Setting up Windows 10 for mining

It is worth shutting down Windows services in semi-automatic mode. The integrated uninstaller and Revo Uninstaller are not suitable for this. You can use the Windows10MiningTweaksDmW script to disable services. It is available for download in the GitHub online repository. The script allows you to turn off unnecessary services and features in a step-by-step pattern.

The algorithm for using Windows10MiningTweaksDmW:

1. Download the script.
2. Run it.
3. Select a script function. In October 2022, 12 options are available: “Customize Registry”, “Remove Services”, “Block Telemetry Servers”, “Customize Internet Explorer 11” and others.
4. Perform the actions according to the instructions from the script.

Disabling automatic updates

One of the services constantly monitors the availability of new versions of the current operating system. When updates appear, the application downloads them. This stops mining for some time. Also, due to the heavier workload, OS updates often reduce the performance of cryptocurrency mining. Therefore, miners usually disable the automatic installation of new system versions.

Algorithm for blocking updates:

1. Press the Win+R keyboard shortcut.
2. Enter the command takeown /f c:windowssystem32usoclient.exe /a.
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to execute the function as administrator.
4. Open the C:WindowsSystem32 folder.
5. Find the UsoClient file.
6. Click on it.
7. Open “Properties”.
8. Go to the “Security” section.
9. Click “Edit”.
10. Turn off all permissions of the file.
11. Click “Apply” and then click “Yes.”

After the eleventh step, the automatic system update feature will be turned off. In the future, the option can be returned. To do so, you will need to re-enable the UsoClient file permissions.

Disabling hibernation

A computer with default Windows settings automatically shuts down when the user is inactive. This feature interferes with the stable mining of digital assets. Therefore, cryptocurrency miners disable the option. You can do this in 5 steps:

1. Go to the Start menu.
2. Open the “Options” window.
3. Go to the “System” section.
4. Open the “Power and Hibernation” tab.
5. Specify “Never” in the drop-down list under the “Hibernate” line.

Once the algorithm is executed, the hibernation function will be disabled. The running computer will stop going to sleep when the user is inactive. This will allow the miner to have less control over the mining of cryptoassets.

Increasing the amount of virtual memory

The swap file expands the storage area of different data on the mining rig. It is often referred to as “virtual memory”. But beginners often confuse the term with RAM (“RAM”) or VRAM (“video RAM”). However, a swap file is needed only for stable operation of computer hardware.

Under high computational loads, RAM or VRAM is sometimes insufficient. This leads to unstable operation of rigs. In such cases, virtual memory is enabled. The regs start using files to swap data.

Before increasing virtual memory, you should calculate its optimal size. The size of the swap file should be equal to the total VRAM of the installed graphics cards + 4 GB. The table below shows 2 examples.

Algorithm for increasing the size of the swap file:

1. Open “This Computer”.
2. Click on the free space in the folder.
3. Select “Properties” from the list that appears.
4. Go to “Advanced System Options”.
5. Click “Options…” under “Performance”.
6. Go to “Advanced”.
7. Click on “Change” under “Virtual Memory”.
8. Select the disk on which the operating system is installed.
9. Select the “Specify size” item with the marker.
10. Enter the size of the swap file in the “Initial size (MB)” and “Maximum size (MB)” fields.
11. Click “Set”.
12. Click “OK”.

After the twelfth step, the paging file size setting will be completed. The set virtual memory will be used to continue mining in case of RAM or VRAM shortage.

Setting the power mode

The amount of power consumption affects the performance of the mining ring. Therefore, cryptocurrency miners customize the power modes of their systems.

Changing the power consumption is done according to the following algorithm:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Go to “Settings”.
3. Open the “System” section.
4. Go to the “Power and Hibernation” tab.
5. Open “Advanced Power Options.”
6. Click on “Show Advanced Patterns”.
7. Check the “High Performance” option with the marker.

After the seventh step, the mining rig will start using a little more power. In return, the system will become slightly faster than usual.

Other settings

Miners often change the parameters of not only the operating system. To increase mining performance, they also customize the BIOS (BIOS). This is the software that allows the computer to run. Through the BIOS, miners can disable unused Rig ports and other options. All this increases the performance of crypto mining.

It is not recommended for beginners to change the BIOS settings. Incorrect BIOS settings can permanently disable a mining rig.

Summary

By default, the Windows operating system “eats” a lot of hashrate. That’s why miners customize the OS when building their riigs. They also often install Enterprise series systems. Versions of Windows 10 from this line of OS from Microsoft are deprived of many unnecessary applications and services for mining. But even the Enterprise series releases aren’t perfect.

Beginners often don’t understand how to configure Windows 10 for mining. The most important thing to do is:

1. Choose an OS distribution and install it.
2. Disable services and uninstall programs.
3. Block the update function of Windows.
4. Disable hibernation.
5. Install virtual memory.
6. Configure the power supply.

Frequently Asked Questions