Hardware Recommendations

Windows 11 with latest updates is recommended. Outdated Windows 7/8 systems are still supported.

To achieve best results we recommend to use (Winter 2020/2021):

• Processors: Intel i9, i7 series, models with higher clock frequency are better. For extremely high requirements we recommend processors from 10 core Intel i9-10900X up to 18 core Intel i9-10980XE Extreme Edition. In all cases 14 nm or even emerging 10 nm lithography is preferable.

• AVX2 instructions support is desirable, since the new OptiLayer release can efficiently take advantage of vectorization.

• AMD processors can also be used.

• High FSB (Front side bus) speed. Modern Intel processors support 2666 MHz FSB and higher (DDR4 memory).

• DDR3 or DDR4 fast RAM. Modern computers typically have at least 4 GB. More RAM is better (mainly because Windows OS is more responsible).

• High-resolution large monitors are recommended. Resolution 1280×1024 is OK, but higher resolutions increase productivity of work very significantly. 1600×1200, 1920×1080 and similar may be optimal for the moment.

• Multi-Monitor configurations are supported, starting with v. 13.77d monitors with different scaling are also supported (Windows 10).

• 4K resolution monitors are supported starting with v. 11.65.

Starting from Version 10.48:

OptiLayer software follows the highest modern software standards.

• Multi-instance modes of all three programs. It is possible to start several copies (instances) of any of these programs simultaneously. Similar to MS Office inactive instances are automatically minimized but can perform background tasks. Different instances should use different Problem directories and respective checks are implemented in order to avoid sharing conflicts.

If you have problems with installation, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (Hardware).

Problem with USB III:

USB III controllers at some modern computers may suspend communications with the hardware key in some quite rare cases.  This problem can be easily fixed:  just try other USB ports! It is better to use not USB III, but classical USB II ports. In cases if your computer has only USB III connections, you can use any cheap USB hub that will automatically downgrade USB III to USB II.

Windows 10 or 11 crashes during OptiLayer Installation

In some new laptops a new security option: “Memory Integrity” is activated. It was introduced just recently and by default this option is not active. This option should increase security of your device, but unfortunately it conflicts with non-Microsoft drivers, including the drivers supplied with OptiLayer software.
Therefore in order to use OptiLayer at these notebooks you must set Memory Integrity = OFF.
You can find this option in “Windows Security” -> Device Security -> Core Isolation -> Memory Integrity.

It can happen that this option is ON and disabled (greyed). In this case the control of this option is occurred with so-called Group Policy. This situation is trickier, most likely you will need to contact your IT department to change Memory Integrity to OFF. You can also contact us directly for further instructions.