Solved Do apps auto download updates when gaming?

MK77P · Jun 18, 2023

For example I have Firefox, Edge, PowerToys set to auto download updates, when playing games is there any chance that any app that's set to auto download updates will download during gaming? or will the system or the apps hold downloading until you exist the game? or will they simply download no matter what? (I'm just wondering about this becuase of multiplayer gaming, becuase sometimes my PING gets very high so I'm guessing either one of the apps is downloading when I'm playing or this might be another issue with something else).

SoFine409 · Jun 18, 2023

MK77P said:
For example I have Firefox, Edge, PowerToys set to auto download updates, when playing games is there any chance that any app that's set to auto download updates will download during gaming? or will the system or the apps hold downloading until you exist the game? or will they simply download no matter what? (I'm just wondering about this becuase of multiplayer gaming, becuase sometimes my PING gets very high so I'm guessing either one of the apps is downloading when I'm playing or this might be another issue with something else).

Windows 11 Gaming Mode How to Turn On or Off Game Mode in Windows 11 - MajorGeeks.

Turn On or Off Game Mode in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off Game Mode for your account in Windows 11. When you use Game Mode, Windows prioritizes your gaming experience. When you’re running a game, Game Mode: Prevents Windows Update from performing driver installations and sending restart notifications...

www.elevenforum.com

MK77P · Jun 18, 2023

SoFine409 said:
Windows 11 Gaming Mode How to Turn On or Off Game Mode in Windows 11 - MajorGeeks.

It says "turning things off in the background, including Windows Updates as you play" does that include apps that are not from Microsoft that are outside of Windows Updates and Microsoft Store? like Firefox, Logitech G Hub and Adobe?

zebal · Jun 19, 2023

MK77P said:
does that include apps that are not from Microsoft that are outside of Windows Updates and Microsoft Store? like Firefox, Logitech G Hub and Adobe?

Good question, desktop programs unlike store apps update them self in one of the 4 ways:
1. trough task scheduler task
2. trough windows service
3. when you start program
4. when manually checked for updates in program menu

For game mode points 3 and 4 are not relevant.
For point 1 game mode is known to disable task scheduler tasks while a game is running, see:
When I open a game it disables most of my tasks in the task scheduler

For point 2 I suspect game mode has no effect because there is not a single resource online to hint at windows services be aware of game mode.
Firefox for ex. updates trough windows maintenance service.

MK77P · Jun 19, 2023

Think the best sultion here is to simply disable everything from auto updating which is what I did.

zebal · Jun 19, 2023

MK77P said:
Think the best sultion here is to simply disable everything from auto updating which is what I did.

The old fashioned micromanagement to gain 0,00001% performance during gaming:

1. Disable all auto startups of programs
2. Disable all services in services.msc you don't need
3. Set your desktop theme and background to minimal
4. Close down all programs except game during gaming
5. Update all your drivers to the latest from manufacturer's site
6. Reboot system before you start game and start no other program

This is gaming setup from the previous millennia lol, when hardware resources were scarce and we all wanted to play latest games.
I no longer do this but you might find it useful.

It's still relevant for online gaming in some cases.