> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.moonlight.zip/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.moonlight.zip/optimize/optimize-windows-for-moonlight.md).

# Optimize Windows For Moonlight

This guide is divided into Universal Windows Steps and Vendor-Specific Steps (choose your card).

***

#### Phase 1: Universal Windows Foundation (All GPUs)

*Do these steps first regardless of which brand of GPU you have. They prepare Windows to prioritize ML tasks.*

**1. Enable "High Performance" Power Plan**

Windows typically hides this plan. It is critical for stopping micro-latency during inference.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Paste this command: `powercfg -duplicatescheme SCHEME_MIN`
3. paste this command: `powercfg /setactive SCHEME_MIN`
4. Paste this command to confirm the mode is now high performance: `powercfg /getactivescheme`
5. Open Control Panel -> Power Options.
6. Expand "Show additional plans" and select High Performance.

**2. Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)**

This allows your GPU to manage its own memory, bypassing the CPU bottleneck.

1. Press `Win + I` (Settings) -> System -> Display -> Graphics.
2. Click "Change default graphics settings" (blue link).
3. Turn Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling to On.
   * *Requires a Restart.*

**3. Force "High Performance" for Your Apps**

Windows loves to push background apps (like a Python terminal or Moonlight) to the integrated graphics to save battery. Stop this.

1. Go to System -> Display -> Graphics.
2. Under "Add an app", select Desktop app -> Browse.
3. Find `Moonlight.exe` and click Add.
4. Click the app in the list -> Options -> Select High Performance -> Save.

***

#### Phase 2: Choose Your GPU Path

**🟢 Option A: NVIDIA**

1. Drivers: Install the NVIDIA Studio Driver (more stable for compute) rather than Game Ready. You can also try Game Ready if you experience issues.
2. Control Panel:
   * Right-click Desktop -> NVIDIA Control Panel.
   * Manage 3D Settings -> Power Management Mode -> Prefer Maximum Performance.
   * Low Latency Mode -> On (Reduces token delay).
   * CUDA - Sysmem Fallback Policy -> Prefer No Sysmem Fallback (Prevents using slow RAM if VRAM fills up).
3. Cuda install:
   * download and install <https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-12-6-0-download-archive> on your script PC.
   * After installation has completed, re-boot your script PC.

**🔴 Option B: AMD**

1. Enable "Compute Mode" (Older cards like RX 580):
   * Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
   * Settings (Gear icon) -> Graphics.
   * Scroll to Advanced -> GPU Workload -> Set to Compute.
   * *Note: Newer RDNA (6000/7000 series) cards handle this automatically. For these, select the "Standard" profile instead of "Gaming" to minimize post-processing interference.*
2. Enable SAM (Smart Access Memory):
   * In Adrenalin -> Performance tab -> Tuning.
   * Ensure AMD Smart Access Memory is Enabled. (Requires "Re-Size BAR" enabled in your BIOS).

**🔵 Option C: Intel**

1. Intel Arc Control Settings:
   * Open Intel Arc Control (Alt+I).
   * Performance Tab -> Power Limit -> Increase to Max (slide to right).
   * Global Game Settings -> Turn OFF "Frame Smoothing" or "V-Sync" (these add latency).

***

#### Summary Table for Reference

| **Feature**      | **NVIDIA Settings**    | **AMD Settings**                | **Intel Settings**     |
| ---------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Driver Type      | Studio Driver          | Adrenalin Edition               | Arc Control / WHQL     |
| Power Mode       | Prefer Max Performance | Standard Profile / Compute Mode | Power Limit Max        |
| Key BIOS Feature | Re-Size BAR (Optional) | Smart Access Memory (Required)  | Re-Size BAR (Required) |


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