How to Optimise XenDesktop Machines

 

Original link:http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX125874 (Citrix Article)

The TargetOSOptimizer tool reconfigures various Windows functions to optimize the performance of the operating system for virtual desktops. Optimisation of the master VM is typically performed before the desktop catalogue is created.

Procedure

To optimise your master virtual machine, select the option to optimise the desktop when you install the Virtual Desktop Agent. This applies a predetermined set of optimisations specifically recommended for pooled and dedicated machines as part of the Virtual Desktop Agent installation process.

To apply additional optimizations to the master virtual machine at a later date, run the TargetOSOptimizer tool manually.

Optimisations are applied either through changes to the Windows registry or programmatically by disabling specific features. Some optimisations are only applicable to certain versions of Windows or, for physical machines, specific hardware such as particular network adapters.

A backup file named optimisations.reg is stored in the installation folder for the TargetOSOptimiser tool, typically located at C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\TargetOSOptimiser. Apply this file to the Windows registry to revert the most recent set of optimisations on the master virtual machine..

Specific Optimisations Performed by the Virtual Desktop Agent Installer

Disable Windows Autoupdate
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
WindowsUpdate\Auto Update]
"AUOptions"=dword:00000001
"ScheduledInstallDay"=dword:00000000
"ScheduledInstallTime"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv]
"Start"=dword:00000004

Disable Offline Files
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\NetCache]
"Enabled"=dword:00000000

Disable Disk Defragmentation BootOptimizeFunction
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction]
"Enable"="N"

Disable Background Layout Service
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
OptimalLayout]
"EnableAutoLayout"=dword:00000000

Disable System Restore
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\sr]
"Start"=dword:00000004
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\srservice]
"Start"=dword:00000004
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore]
"DisableSR"=dword:00000001

Disable Last Access Time Stamp
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem]
"NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate"=dword:00000001

Disable Hibernate
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power]
Various keys and values are set according to the version of Windows detected.

Disable CrashDump
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl]
"CrashDumpEnabled"=dword:00000000
"LogEvent"=dword:00000000
"SendAlert"=dword:00000000

Disable Indexing Service
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\cisvc]
"Start"=dword:00000004

Reduce Event Log File Size to 64 kB
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Eventlog\
Application]
“MaxSize"=dword:00010000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Eventlog\
Security]
"MaxSize"=dword:00010000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Eventlog\
System]
"MaxSize"=dword:00010000

Reduce Internet Explorer Temporary File Cache
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\Cache\Content]
"CacheLimit"=dword:00000400 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache\Content]
"CacheLimit"=dword:00000400 [HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\Cache\Content]
"CacheLimit"=dword:00000400
[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache\Content]
"CacheLimit"=dword:00000400
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings\Cache\Paths]
"Paths"=dword:00000004
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings\Cache\Paths\path1]
"CacheLimit"=dword:00000100
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings\Cache\Paths\path2]
"CacheLimit"=dword:00000100
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings\Cache\Paths\path3]
"CacheLimit"=dword:00000100
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Internet Settings\Cache\Paths\path4]
"CacheLimit"=dword:00000100

Disable Clear Page File at Shutdown
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management]
"ClearPageFileAtShutdown"=dword:00000000

Disable Superfetch (Windows 7)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SysMain]
"Start"=dword:00000004

Disable Windows Defender (Windows 7)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend]
"Start"=dword:00000004
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Run]
"Windows Defender"=hex(2):00

Disable Windows Search (Windows 7)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WSearch]
"Start"=dword:00000004

Disable Scheduled Disk Defragmentation (Windows 7) Programmatic optimisation.

Additional Optimisations Available When Running the Tool Manually

Disable Move to Recycle Bin (Windows XP)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\BitBucket]
“UseGlobalSettings"=dword:00000001
"NukeOnDelete"=dword:00000001

Disable Move to Recycle Bin (Windows 7)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoRecycleFiles"=dword:00000001

Disable Machine Account Password Changes
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\
Parameters]
"DisablePasswordChange"=dword:00000001

Disable UDP Checksum Offload (Only When a Broadcom NIC Is Detected)
Programmatic optimisation.