free Disk Space

Make sure your Windows drive and project drives have adequate free space.

Avoid allowing a drive to become nearly full, as this can affect performance and other Windows operations.

Use an SSD for Active Projects

When possible, store active Cakewalk projects and their associated audio files on an SSD.

SSDs generally provide faster file access than traditional mechanical hard drives, which can be particularly useful for projects containing many audio files.

You may also benefit from using separate drives for your operating system, projects, and large sample libraries when practical.

Keep Your Drives Healthy

Make sure Windows can properly access your storage drives and that the drives have no reported errors.

Keep storage device firmware and related drivers up to date when updates are provided by the manufacturer.

Important

Always maintain backups of important Cakewalk projects and audio files before making changes to storage devices or their configuration.

Check Hyper-Threading and SMT Settings

Modern processors can expose additional logical processors through technologies such as Intel Hyper-Threading and AMD simultaneous multithreading (SMT).

Cakewalk and audio plug-ins can use multiple CPU cores. However, the behavior of individual systems can vary depending on the processor, project, plug-ins, and drivers.

Keep Hyper-Threading or SMT Enabled

As a starting point, leave Hyper-Threading or SMT enabled.

If you are troubleshooting a specific CPU or real-time audio issue, you can test Cakewalk with the feature disabled in your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings.

The exact procedure varies by computer and motherboard manufacturer. Refer to the manufacturer's documentation for instructions.

After changing the setting:

1. Boot into Windows.
2. Open Cakewalk.
3. Load the same project.
4. Reproduce the problem.
5. Compare the results with Hyper-Threading or SMT enabled.

If disabling the feature does not improve the issue, return it to its previous setting.

Important

BIOS/UEFI settings vary between systems. Do not change firmware settings unless you are comfortable working with your computer's BIOS/UEFI configuration.

Disable System Sounds

Windows system sounds can use the same audio hardware as Cakewalk. Disabling them can help prevent Windows notification sounds from being sent through your audio interface while working.

To disable Windows system sounds:

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Go to System > Sound.
3. Select More sound settings.
4. Open the Sounds tab.
5. Set Sound Scheme to No Sounds.
6. Select Apply, then OK.

If you want Windows notification sounds for normal use, you can restore your previous sound scheme after troubleshooting.

Test Cakewalk After Making Changes

Make changes one at a time whenever possible.

After each change, open the same Cakewalk project and reproduce the problem using the same workflow. This makes it easier to determine whether a particular change affected the behavior.

If the issue continues, the cause may instead involve:

• Audio interface drivers
• ASIO buffer settings
• Sample rate or clock configuration
• Plug-ins
• CPU-intensive projects
• USB connectivity
• Project or audio file issues
• Windows hardware or driver conflicts