Hey all, I just wanted to put some info out there about my issues I had and then resolved.  I installed the Apollo twin USB interface, updated my Sonar 2016.3, and activated 1 yr prescription of McAfee antivirus all around the same time with my Windows 7 professional.  I started getting glitches in my audio (whether or not Sonar was opened).  I thought I tried everything, but could not get it fixed.  I then decided to upgrade to Windows 10 (even though I was worried it would be worse).  But I didnt have much too lose (my audio is everything).  After upgrading to Windows 10, the audio glitches or spikes stopped, but I heard faint crackles in my audio.  I then decided to fully uninstall McAfee and only reinstall if it was not the problem.  Well, problem solved so far.  I guess I will just stay with Windows 10 Defender and lose out on my one year McAfee prescription.  But its worth it.  Sonar Platinum, singer, songwriter, musician, composer and others.  Hope this helps someone.

McAfee (and other AV software) is scanning your disks at regular times and observes changes, like when you're recording. That can take substantial resources from your PC. You can view this in windows 10 using the task-manager.
When you want to minimize resources during recording:
1) disconnect your network connection
2) disable anti-virus software

If you make it a dual boot system you can have all the antivirus on the non Sonar partition.

When booting the Sonar partition, don't go online or check emails.

This ensures when you are running Sonar the system has as much resource as possible.

Not to hijack the thread, but since your question has already been answered...how do you like Apollo Twin USB?

I just upgraded to Windows 10.
 
I had a few performance issues with Sonar right after, along with other non-Sonar issues.
 
You will want to tune your computer for audio production. The first thing to do is get rid of most or all of the startup program items - I think that's what they are called. These are programs that start automatically when you boot your PC. They are mostly not needed. The only thing I think I have running from that is my anti-virus, which does not bother too much.
 
The other thing with Windows 10 is the way it does the automatic updates...Pretty heavy handed. Microsoft took most of the control away from the user. I am on Windows 10 pro which give more flexibility that the home version. Please search online "Windows 10  disable automatic updates". You will find that you can't really disable, but there are some ways to mitigate the issue. Also - back to tuning - There is a lot of easy things in Windows with power options, services and setting Sonar to a background process that will help.
 
Edit: Search online using "Tuning Computer for audio production" and you will get a ton of hits. Some tuning is safe and easy, and some - like editing the registry- make some folks nervous. Go as far as you feel comfortable.  For instance, I have never done the registry modifications.

Regarding the Windows 10 startup programs: It is easy in Win10 to get to them...Just go into the task manager (ctrl-alt-del or from the search window) and a tab called "Startup" is right there. The only things I have running right now are an Intel USB monitor (sounded important to me so I left it on), a NVIDA update that I need to research before turning off. I don't see my anti-virus...I now seem to remember that I have that set to start somewhere else.
 
I have these turned off:
Adobe Update Startup Utility
Akamai NetSession Client
Google Installer
iTunes Helper
Microsoft OneDrive
Quicktime Task
Realtek HD Manager (I use an Audio Interface)
ScanToPCActivationApp
 
Take a look at the "Startup" impact column. One of the ones I have turned off had "High" listed there. Can't remember which one.
 
The other thing is that creepy circle-thing right above the window icon in the lower left when you click on "Search Windows". They call it "Cortana". It reminds me of that equally annoying paper-clip helper that was in Windows 98 or some version from a while back. Anyway, that can be disabled or turned off somehow. This may not affect Sonar, but I thought I would mention it.

Craig, I love the Apollo Twin in comparison with my ex M-audio, there's actually no comparison in my opinion.  The sound quality blows me away from what I had been used to.  Plus all the different routings to assist in making my tracks sound so much better than before.  I thought my question was answered, but the crackling noise is still there.  I guess I forgot to knock on wood before posting.  I believe I tried close to everything I could do and read, to get the crackle to stop.  Its not loud but slowly inconsistent in any song I play on my laptop.  I re routed audio and tried it on my pc soundcard.  the crackle remains.  It seems like it has to do something with Windows 10 upgrade.  When I had windows 7 pro prior to this upgrade, I had inconsistent spikes that occurred on audio, in and out, of Sonar (youtube, etc.).  Im running out of hope, and will prolly revert back to Windows 7 but I would like to make windows 10 work.

I too had a huge number of pops and crackles after updating to W10.  I gave it about a week to settle down and it never did, so I reverted to W7 (you have 30 days after updating to revert).  I think it may have something to do with my machine since others seem to be having great results with Sonar and W10.
 
Good luck to you.

Yea Jude, I might just not want to face it, but at least with windows 7, my sound is nice and I was able to work around the spikes.  I learned alot researching with this Windows 10 thing that I might be able to get the spike glitches out with the windows 7.  But I guess I dont have an option at this point.  Thanks to all for the feedback.  This forum is the bomb with having so many experienced and willing people to help people!  It great to know people can still do nice things with all going on in this world!