hard drives Archives

Winsage

December 24, 2025

This neat Windows 11 registry trick offers higher NVMe SSD performance—but it’s not for everyone

Recent discoveries have revealed a registry tweak that can enhance the performance of NVMe SSDs on Windows 11, particularly improving random 4K speeds. Traditionally, Windows has treated most drives as SCSI, limiting the potential of NVMe drives. Microsoft is introducing native NVMe support in Windows Server 2025, which bypasses the SCSI conversion process for improved speed and efficiency. Users can achieve similar enhancements on Windows 11 through specific registry modifications, which must be done at their own risk. The necessary driver is included in recent updates for both Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11. Users need to adjust three registry values to enable this functionality. Once modified, NVMe drives will appear under 'Storage Media' in Device Manager. Reports indicate significant performance gains, with one user noting increases of 45% in random 4K read and 49% in write performance. Microsoft suggests enterprise users could see up to 80% higher IOPS and a 45% reduction in CPU cycles. The WD Black SN8100 SSD is noted for its high random 4K speeds, loading games faster than competitors. Many users have pointed out that Linux has had native NVMe support for some time.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Windows 10 Support Ending: Complete Windows 11 Upgrade Guide

Upgrading to Windows 11 involves careful planning and preparation. Start by updating Windows 10 to ensure recent updates are applied. Acquire a USB flash drive (at least 8GB) for the installation process, and document current software licenses as some applications may require reactivation. Check for driver updates to ensure hardware compatibility with Windows 11. There are three main upgrade methods: 1. Windows Update Automatic Upgrade: Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, check for updates, and if compatible, download and install Windows 11. This method retains files and applications and typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. 2. Media Creation Tool Installation: Download the Media Creation Tool, run it, and follow prompts to create installation media on a USB drive. This method is useful for upgrading multiple devices. 3. Clean Installation Process: Insert the USB drive with setup files, restart the device, boot from the USB, and follow the instructions for a custom installation. This method erases all existing data, so comprehensive backups are necessary. Effective planning is crucial, and it is advisable to start the upgrade process well before the deadline of October 14, 2025. This allows time for testing applications, training staff, and addressing hardware requirements. Ensure all devices are compatible to avoid security issues, and consider a robust data protection strategy, such as a 3-2-1 backup approach. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for users with genuine Windows 10 licenses. If a device does not meet the requirements, it cannot be upgraded. Users can roll back to Windows 10 within 10 days of the upgrade, retaining previous files. The upgrade process typically takes around 20 minutes, depending on various factors. Planning the upgrade early helps mitigate operational disruptions, allowing for staggered upgrades and reduced risks of security vulnerabilities as Windows 10 support ends.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

A 23GB Helldivers 2 Is Better Than A 154GB Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 was initially reported to require 154GB of storage, aimed at accommodating older mechanical hard drives in PCs. However, analytics revealed that only 11% of players used HDDs, and the main cause of slowdowns was level generation rather than asset loading. In response, Arrowhead is testing a "slim" version of the game in public beta, which is 23GB, significantly reducing the storage requirement while maintaining gameplay integrity. This change allows players to install additional games, potentially fitting at least 13 indie city-builders in the space previously occupied by the original version.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Helldivers 2 cuts its install size from ‘~154GB to ~23GB’ in a beta you can opt into now, defeating liberty-hating storage reqs with ‘no functional differences’ between versions

In 2025, game file sizes have significantly increased, with many exceeding 100 or 200 GB. Arrowhead has reduced the installation size of Helldivers 2 by 85%, from approximately 154 GB to 23 GB, saving around 131 GB. They credited Sony's port-house, Nixxes, for their support but did not disclose specific methods. A public technical beta for the streamlined version is available on Steam, and players can opt in through the game's Properties menu. The reduction in file size will have minimal impact on load times, and there are no functional differences between the legacy and slim versions; all progress and purchases will carry over.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

In the nick of time, Helldivers 2 rolls out a “slim version” shrinking file sizes by a whopping 85% on PC: “It’s a low-risk way to save ~131GB of space on your drive”

Arrowhead Game Studios has reduced the file size of Helldivers 2 for PC by 85%, from 154GB to approximately 23GB. A public technical beta is currently underway, allowing select users to experience the new file size and provide feedback. Players can still matchmake with others and opt-out of the beta at any time. If successful, the slim version will become the standard, with plans to phase out the legacy version next year. The latest patch also includes balance changes and bug fixes, though some players are disappointed by the removal of the feature that allowed "Factory Striders" to be launched erratically.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Helldivers 2 on PC will now take up 85% less space thanks to reduced installation size

Arrowhead Studios has reduced the installation size of the PC version of Helldivers 2 to 23GB, down from 154GB, by optimizing asset management with Nixxes. This reduction involved eliminating duplicated assets, which previously aimed to enhance loading times for players using mechanical hard drives. The studio confirmed that the majority of loading time is due to level generation rather than asset loading, and the differences in loading times between the new and old versions are minimal. A "slim version" is currently available for testing, with plans to make it the default version after confirming stability. The legacy version is expected to be discontinued next year.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

New Helldivers 2 update just shaved 131GB off its PC file size with a “slim version” beta, and I’m ecstatic — here’s how to opt into the patch

Helldivers 2, launched in 2024, initially had a file size of 70GB, which increased to 154GB due to performance and technical issues. A recent update, Python Commandos Warbond, reduced the file size by 131GB to 23GB, an 85% decrease. This slim version is currently in testing and not the default; players must manually opt into it via Steam. The Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions require 35-40GB of storage. The game is available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5, with the PC version currently on sale for .99.

Winsage

December 3, 2025

5 Windows maintenance tasks I finally stopped doing

- Third-party registry cleaners are no longer effective and can cause more problems than they solve. - Windows 10's Storage Sense automatically manages temporary and unnecessary files, making manual Disk Cleanup unnecessary. - Disk defragmentation is not needed for solid-state drives (SSDs) as Windows 11 automatically optimizes them. - Relying on third-party driver updaters can be risky; it's better to use the built-in updater from the PC manufacturer or trusted sources like Nvidia or AMD. - Using a program like BCUninstaller allows users to uninstall multiple applications simultaneously, making the process more efficient.

Winsage

November 27, 2025

Windows Dev Drives are the speed upgrade you’re not using

Dev Drives are virtual drives introduced in the Windows 11 version 22H2 update, designed specifically for software development. They can be created as partitions on physical drives or as virtual hard drives (VHDs) and use the ReFS file system instead of NTFS. This allows them to bypass continuous malware checks by Microsoft Defender, resulting in performance improvements of up to 41%. Dev Drives are intended for developers engaged in data-intensive tasks, but storing non-development files on them poses security risks. They can enhance workflow efficiency for developers and are accessible through the Settings app in Windows 11.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

Nvidia releases emergency driver update for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 — fixes reduced gaming performance driven by botched Windows updates

Nvidia released the GeForce Hotfix Display Driver 581.94 to address performance issues in certain games caused by Microsoft's mandatory patch KB5066835, which affected Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2. The update led to decreased game frame rates for some users. Nvidia recommends that gamers experiencing performance dips download the latest GPU driver. The company issued a second hotfix a week later to resolve remaining issues, including crashes and clock speed irregularities. The initial patch also caused problems with USB keyboards and mice in the Windows Recovery Environment and triggered BitLocker encryption unexpectedly. It is unclear if Intel and AMD will release their own driver updates in response to the issues caused by KB5066835, although performance problems have been reported with their GPUs as well.