Windows System Assessment Tool: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Computer assessment tool for Windows}}

[[Image:WinSAT5744.JPG|thumb|240px|Windows Experience Index in Windows Vista RC 2 (build 5744)]]

{{redirect|Windows Experience|the version of Microsoft Windows|Windows XP}}

'''Windows System Assessment Tool''' (WinSAT) is the codename for the automatic system optimizer/tweaker built into the Ultimate edition of [[Microsoft]]'s upcoming [[operating system]], [[Windows Vista]], as well as [[Windows Server "Longhorn"|Windows Server codename "Longhorn"]].

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2015}}

{{Infobox software

| name = WinSAT

| logo = <!-- Image name is enough -->

| logo caption =

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| logo_alt =

| screenshot = WinSAT-en.PNG

| caption = A sample test result from a PC running [[Windows 8]]

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| developer = [[Microsoft]]

| released = {{Start date and age|2005|3}} (announced)

| discontinued =

| latest release version =

| latest release date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD/no}} -->

| latest preview version =

| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD/no}} -->

| status =

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| operating system = {{Plainlist|

* [[Windows Vista]]

* [[Windows 7]]

* [[Windows 8]]

* [[Windows 8.1]]

* [[Windows 10]]

* [[Windows 11]]

}}

| platform = [[x86]], [[x86-64]]

| size =

| language =

| language count = <!-- Number only -->

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| genre = [[Computer performance]] measurement

| license =

| alexa =

| website = [http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/cc948912%28v=vs.85%29.aspx Windows System Assessment Tool at MSDN]

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}}

The '''Windows System Assessment Tool''' ('''WinSAT''') is a module of [[Microsoft Windows Vista]], [[Windows 7]], [[Windows 8]], [[Windows 8.1]], [[Windows 10]], and [[Windows 11]] that is available in the [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]] under ''Performance Information and Tools'' (except in [[Windows 8.1]], [[Windows 10]], and [[Windows 11]]). It measures various performance characteristics and capabilities of the hardware it is running on and reports them as a '''Windows Experience Index''' ('''WEI''') score. The WEI includes five subscores: processor, memory, 2D graphics, 3D graphics, and disk; the basescore is equal to the lowest of the subscores and is not an average of the subscores.<ref name="Softpedia">{{cite web |title=Windows 7 WEI Scores 6.0 through 7.9 Explained|date=December 13, 2010 |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-WEI-Scores-6-0-through-7-9-Explained-172277.shtml |publisher=Softpedia |access-date=June 3, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Microsoft_Perfect_Score">{{cite web |title=Earning the top Windows Experience Index score |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/achieving-a-perfect-windows-experience-index-score-in-windows-7 |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=June 3, 2011}}</ref> WinSAT reports WEI scores on a scale from 1.0 to 5.9 for Windows Vista,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/09/22/windows-experience-index-an-in-depth-look.aspx |title=Vista Team Blog : Windows Experience Index: An In-Depth Look |access-date=November 22, 2006 |archive-date=November 10, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110165619/http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/09/22/windows-experience-index-an-in-depth-look.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> 7.9 for Windows 7,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/239713/how_to_max_out_your_windows_performance_for_1000.html |title = How to Max Out Your Windows Performance for $1000 | author = Marco Chiappetta |publisher = [[PC World]] | date = September 8, 2011 | access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> and 9.9 for Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/hh825488.aspx |title = WinSAT Comprehensive | date = October 20, 2013 | publisher = MSDN | access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>

WinSAT works by running a series of tests, and giving each section a rating (see screenshot). It then uses a "special algorithm" (not a direct average) to determine the system's overall "Windows Experience Index." Higher numbers reflect a better overall level of performance.

The WEI enables users to match their computer hardware performance with the performance requirements of software. For example, the [[Windows Aero|Aero]] [[graphical user interface]] will not automatically be enabled unless the system has a WEI score of 3 or higher.<ref>{{cite web |title=Full screen previews have got disabled. How do I re-enable them? |url=http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-desktop/full-screen-previews-have-got-disabled-how-do-i-re/d44193c0-7e51-4a2f-8ec0-4ac115c710c0 |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=June 3, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What Is the Windows Experience Index |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-is-the-Windows-Experience-Index |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=June 3, 2011}}</ref>

The scores are then used to automatically modify the system configuration, so users can get the most "bang for their buck." However, the tool may disable certain OS features if the score is "too low". For example, Aero Glass' translucency and blurring features will not function without a high enough WinSAT score (or a registry hack to override the check).

The WEI can also be used to show which part of a system would be expected to provide the greatest increase in performance when upgraded. For example, a computer with the lowest subscore being its memory, would benefit more from a [[RAM]] upgrade than adding a faster hard drive (or any other component).<ref name="Microsoft_Perfect_Score"/>

Besides tweaking the OS (operating system), WinSAT may be used by 3rd party applications to determine their own optimal configuration. It can instruct applications to activate, change their own configurations, or shut themselves down, in order to optimize them for your specific hardware. For example, a [[computer and video games|computer game]] may ask WinSAT for a system evaluation, and, depending on the results, turn off unnecessary features during gameplay, thus increasing overall performance.

Detailed raw performance information, like actual disk bandwidth, can be obtained by invoking <code>winsat</code> from the command line. This also allows only specific tests to be re-run.<ref>[http://windowsitpro.com/systems-management/winsat-command-line-utility Winsat Command-Line Utility]</ref> Obtaining the WEI score from the command line is done invoking <code>winsat formal</code>, which also updates the value stored in <code>%systemroot%\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore</code>.<ref>[http://windowsitpro.com/systems-management/how-can-i-run-windows-system-assessment-tool-winsat-update-directly-command-line How can I run the Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSAT) update directly from a command line?]</ref> (The XML files stored there can be easily hacked to report fake performance values.<ref>[http://www.howtogeek.com/71500/stupid-geek-tricks-hacking-the-windows-experience-index/ Stupid Geek Tricks: Hacking the Windows Experience Index]</ref>) The WEI is also available to applications through an [[API]], so they can configure themselves as a function of hardware performance, taking advantage of its capabilities without becoming unacceptably slow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Windows Experience Index: Overview |date=July 10, 2009 |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc507870.aspx |publisher=Microsoft TechNet |access-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref>

Users can also use WinSAT's rating to find software that will fit their system performance-wise.

The Windows Experience Index score is not displayed in [[Windows 8.1]] and onwards because the [[graphical user interface]] for WinSAT was removed in these versions of Windows, although the [[command line]] winsat tool still exists and operates correctly along with a final score when launching the command "shell:games".<ref name="WEI killed">{{cite web| url=http://www.cnet.com/how-to/find-your-windows-experience-index-scores-in-windows-8-1/| title=Find your Windows Experience Index scores in Windows 8.1 | author = Ed Rhee |

[[Power user]]s can also use WinSAT to determine both software and hardware bottlenecks, so they can improve their system score by removing slow boot up programs or drivers, or simply by buying better hardware to boost their lowest-scoring test.

date=January 2, 2014 | publisher=[[CNET]]| access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> According to an article in [[PC Pro]], Microsoft removed the WinSAT GUI in order to promote the idea that all kinds of hardware run Windows 8 equally well.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2013/09/19/farewell-to-the-windows-experience-index/ | date = September 19, 2013 | author = Darien Graham-Smith| title = Farewell to the Windows Experience Index | access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>

==TestsHistory==

At the 2003 [[Game Developers Conference]] Dean Lester, Microsoft's General Manager of Windows Graphics and Gaming, stated in an interview with [[GameSpot]] that Microsoft intended to focus on improvements to the PC gaming experience as part of a new gaming initiative for the next version of Windows, [[Windows Vista]], then codenamed "Longhorn." Lester stated that as part of this initiative the operating system would include a [[Games for Windows#Games Explorer|games folder that would centralize settings pertinent to gamers]] and, among other features, [[Windows Display Driver Model|display driver streamlining]], [[Security and safety features new to Windows Vista#Parental controls|parental controls for games]] and the [[Games for Windows#Tray and Play|ability to start a Windows game directly from optical media]] during installation—in a manner similar to games designed for a [[video game console]]. Microsoft would also require a new method of displaying system requirements on retail packaging for Windows games with a rating system that would categorize games based on a numerical system.<ref name="GDC">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsofts-big-pc-plans/1100-2912498/ |title=Microsoft's big PC plans |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=March 10, 2003 |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref> In 2004, Lester expanded further on Microsoft's intentions by stating that the company would work with hardware manufacturers to create PCs for Windows Vista that used a "level system" to designate the performance and capabilities of a system's hardware and that [[Xbox 360]] peripherals would be fully compatible with the operating system.<ref name="LonghornXbox">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-talks-longhorn-xna-and-xbox-2/1100-6108247/ |title=Microsoft talks Longhorn, XNA, and Xbox 2 |date=September 22, 2004 |author=GameSpot |author-link=GameSpot |access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> The Windows Experience Index feature in Windows Vista relies on measurements taken with WinSAT to provide an accurate assessment of a system's capabilities—these capabilities are presented in the form of a rating, where a higher rating indicates better performance.

{{OR}}

Here is the list of tests performed by the Windows Vista Beta 2 version of WinSAT. None result in any on-screen things to watch, apart from a progress bar and a "working" background animation. Note that Aero Glass will deactivate while the tests are running, likely because it uses a significant percentage of CPU cycles on slower machines even while they are idle.

Preliminary design elements created for Microsoft by Robert Stein in 2004 suggest that WinSAT was intended to rate a user's hardware during the [[out-of-box experience]];<ref name="Stein">{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/rs3art/304021764/in/set-72157594393542938 |title=Aurora for OOBE |last=Stein |first=Robert |work=[[Flickr]] |date=November 22, 2006 |access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> this is a design decision that would be retained for the operating system's [[release to manufacturing]].<ref name="WinSAT2006">{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/b/9/5b97017b-e28a-4bae-ba48-174cf47d23cd/cpa101_wh06.ppt |title=Windows Vista System Requirements and WinSAT |last=Russell |first=Richard |date=2006 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |format=PPT |access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref>

*Aero Assessment

During the [[Windows Hardware Engineering Conference]] of 2005, Microsoft formally unveiled the existence of WinSAT and presented it as a technology not only for games, but one that would allow Windows Vista to make decisions, such as whether to enable [[compositing window manager|desktop composition]], based on a machine's hardware capabilities.<ref name="LongShort">{{cite web |url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/the-long-and-short-of-longhorns-hardware-requirements/ |title=The long and short of Longhorn's hardware requirements |last=Shultz |first=Greg |date=June 30, 2005 |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[TechRepublic]] |access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Muench">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mikehall/archive/2005/04/26/412402.aspx |title=WinHEC : Chris Muench Report for Day 2 - Everything has two sides |last=Muench |first=Chris |date=April 26, 2005 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=MSDN Blogs |access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref><ref name="WinSAT2005">{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/8/f/98f3fe47-dfc3-4e74-92a3-088782200fe7/TWAR05002_WinHEC05.ppt |title=System Performance Assessment Tools for Windows 'Longhorn' |last=Russell |first=Richard |date=2005 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |format=PPT |access-date=April 18, 2015 |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105224141/http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/8/f/98f3fe47-dfc3-4e74-92a3-088782200fe7/TWAR05002_WinHEC05.ppt |url-status=dead }}</ref> WinSAT would remain a key focus throughout development of the operating system before its release to manufacturing.<ref name="WinSAT2006"/>

This, presumably, is the test that determines whether or not Aero glass can be used. It probably contributes to the "Graphics" rating.

==Tests==

*Direct3D Alpha Blending Assessment

{{unreferenced section|date=March 2014}}

*Direct3D Texture Load Assessment

WinSAT in Windows Vista and Windows 7 performs the following tests:

*Direct3D ALU Assessment

* Direct3D 9 Aero Assessment

* Direct3D 9 Batch Assessment

* Direct3D 9 [[alpha compositing|Alpha Blend]] Assessment

* Direct3D 9 [[texture mapping|Texture]] Load Assessment

* Direct3D 9 [[arithmetic logic unit|ALU]] Assessment

* Direct3D 10 Batch Assessment

* Direct3D 10 Alpha Blend Assessment

* Direct3D 10 Texture Load Assessment

* Direct3D 10 ALU Assessment

* Direct3D 10 Geometry Assessment

* Direct3D 10 Constant Buffer Assessment

* Windows Media Decoding Performance

* Windows Media Encoding Performance

* [[Central processing unit|CPU]] Performance

* [[Computer storage|Memory]] Performance

* [[Hard disk|Disk]] Performance (includes devices such as [[Solid-state drive]]s)

While running, the tests show only a progress bar and a "working" background animation. Aero Glass is deactivated on Windows Vista and Windows 7 during testing so the tool can properly assess the graphics card and CPU.

These all likely contribute to "Gaming graphics" rating.

In Windows 8, WinSAT runs under the maintenance scheduler every week. The default schedule is 1am on Sundays. The maintenance scheduler collates various OS tasks into a schedule so the computer is not being randomly interrupted by the individual tasks. The scheduler wakes the computer from sleep, runs all the scheduled tasks and then puts the computer back to sleep. During this weekly task, WinSAT runs long enough to detect if there have been any hardware changes. If so, then the tests are run again. If not, then WinSAT simply ends as the existing scores must be valid.

*Windows Media Playback

WinSAT cannot perform the above tests when a laptop is battery-operated.

Probably "graphics" rating. This probably assesses the ability of your machine to play video.

==References==

*CPU Performance

{{Reflist|2}}

*Memory Performance

*Disk Performance

These are all quick tests that contribute to their respective categories.

==External links==

{{Wikibooks|Guide to Windows Commands}}

*[http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/topics/vista/winsat.mspx TechNet: Script Center: The System Assessment Tool]

* [http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ms737395.aspx WinSAT API]

*[http://www.tgdaily.com/2005/07/11/longhorn/index.html TG Daily: Longhorn's Secret Modder Surprises]

* [https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9MT9H8PTP897 WinSAT Microsoft Store app for Windows 11 and Windows 10]

{{Windows Components}}

{{Windows commands}}

[[Category:Windows2005 Vistasoftware]]

[[Category:Windows Vista|System Assessment Tool]]

[[Category:Benchmarks (computing)]]