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Windows and Nvidia settings

Windows, Nvidia graphics card and program settings to make before installing BrainAssistant so the neurofeedback applications run smoothly.

Important settings that you can make before installing BrainAssistant to ensure that the neurofeedback applications run smoothly.

If notifications from other programs (e.g. from the Microsoft Store) appear while you are changing the Windows settings or setting up the necessary programs, do not simply click them away: click the three dots next to the X and select Disable all notifications for ….

General PC settings for the best neurofeedback experience

  1. Bluetooth and devices > Devices > Bluetooth devices discovery: Advanced (see Windows Bluetooth set to Advanced).

  2. System > Power / Power and battery > Power mode: High power / Best power (names vary).

    If this (or the following point) cannot be changed in the Windows 11 settings, it can probably be done in the old Control Panel: search for and open Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options.

  3. System > Power / Power and battery (name varies) > Screen and sleep:

    • Turn off the screen: 2 h
    • Sleep on battery power: 3 h
    • Sleep when plugged in: Never

  4. System > Display > Scale:

    • Set it to 100% or 125% depending on screen size and resolution.
    • It is best to check the scaling with BrainAssistant first; if no change is necessary, leave it as it is.

  5. Windows Update > Check for updates:

    • Run through all available updates. Sometimes Windows has problems installing components or gets stuck at “Downloading - 100%”, “Installation pending”, “Installing - 0%” and so on. In this case, check at the top whether Windows indicates that a restart is required.

    • Some updates require manual activation, so check the list of components again and again.

      It can take a long time for all Windows updates to complete (2 to 3 hours). As long as the PC is not restarting, other programs can normally be installed during this time.

    • If Windows offers to install the latest updates automatically, click Decline; if necessary, turn off Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available (move the slider to the left).

Graphics card settings (Nvidia) for a smooth gaming experience

  1. In the system settings, search for the Nvidia App. It is sometimes also called GeForce Experience; this is an old version and can be upgraded to the NVIDIA App.

    If neither is installed on your PC, search for “Nvidia App” in your web browser and download it for Windows: nvidia.com/en-us/software/nvidia-app. In the second step after installing the app, select the Game Ready Driver.

    In the Nvidia App, go to Driver > download the new driver > Install > select Express Installation.

    Close BrainAssistant while the new graphics driver is being installed, otherwise it may crash. The screen may also flicker, which is completely normal.

    After the new driver has been installed successfully, you can click the Reload icon above the installation button; Reinstall should then be selectable.

  2. Right-click the desktop > (Show more options >) NVIDIA Control Panel (allow any access requests):

    1. 3D Settings > Manage 3D Settings > Global Settings > Preferred graphics processor: select NVIDIA High Performance Processor from the drop-down menu.
    2. 3D Settings > Configure Surround, PhysX: select NVIDIA High Performance Processor from the drop-down menu.

  3. Right-click the taskbar > Taskbar settings:

    • Search: search box
    • Active applications: On
    • Widgets: Off
    • Chat: Off

Programs

To see the installed programs, right-click the Windows icon and select Installed apps.

Blacklist

The following programs can interfere with BrainAssistant and should definitely be uninstalled. As they sometimes cause problems during the installation, it is best to do this beforehand.

  • Avira
  • Norton (360)
  • McAfee
  • Intel Arc
  • BitDefender
  • G Data Security Client
  • Malwarebytes

When you uninstall antivirus programs, Microsoft Defender often shows a warning and reactivates itself. In Windows Settings > Windows Security > Open Windows Security you can check whether Microsoft Defender has been activated successfully.