Increase the Interactive Desktop Heap Size = Performance Improvement

[Dr. Zhivago]

So, yesterday, I was bouncing around the internet and came across this post on the MSDN Blog: The default interactive desktop heap size has been increased on 32-bit Vista SP1

This is going to be a short blog post, but considering the amount of feedback we’ve received on the our two previous desktop heap posts, I think this is worth blogging about. 32-bit Vista SP1 and 32-bit Windows Server 2008 both have a new value for the default size of interactive desktop heaps. Previously, this heap size was 3 MB by default, but on Vista SP1 and Server 2008 the default interactive heap size is 12 MB. We’ve heard your comments about the problems associated with the heap size, and this new default size should go a long way towards avoiding interactive desktop heap depletion.

On 32-bit systems, running Vista SP1 or Windows Server 2008, you’ll now see that the relevant portion of the registry value looks like this (by default)...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\SubSystems\Windows

SharedSection=1024,12288,512

64-bit Windows still has a default interactive desktop heap size of 20MB. Keep in mind that in Vista, session view space (the memory range that desktop heaps are allocated from) is now a dynamic address range. This means that in Vista and Server 2008 the individual desktop heap sizes can be increased to larger sizes with less concern over exhausting session view space.

- Matthew

There are a few other posts concerning this stuff. Part 2 takes a look at all Windows Versions which support this feature.

And the overview page details how to tune the parameter.

Here is the relevant Registry item that controls this behavior:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\SubSystems\Windows

The default data for this registry value will look something like the following (all on one line):

%SystemRoot%\system32\csrss.exe ObjectDirectory=\Windows SharedSection=1024,3072,512 Windows=OnSubSystemType=Windows ServerDll=basesrv,1 ServerDll=winsrv:UserServerDllInitialization,3 ServerDll=winsrv:ConServerDllInitialization,2 ProfileControl=Off MaxRequestThreads=16

The number you want to change is the "3072" in the SharedSection portion. Change it to "12288" to increase the available memory for the Interactive Desktop Heap to 12MB. I did this in Windows XP SP2 and the Shell is MUCH more responsive. There used to be little lags when I would close a program and then immediately open another one or click on the Start button. It is just as snappy as all get out now.

I would recommend this change to anyone running XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 32Bit.

You need to reboot after making the change.

Please post your results.

Peace!

[VW_Factor]

Good find here, and good readin.

Results? XP is much quicker to respond to input after certain operations. The "snappiness" that people talk about (myself included) is greater by a noticeable amount. Result is very good here.

[Dr. Zhivago]

Sweet! Thanks for your feedback V-Dub!

[caveman-jim]

A lil' bit of formattin' and its been added to the Important Info thread! Thanks, Dr.Z!

[Dr. Zhivago]

Fine! Just do whatever you want with my post. You're a Super Mod and all and I'm just a lowly forum member...

Thanks!

[SteveButabi]

Great find. Trying it out myself on xp sp2.

[benjy355]

No 64bit awesomes

[Animotion]

It's definatly made my desktop more responsive an snappy, an bringing up programs to top is much more quick.

Thanks for posting rep heading your way

[spajdr]

No 64bit awesomes

whats the problem? look again, its there (REG_EXPAND_SZ last line)

[genci88]

Are there any side effects to this?

[VW_Factor]

whats the problem? look again, its there (REG_EXPAND_SZ last line)

Yeah, its last in the window..

[Dr. Zhivago]

Are there any side effects to this?

Yes, there is one: You will be able to create LESS "Virtual" desktops. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Dr. Zhivago]

It's definatly made my desktop more responsive an snappy, an bringing up programs to top is much more quick.

Thanks for posting rep heading your way

Sweet! And thanks!

[Dr. Zhivago]

No 64bit awesomes

As spajdr and V-dub mentioned, it's the last entry in the Window. Double-click on the Windows entry. The value you are looking for is near the beginning of the string. Compare the information I posted above to what the string looks like when you double-click the Windows entry.

HTH!

[genci88]

Yes, there is one: You will be able to create LESS "Virtual" desktops. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks. I don't use multiple virtual desktops, so I will give this tweak a try.

And just to make sure: this will not negatively affect my PC games, right?

EDIT: Whoops. I missed the "already been increased in Vista SP1", and I do have SP1 installed. I went into the registry editor and was about to apply the tweak, but found out that the new number was already in there.

[Dr. Zhivago]

[GanjaStar]

workin very nice in xp sp 2. THX for the tweak, i don't use virtual desktops so no worries there

[clerick]

Changed it to 64mb, seems to be working fine.

[Turnbull2000]

Is this for SP2 only? What about SP3?

[Dr. Zhivago]

It is not for SP2 only. It applies to any Service Pack Level.

Glad you guys found this useful. It is linked in the "Useful Info" sticky at the top of this forum.

Peace!

[Turnbull2000]

It is not for SP2 only. It applies to any Service Pack Level.

Glad you guys found this useful. It is linked in the "Useful Info" sticky at the top of this forum.

Peace!

Thanks man. Will give it a shot.

[MysticKiller]

Are there any step by step instructions on how to do this? I think I know, but I really dont want to **** my computer up again.

[Dr. Zhivago]

If you read the first post, it describes in detail what to change. Just open Regedit and edit the entry that's listed to the value as it is shown. If you're not comfortable editing the registry, don't.

I can look into creating a *.reg file that you can download and double-click to make the changes, but I would want to see your registry before providing such a file. I'll look into a few machines and compare settings in this area and see if it's generic. I'll post later with an update.

[Dr. Zhivago]

Thanks man. Will give it a shot.

Let us know how it works out for you. I'm certain you'll notice a positive improvement.

[traitoR]

Just gave this a try on my XP install, does seem more responsive now.

[Anth Seebel]

Nice find, cheers for sharing !

[SteadVéx]

this would explain why I always found xp's interface slow after using vista's i'm guessing...

[MysticKiller]

If you read the first post, it describes in detail what to change. Just open Regedit and edit the entry that's listed to the value as it is shown. If you're not comfortable editing the registry, don't.

I can look into creating a *.reg file that you can download and double-click to make the changes, but I would want to see your registry before providing such a file. I'll look into a few machines and compare settings in this area and see if it's generic. I'll post later with an update.

I've done it, I just wanted some one to clarify what to do, exactly

Dont bother with making a .reg file, but thanks for suggesting it.

Will post later if its made a difference.

[Dr. Zhivago]

Just gave this a try on my XP install, does seem more responsive now.

You should see a marked difference when opening a closing multiple programs and window switching.

Nice find, cheers for sharing !

YW!

this would explain why I always found xp's interface slow after using vista's i'm guessing...

Especially after SP1 on Vista, yes.

I've done it, I just wanted some one to clarify what to do, exactly

Dont bother with making a .reg file, but thanks for suggesting it.

Will post later if its made a difference.

Okay. Thanks!

[Qualitier]

Changed it to 64mb, seems to be working fine.

I've tried it (65536 instead of 3072), but I've totally failed. I wasn't being able to boot up even in safe mode. I managed to do it choosing "Last known configuration that worked". In between, I chose "Do not reboot in case of error" and saw the following:

STOP c000021a {Serious system error}
The system process Windows Logon Process halted unexpectedly with the state 0x00000407 (0x00000000 0x00000000)
The system has been shut down

(all options and texts originally seen in Spanish, translation may be inaccurate)

-------------------------------

Afterwards I yet dared to try again but with 12288 instead of 3072 as originally suggested. This time the system booted as always (I've checked that the tweak remains). I haven't noticed any difference yet, but I'll keep it some days at least.

I don't use multiple desktops here.

[Dr. Zhivago]

Yeah, I don't think I would try 64MB. Nowhere in the discussions did I see anybody running values this large. I suppose if you are running 64Bit, you could try larger values, although as mentioned, it's already set to 20MB by default for 64Bit versions.

[MysticKiller]

It worked!

I can see a difference simply when opening the start menu, or pressing the show desktop in my quick launch.



Is there anyway to speed firefox up? It sometimes hangs for a short period as a webpage is loading

[Djinn]

Are there any step by step instructions on how to do this? I think I know, but I really dont want to **** my computer up again.

I plan on trying it tonight... It's a pretty simple tweak. Just navigate to the right registry branch, change a value, and reboot.

This link has more info, should you want it. I would NOT advise setting the value higher than 12288 (from 3072).

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=238&pgno=1

[MysticKiller]

I plan on trying it tonight... It's a pretty simple tweak. Just navigate to the right registry branch, change a value, and reboot.

This link has more info, should you want it. I would NOT advise setting the value higher than 12288 (from 3072).

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.a...tno=238&pgno=1

I've already managed to do it without messing up anything on my computer

But thanks!

[Djinn]

I've already managed to do it without messing up anything on my computer But thanks!

And the result... ?

[Melhisedek]

Wooow, just stumbled upon this by chance It really, really works!!!

[Dr. Zhivago]

It worked!

I can see a difference simply when opening the start menu, or pressing the show desktop in my quick launch.



Is there anyway to speed firefox up? It sometimes hangs for a short period as a webpage is loading

You can install the Fasterfox plugin and set it to Optimized or Turbo.

Wooow, just stumbled upon this by chance It really, really works!!!

Yes, it does. Glad you found it useful.

I think it's funny that this thread is getting more traffic now than when I posted it 2 months ago.

[MysticKiller]

It worked!

I can see a difference simply when opening the start menu, or pressing the show desktop in my quick launch.

And the result... ?

Its definetly helped, and quiet a bit at that, no more short pauses when minimizing, maximizing and stuff.

I think the degree of the difference will depend on how good your computer already is too.

[SteadVéx]

hrmm, is the heap size per monitor? or is it shared?

[Djinn]

... I think the degree of the difference will depend on how good your computer already is too.

Perhaps... I did it, and I see no real difference either way.