Hi Robert
I wish I knew something that would automate it, but then really it is a human that needs to take the decisions.
 
For drivers I found this this (well actually a fellow cakewalker did!) and is excellent for updating drivers providing you are careful:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Driver-Boost-m2928792.aspx
 
Sometimes you still need to update manually.
 
And of course windows update.
 
But always back up! :)

Here's another one, you can run your virus scanner. Just get real time scanning to exclude your cakewalk project directories, the ports you use for music (i.e. firewire) and this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822158 (and no this is not just for enterprise computers). And schedule the updates so they don't get in your way (in fact my DAW runs fine even when the virus scanner is updating).
 

Totally agree Alex. The Msconfig is not a good way to disable programs. Use the Startup tab in Task Manager to prevent programs from auto starting. This is in Windows 8 and 8.1. I'll bet its also in Win 7 too. 
 
I like to simply uninstall programs that I don't want on my system. 

CakeAlexS
Sorry few things I disagree with.....

Using msconfig to disable services or apps is not recommended at all. This is generally only used for troubleshooting purposes and not optimizing!
 
Before you remove or tweak anything check to see if you can remove some applications in you control panel first under "uninstall a program".
 
If you need services just go to control panel and search for services, or find it through administrative tools.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc736564%28v=ws.10%29.aspx
 
As far as startup is concerned, once you are certain you can get rid of a process it is better to delete it rather than disable it (you could then audition with msconfig but google generally tells you all you need to know), I use ccleaner for this (although I've also been know to delete the registry keys).... check here:
http://www.howtogeek.com/74523/
 
There are lots of methods but you should not use msconfig unless you are troubleshooting or doing something that is temporary.
 
If you want to see what is going on Process Monitor is highly recommended.
 
You should never disable the task scheduler , but you should check to see what it is it is actually running. There is some stuff there you want to run. More info:
 
http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2013/07/15/why-you-shouldn-t-disable-the-task-scheduler-service-in-windows-7-and-windows-8.aspx
 
cc-Cleaner is also good at cleaning up the disk and the registry. Some people don't like cleaning up the registry, the reasons are valid enough, I can understand that, but I do it and have never had a problem.
 
Always update your drivers, always run windows update.
Finally defrag! and Run chkdsk often.
Every six months I recommend running sfc /scannow but that's not strictly necessary.
 
And have a backup/rollback strategy. !!!

We should agree to disagree. I don't use msconfig to optimize. I use it to turn things off while I record music. Things that in the past are needed but have personally caused me problems during the recording process. If I could have a computer to just record music that is what I would do. This PC is used for a lot of other things. It is easier to unplug from the internet and shut the update services off then to deal with windows updates, skype update, google update or an apple update running in the background while I am trying to record music. Many times I am unaware when some these updates start until it is ready to download or install.
 
It is frustrating for me to be in the middle of working out a guitar solo only to have windows tell me that the updates are done would you like to reboot, or have a skype update banner flash during the recording process.
 
The way I choose not to deal with this is to shut it off until I am done recording. I don't want to get rid of start up apps. I just want to disable them temporarily. msconfig works just fine for that and I believe that is what it is for in the first place.
 
I agree a backup/rollback strategy is important. The goal here is not optimizing and it is not troubleshooting. it is avoiding problems that have happened to me and ruined perfectly good audio takes. That kills any creative inspiration for me.
 
I don't want to uninstall the program that I disabled. registry cleaners have messed up my computer way more then using msconfig. In fact I can't think of one time msconfig has messed anything up on my systems. 
 
I will say that since I have been doing this Sonar has been rock solid for me X1 through X3. I have not had any of the major issues that I read about on this forum. I have had hardware issues, but that was not the fault of Sonar or Windows 7.
 
I am not saying everyone should do this. People have their own methods. This is the way I approach the problem. It works for me. I know you would not disable the task scheduler and that is fine for you. I don't need those things running when I am recording music.
 
So yes before I record music I disable the internet and I shut down programs that I don't want running in the background. Personally even though this approach may seem unconventional and unpopular to some on this forum, it works for me and I have not had any major issues with the X series (software wise) now excuse me while I find a piece of wood to knock on
 

What works for you, but I'm mainly looking at Microsoft recommendations.. the people who build the software. MSConfig was always designed as a troubleshooting tool. And you don't like updates happening in the middle of something then go to the task scheduler and sort it out. If you need to tweak services go to windows services snapin. Microsoft does not recommend disabling task scheduler. And what are you doing installing Skype on your DAW environment? Right tool for the right job!
 
What you are doing here is quick fixes which, as you say, 15 minutes are you are done. That to me is not optimization, and you are having to fiddle all the time :). But if it works for you then great, far from me to tell you what to do :)

Hi Alex,
 
The link you posted said this about task scheduler
 
"Because disabling the task scheduler does not make your system more secure, nor does it increase system performance.  In fact, it makes your system less secure in Windows 8, and in Windows 7 and 8 makes performance worse, especially over time.
In Windows 7 the Task Scheduler is responsible for background health and cleaning processes such as optimizing prefetch and readyboot for instance.  It also handles light defragmentation runs on the system."
 
I don't disagree with this at all. I just don't want defragmentation to run. I don't want any other cleaning processes to start while I am recording. I am not connected to the internet during the recording process so that is better security then a firewall can provide. I think the performance issues arise when you leave task scheduler disabled. I don't do that. I only disable it for the hours I am recording. Same thing with updates and the other services that are disabled.
 
The goal here is not optimization. That is done at another time. The goal here is a quick turn off and then a turn everything back on when I am done so the computer does not decide to optimize on its own. As far as the start up apps go I agree. Use uninstall and get rid of junk. The things I disable are things I want to keep and turn back on shortly.
 
In fact I really don't disagree with a lot of what you posted for optimization. your right
 
I use msconfig because it is quick. Once again the goal is not optimization or backing up the system. I only own one home computer. Unfortunately for me I got to use it for everything. The other computers in the house belong to my wife and children. They each have their own because they can't use mine.
 
Skype is installed to keep up with family members and friends some of them are in the military. Sonar is not used here as a business. This is just a project studio. Although I have made some money on the side it is only so I can legally write Sonar and other music gear off my taxes.
 
I wish I had the money for a dedicated machine to be just a DAW that would be nice. but right now the funds are not available.

I don't disagree with this at all. I just don't want defragmentation to run. I don't want any other cleaning processes to start while I am recording.
 
Then configure it the way you like it in task scheduler! 
 
I wish I had the money for a dedicated machine to be just a DAW that would be nice. but right now the funds are not available.
 
Then do what I do and have a multiboot environment...
 
Totally understand about the time thing... Yup you workaround things like many people do, life is too short.

I really run virtually anything on my computer with no obvious negative effects on my DAW performance. Uninstalling programs you tried and don't need anymore is good advice though,and obviously you don't want to actually be running Skype or the Java Updater while you're recording.

Marcus Curtis

TS

" I disable windows update, task scheduler,..."
How do you disable task scheduler (win 7) ?

The startup tab shows a list of all the programs that start when you turn on your computer. (...) Don't turn off anything you think you might use. I keep the adobe on because Sonars manuals are in adobe pdfs and I may need to reference them.

You can uncheck all the programs in the startup tab (except for antivirus, firewall, etc, if the PC stays connected to internet, which is not the case here).
They will be opened and ok when you will need them (for example Adobe).
 
Nb :
I also use msconfig, for the same purpose, for a long time, and i think it is very useful and rather safe.
Never had any problem with it (but i would never uncheck a service i don't know what it is for - the less is more !), especially with the startup tab (where i always uncheck all items).
Be very careful with Regedit and Ccleaner or others registry cleaner ; they are very powerful, very dangerous, and should be reserved for the very warned users.
Msconfig is widely enough, and even it has to be used with precautions, like all the tweaking tips (sometimes so-called "tips").
Since the modern PCs are so powerful, most of these tricks became totally useless (it was not the case in the 80s or the 90s, or at the beginning of 2000s).

Rubbish, msconfig is designed as a troubleshooting tool and has always been misused. Just because people use it widely doesn't mean it isn't being misused. And no it isn't dangerous it's just not best practice. It should not be encouraged as a performance tool, rather a tool for temporary changes.

"most of these tricks became totally useless"

Absolute rubbish again... Total and utter. You sound like Microsoft when they said defragging was totally unnecessary with NT3. The next release they supplied a defragger.

Name one of the items that I posted that is useless. They all work and can perform significant improvements. Often I use them as troubleshootong steps when people have performance problems and with some success. Virus scanner exclusions , defrag, schedule, startup program, windows update item, driver update, chkdsk all contribute to a stable and quick system and can bring huge improvements to performance and stability.

The only one debatable is registry optimisation as I clearly statated at the beginning and agree its dangerous to tweek the registry unless you know what you are doing. Funily enough you seem to use that one as the example. And as I stated I totally disagree with disabling task scheduler, it should be tweeked.