[Funkmeister]

A nice little tweak for XP. Microsoft reserve 20% of your available bandwidth for their own purposes (suspect for updates and interrogating your machine etc..)

Here's how to get it back:

Click Start-->Run-->"gpedit.msc"

This opens the group policy editor. Then go to Local Computer Policy-->Computer Configuration-->Administrative Templates-->Network-->QOS Packet Scheduler-->Limit Reservable Bandwidth

Double click on Limit Reservable bandwidth. It will say it is not configured, but the truth is under the 'Explain' tab :

"By default, the Packet Scheduler limits the system to 20 percent of the bandwidth of a connection, but you can use this setting to override the default."

So the trick is to ENABLE reservable bandwidth, then set it to ZERO. This will allow the system to reserve nothing, rather than the default 20%.

Have fun.

Best,

[jgjulio]

I tried to type gpedit.msc as you said. Windows XP said it could not find anything.
Does this apply to specific OS's

[southernlady]

if you just do a copy and paste like I did, you have NO trouble finding it INTERESTING!!! Thanks. Liz

[ianscotm]

i can't find it either do i need to run the complete path name? i tried searching for the file name but no joy there either, i'm on xp home as well, just curious as well where did you find that little tit bit out?

[RickFriedman]

Originally Posted by Funkmeister

A nice little tweak for XP. Microsoft reserve 20% of your available bandwidth for their own purposes (suspect for updates and interrogating your machine etc..)

--snip--
"By default, the Packet Scheduler limits the system to 20 percent of the bandwidth of a connection, but you can use this setting to override the default."

So the trick is to ENABLE reservable bandwidth, then set it to ZERO. This will allow the system to reserve nothing, rather than the default 20%.

Actually, I don't believe this is strictly true. Microsoft has a knowledge base paper about this at http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q316666. The relevant part of it is reproduced below:

"Clarification about the use of QoS in end computers that are running Windows XP
As in Windows 2000, programs can take advantage of QoS through the QoS APIs in Windows XP. One hundred percent of the network bandwidth is available to be shared by all programs unless a program specifically requests priority bandwidth. This "reserved" bandwidth is still available to other programs unless the requesting program is sending data. By default, programs can reserve up to an aggregate bandwidth of 20 percent of the underlying link speed on each interface on an end computer. If the program that reserved the bandwidth is not sending sufficient data to use it, the unused part of the reserved bandwidth is available for other data flows on the same host.

For more information about the QoS Packet Scheduler, see Windows XP Help. Additional information about Windows 2000 QoS is available in the Windows 2000 technical library.
Correction of some incorrect claims about Windows XP QoS support
There have been claims in various published technical articles and newsgroup postings that Windows XP always reserves 20 percent of the available bandwidth for QoS. These claims are incorrect. The information in the "Clarification about QoS in end computers that are Running Windows XP" section correctly describes the behavior of Windows XP systems."

Rick

[Funkmeister]

Thanks for that Rick. As I noted, the bandwidth is not ALWAYS held back - it's only if MS want to send updates, snoop etc that the bandwidth is allocated. I like to control my PC and let it have bandwidth when I want it to. I COULD have been clearer in all honesty.

It's just an interesting tweak, and a tweak only. Not meant to start a huge debate!! lol

Best,

[I Fix 4 U]

so is microsoft snooping my computer with that or not?

[ianscotm]

they would have got away with it too if it wasn't for you pesky kids...

[I Fix 4 U]

o so i should disable it so that microsoft doesnt like hack into me and stuff like that.
SCOOBY DOOBY DOO!!!

[brendandonhu]

They sometimes reserve bandwidth to do updates and patches, therefore Microsoft is snooping on you? Talk about vodoo logic.

[Deathblow]

You can just go to Administrative tools to fix it. I did that years ago on mine.

[Bryan]

Just to clarify this, MS isn't snooping on you or taking away your bandwidth. The myth about QOS has been around for years and it's just a bunch of bunk. It just amazes me how things start, and once passed around enough, become fact. It usually starts with someone that refers to Windows as "Windoz" or Microsoft as "Microshit" etc... Clueless people who have no idea what goes into writing software and/or operating systems that need to interface with every imaginable hardware and/or software combination under the sun. It reminds me of one from a few years ago called the "VXD Fix". Microsoft supposedly had excluded certain VXD's from their install disk which was causing everything from internet connection problems to critical stop errors. The "VXD Fix" program was passed around til someone finally debunked it as rubbage. The "VXD Fix" program fixed nothing and in some cases caused more problems.

Anyway, search at Yahoo or Google for "QOS Microsoft myth" and you can read all about it but it's quite boring reading if you ask me.

[Funkmeister]

LOL what have I started?

It's a little-known fact that most websites and software companies do a discrete 'check' when you go to their websites to ensure you're using legit or up to date versions. This is either considered snooping (as it happens without your knowledge) but you probably agreed to it when you clicked 'I Agree' without reading the T's & C's.

[Bryan]

You haven't started anything, I'm actually glad it was brought up. I had totally forgot the issue til I saw it posted here ....

And you're right, if you browse the net you have to expect a little snooping ... It's the extent of it that matters. Most is harmless but some can be fatal. You just need to use common sense and READ before clicking.

If the box says "Do you want to change your homepage to www. ...", dont click on Yes if you don't want to change your homepage. Common sense if you ask me ... If the box says "Click here to speed up your internet connection .. or fix your computers problems" click NO or click on the "X" to close the box. NO ONE'S going to speed up your internet connection or fix your computer ! It's simple, if you want a faster connection, pay to get more bandwith with cable or DSL, if you want your computer fixed, visit www.techguy.org A little common sense can go along way ...

[I Fix 4 U]

i dont think anyone reads those long license agreements. its like the signs on the highway that says warning bridge may ice in cold weather. well who the hell cares, its just a way the government can say when you complain about injuring urself on a bridge all the gov says is we told u so, you agreed etc etc.

i'm disabling it anyway.