Optimizing for diskspace, performance and battery life for Vaio Flip (and others)

Hi.
I've been optimizing my PCs since my 286AT with MsDos and every time they worked flawlessly. This time, when I received my Vaio Flip 13 with 65% space of ssd used, noisy fan, and tons of bloatware , I thought What The....
I don't want to take it back since i like this design. So my goal is to optimize (with help of others) this machine for minimal installation size (about 10gb), with only necessary services for faster boot and less fan usage, and better battery life.
UPDATED 23 XI, below are first tutorials

SIMPLE AND FAST OPTIMIZATION FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE , FAN, AND BATTERY LIFE:

1. Services > open Control Panel, Select View by Icons, Open Administrative Tools, and open Services
Disable all services shown below


2. Task Scheduler > open Control Panel, Select View by Iconc, Open Administrative Tools, and open Task Scheduler
Disable all Sony services in all folders


3 Task Manager Use search to find it
Disable all services shown below


4. Disable Microsoft Features
Disable SKYDRIVE (if dont need it) How to disable SkyDrive in Windows 8.1 | Ghacks

Disable MS STORE checking for updates Windows 8.1 Tip: Disable App Auto-Update | Windows 8 content from Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

Disable Indexing, Animations, use standard built in protection
How To Make Windows 8 Go Faster: 8 Tips For Improving Performance

Remove unused Metro apps, or disable live view.

Disable NFC and Blutooth ( i found it in Airplane Mode options)

Uninstal MacFee

4. Disable Microsoft Services
Coming soon

^^^This should give you great boost in perfomance

SIMPLE AND FAST OPTIMIZATION FOR DRIVE SPACE WITHOUT RE-INSTALL

1. Uninstall all unwanted apps

2. Disable Hibernation, Pagefile, Sytem Restore..
How to Increase the Free Space on the Surface Pro | Pocketnow

3. Advanced - move recovery partition to bootable USB
I tried Recovery from Control Panel, but somehow option for moving was grayed out, So I used Sony Solution:
run Vaio Care Desktop>Advanced tools > Restore and recovery > Create recovery media.
(not all flash USB works, watch out for Sandisks)
After that we can copy all files from USB to safe place, or leave it there
Then we can remove this partition - I will post my results later.


ADVANCED: WINDOWS REINSTALL
Not tested yet.
There are two solution, One is to use original recovery drive, and using WinReducer disable all unwanted stuff
Customize Your Windows 8 Installation Disc and Slipstream Updates With WinReducer
Edit: Its not ideal, because its still 8.0 version

Second, Is to download Windows 8.1 and strip it with WinReducer,
How to download the official Microsoft Windows 8.1 ISO | How To - CNET
Get original win key with Belarc Adiviser, and Install.
Then, collect all drivers and install them, EDIT there are no drivers for clean install, and Sony doesn't recommend that solution.

 

Here is list of installed apps


CamScanner Version 1.1.2.4
Adobe Systems - Acrobat Update Service Version 1, 7, 4, 0
Adobe Systems - Reader and Acrobat Manager Version 1.7.4.0
Adobe Systems - Reader Version 11.0.03.37
Adobe Systems - Shockwave Flash Version 11,7,700,224
ArcSoft - Camera For VAIO Version 1.0.1.501
ELAN Microelectronics - Smart-Pad Version 11.33.0.0
ELAN Microelectronics - Smart-Pad Version 11.7.0.0
Intel - AppUp Version 3.9.1.40254
Intel - BlueTooth High Speed Version 15.6.0.0
Intel - Capability Licensing Service Interface Version 1,28,487,1
Intel - Capability Licensing Service TCP IP Interface Version 1,28,487,1
Intel - Centrino Wireless Bluetooth High Speed Version 16.1.0.0
Intel - Common User Interface Version 8.15.10.3257
Intel - Dynamic Application Loader Host Interface Version 9.5.12.1682
Intel - Energy Checker Version 1.0
INTEL - Intel AppUpR Catalogue App - (V) European Edition Version 1.3.40.881
Intel - IntelCpHeciSvc Executable Version 9.0.0.1340
Intel - ISCTsysTray Version 4.2.40.2384
Intel - Management and Security Application Local Management Service Version 9.5.10.1628
Intel - ME Service Version 9.5.10.1628
Intel - PROSet/Wireless Version 16, 1, 0, 0
Intel - QuickLinker Version 3.9.0.43953.7
Intel - Services Manager Version 1.16.0.36713
Intel - Smart Connect Technology Version 4.2.40.2384
Intel - WiDi Version 4.2.15.0
Intel - WiDiApp Version 4.2.15.0
Intel - Wireless Bluetooth Version 3.0.1323.02
McAfee - Installer Version 7,1,0,0
McAfee - McAfeeR Central for Sony Version 2.0.0.0
McAfee - Security Scanner + Version 3,1,0,0
Microsoft - .NET Framework Version 3.0.6920.6387
Microsoft - .NET Framework Version 4.0.31106.0
Microsoft - Aparat Version 6.2.9200.20523
Microsoft - Bing Version 1.5.1.259
Microsoft - Bing Wiadomości Version 2.0.0.273
Microsoft - Czytnik Version 6.2.9200.20623
Microsoft - Finanse Version 2.0.0.275
Microsoft - Gry Version 1.3.10.0
Microsoft - IME 2012 Version 15.0.9200.16384
Microsoft - Internet Explorer Version 10.00.9200.16384
Microsoft - Malware Protection Version 4.2.0223.0
Microsoft - Mapy Version 1.6.1528.2509
Microsoft - Muzyka Version 1.3.59.0
Microsoft - Office Version 15.0.4454.1000
Microsoft - Poczta, Kalendarz, Kontakty i Wiadomości Version 17.0.1119.516
Microsoft - Podróże Version 2.0.0.274
Microsoft - Pogoda Version 2.0.0.288
Microsoft - SkyDrive Version 16.4.4388.928
Microsoft - SnapFish_launcher Version 1.0.0.2
Microsoft - Sport Version 2.0.0.273
Microsoft - Wideo Version 1.3.59.0
Microsoft - Windows Defender Version 4.2.0223.0
Microsoft - Windows Installer - Unicode Version 5.0.9200.16384
Microsoft - Windows Media Player Version 12.0.9200.16384
Microsoft - Windows Script Host Version 5.8.9200.16384
Microsoft - Windows Search Version 7.00.9200.16384
Microsoft - Zdjęcia Version 16.4.4388.928
Motorola Solutions - Intel PROSet\Wireless Bluetooth Version 3.1.1306.0352
No Company Name - Intel Smart Connect Technology Version 4.2.40.2384
No Company Name - Wireless PAN DHCP and DNS Server Version 16, 1, 0, 0
Oracle - Java Platform SE 7 U25 Version 7.0.250.16
Realtek Semiconductor - Audio Service Version 1, 0, 0, 49
Realtek Semiconductor - HD Audio Background Process Version 1, 0, 0, 163
Skype - Skype Version 1.7.0.141
Sony - Album przez Sony Version 1.0.3.4250
Sony - Home Network Library Version 3.2.0.02220
Sony - Muzyka przez Sony Version 1.0.5.8300
Sony - PlayMemories Home Version 7.0.02.14060
Sony - Socialife Version 1.2.3.7190
Sony - VAIO Audio Utility Version 6.3.0.07260
Sony - VAIO Care Version 1.3.1.8220
Sony - VAIO Care Version 8.3.0.08020
Sony - VAIO Clip Version 1.0.0.8050
Sony - VAIO Content Folder Watcher Version 1.10.1.10100
Sony - VAIO Control Center Version 1.2.0.07260
Sony - VAIO Control Center Version 6.3.0.07260
Sony - VAIO Data Restore Tool Version 1.11.0.13050
Sony - VAIO Entertainment Version 1.3.0.09090
Sony - VAIO Gesture Control Version 2.4.0.06280
Sony - VAIO Message Center Version 1.3.0.5210
Sony - VAIO Movie Creator Version 4.2.00.07040
Sony - VAIO Paper Version 1.0.1.8071
Sony - VAIO Power Management Version 6.2.0.07260
Sony - VAIO Transfer Support Version 1.9.0.11060
Sony - VAIO Update Version 6.2.0.13290
Sony - VAIOShellStarter.exe Version 8.3.0.08020
Sony - Xperia Link Version 1.3.0.05240
Sony Creative Software - ACID Music Studio Version 9.0 (Build 35)
Sony Creative Software - DVD Architect Studio Version 5.0 (Build 161)
Sony Creative Software - Movie Studio Platinum Version 12.0 (Build 756) 64-bit
Sony Creative Software - Sound Forge Audio Studio Version 10.0 (Build 178)
WildTangent - Game Explorer Categories Version 7.1.0.1
WildTangent - Games App V2 Presence Detector Version 4.0.5.13
WildTangent - Games App Version 4.0.4918.0
WildTangent Games - - Games App - Version 1.0.0.80
XIMAD - Bubble Birds for VAIO Version 1.0.6.8

 

Awesome thread. wow, I didn't realize how many installed apps are on the Flip.

With all the devices I have I from smartphones to pcs' tablets etc, I usually make some sort of backup of the device so that way if i decide to return it in (for warranty work) or decide to sell the device, at least i can put it back to its' original state. But for some reason with Windows 8 i am totally lost as to how to do this properly. This thread will surely help in that process. t will be great if you did a step by step.

So, question (you knew this was coming)
Is there a way to backup everything on the Flip before this process is started? I assume one uses recovery but I'm not too certain.

when you state..

Is the Sony solution on the device or is there a separate app or web page detailing how to do this?

I look forward to your project's progress.

TS

 

I did... after I started uninstalling the stuff. I have never had a PC with this much bloatware. When ordering I didn't see the option for 'fresh start'. Otherwise I would have checked it. I will clean my system the hard way (application after application) since there may be some things I might wish to keep or at least check out before I chuck them out. The crazy thing is, I deselected all the software options I could when ordering. I still got s**t like McAfee as a 'present'.

Uninstalling on Windows 8 is not as straightforward as you might think, looking at how easy it is installing apps and the like. Most apps don't show up in the control panel. In the Windows Marketplace there is no uninstall option either, so you have to go to the 'all apps' overview, right click and select 'uninstall'.

 

Sony solution creates 18gb bootable usb, so I think its total package. I've updated 8.1 but I'dont know if recovery is also updater or os it 8.0.
To create recovery you need to run Vaio Care Desktop>Advanced tools > Restore and recovery > Create recovery media.

Right now I'm trying to deceide which services are required for safe work.

Edit, Right now after simple optimization of startup services my initial memory usage is 1.3gb, fan is very quiet while browsing web on standard mode, and battery shows 8h 98% on 50% screen brightnes

Also do you know good program for checking battery life, and also something for monitpring fans? I'm using OpenHardwReMonitor but it only shows cpu temp (its now showing about 37 c compared to 43 at the first checking)

 

Can you do a bit of a battery rundown with your optimized flip? Like use it for an hour or two and then report the time remaining? 8 hours of web browsing and such would be awesome. I might overlook the fan if thats the case. Are you operating on 'silent' mode or is the fan now pretty quiet on standard?

As for the fans it looks like no software programs can access them, SpeedFan failed as did HWMonitor from what I've read.

 

And is that the list of apps AFTER you optimized or before?

If I just wanted to be able to browse the internet, watch movies & use the Office programs, which apps from that list could a person do wihtout?

 

All this optimization and you're still on windows...
If you do this under a Unix, you can go much lower, that's what I prefer

 

rveener: right now fan is set to standard and its very quiet, with constant speed (no speed ups) while browsing. in silent modw its mostly silent.
classicrock: this is list of freshly opened vaio, taken vith Belarc Advisor.
Rempving aps will mostly help with recovering disc space. Most important is to disable services, I will post my list later

chbla: I need some windows apps for work

 

Here is my list of disabled services, If you think I shoud add something or remove let me know

1. I disabled all Sony tasks in task sheduler

2. In task manager I disabled in startup:
Adobe reader
Browser choice
HD audio background
igfxTray
ICST systray
Realtek Camera
and left those untouched
Btmshellex (bluetooth?)
ETD Control Center (?)
hkcmd and persistence (Ithink they are requied by Intel machines)

3 System Configuration Startup
I disabled all sony vaio stuff, VUagent, VCservice, adobe,mcafee,realtec,eneegy server,zero configuration, wireless registry,dhcp server.
Im not sure about the rest

4.still have to disable some of windows services

5.In metro menu its good to remove unused apps or disable live view. Also disabling Store checking and Skydrive should help

http://www.ghacks.net/2013/11/02/disable-skydrive-windows-8-1/
http://www.howtogeek.com/167058/how-to-disable-skydrive-integration-in-windows-8.1/
http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-disable-app-auto-update

 

Franek, did you get all the drivers (especially the pen) to work after the clean install?

 

^^^^ , no ,right now I only uninstalled some aps, and disabled some services, which is big enhancment.
I will try to analyze recovery drive to see if its possible to customize it - create only essential installation


Regarding battery checking, I've found app Battery Eater which basicly drains power and saves results. There are two profiles -Classic and Reader. I will run them later, If anybody else can, plase also make this test (with fully charged battery)

 

Hey Franek,

Great thread. I have been eagerly copying all your tips, links and lists.

I have been uninstalling as many apps and programmes as I have had nerves to do - however I do find some apps and programmes useful/necessary - but I am not sure - and I am not sure wether some of them actually take up CPU or RAM?
E.g. I think the four semi-professional software (Sound Forge etc.) could come in quite handy and don't think they take up anything but disc space.
Also, I suppose the ELAN and the Bluetooth programmes would be quite useful for a smooth operating computer?
Then CamScanner can come in handy at times.

What is your take on what is necessary? (I too want a minimalistic installation of software - but also want a smooth running computer in the every daytasks to do with a computer)

And maybe you could supply some lists from your optimized flip (e.g. programmes installed, services configurations, startup programs etc)

But all in all, thanks for all your efforts - Please state if you need any specific feedback/things solved.

 

I set Battery Eater for night with readers test (constant scrolling of text document) with wifi on, blutooth on, brightnes 50%, and silent mode, and I was hoping to share with you my results, but there is a problem, after 10 hours its still working It should end in about 2 hours
Also, I must check it precisly but right now my Flip turns on almost instantly in 1-2 seconds

EDIT: in readers test my Flip achived 12 hours

@ KnielsenDK: As I said before, removing apps mostly saves space. For better performance you need to disable services. I will post later screenshots of my configuration

 

Woah...TWELVE HOURS? That may be the best news about the Flip in quite some time. I'm bookmarking this thread so I can work your magic when mine arrives sometime next month!

 

I just finished Classic test with non stop rendered 3d object (maximum load), It took 4 hours.
I thinks its very good, because I've found review for Duo 13 and it got only 2:12 and most laptop only can handle one. ( but my screen was at 50% brightnes, not sure if it supposed to be 100)

 

Hi!

I'm new here, thanks for all the useful information. This is probably a stupid question, but anyways.. I copied the sony recovery partition to an USB, but in order get rid of the space on my hard drive, I need to do a clean installation? I'm not so experienced with this and since it seems to be some potential problems afterwards (drivers and more?), I have not dared yet.
But if I got the sony-recovery on my USB, I can restore it to it's orginal state, even after I format the drives and do clean install, right??
I have disabled some services and uninstalled apps, is there much more gain with doing a clean install?? 12 hours battery life seems tempting

Thanks!
Viktor

 

^^^ please see my updated first post

 

Excellent tips! There is hope for the flip!

 

Great thread. One question to you:
Has anyone tried to change the system cooling policy from active to passive?

I did it and I believe it helped a lot reducing the fan noise.
Control Panel>Power Options>Change advanced power settings>Processor Power Management>System Cooling Policy

 

Do you have the Flip 13A? I do, and that option doesn't exist....

 

Interesting. Yeah, it's a 13A.

 

strange indeed. Are you running 8.1?

 

Atw1322,

I saw your post on the yoga-2-pro-owners-thread. Sent you a response asking you a couple of question, but since I don’t know how often you plan to visit that thread, I will ask you the same here.

Has the fan erratic behavior stopped as well; does it still run for long periods of time even with the machine at low temperatures?

I was trying to decide between the Y2P and the flip, and when I learn about the fan and Sony not doing anything about it, I started to focus on the yoga, I bought it, but it didn't work for me. I was ready to start looking for a regular ultrabook instead, but it looks that now the Flip is getting it fixes too, so I want to take a second look.

I think I would like to go with the flip 14 or 15.

At my local BB they didn’t have the 15 on display, does it feel much heavier then the flip 14?

Has anyone else done the optimizations and BIOS updates and has got good results regarding the fan?

Let say I want to use the computer in my lap for a couple for 2 to 3 hours, doing some surfing, watching a video, M Office work, that kind of thing, nothing power hungry, would the flip get too warm or hot to the point that it would be uncomfortable to have it in my lap?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

12 hours!!!!!! 12 hours battery life....

Spoiler

Same here, I also do not have that option on my USA 13a Win 8 Flip. Maybe a region thing?

As for the tips outlined in the thread, I will try them out tonight on the Flip 13a. thanks Franek :thumbsup:

To avoid this thread getting off-topic I responded in that thread over in the Sony community forums.
TS

 

Thank you very much, and sorry about getting off topic. I'm just very eager to learn all I can so I can decide. So I ask when the opportunity present itself.

 

Weird. mine is a 13A from US, NY!
Try this path:
Control Panel>Power Options>Change plan settings>Change advanced power settings>Processor Power Management>System Cooling Policy

I missed one branch before.

WOW, 12h!! Great!

 

After disabling everything Franek advised, the fan is almost always off when it is set to silent operating mode. So far it only turns on intermittently when I have multiple tabs of chrome open.
The temperature has been very stable. The bottom is at a pleasant lukewarm temperature as i'm writing this post.

p.s. I also have a 13A (i7) from NY...and the cooling policy is nonexistent. It's ok though, Franek is a genius and solved the fan issue for now. I can't wait for some more of his tips!

 

Did you guys experience problems with the WI-FI? For some reason mine keeps loosing IP configuration every 6h or so.
Anything fix it but resetting the modem. And this is not a modem problem since my other computer stays connected.

Do you guy have any idea on how to fix it?

Tks

 

Try searching the other 2 threads on the flip, pretty sure I remember seeing a WiFi issue and fix there.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

WOW. Thank you very much.Things are looking better, I think I'm going to give the 14 a try.

Talking about optimization, anybody that owns a flip care to comment on what it is said about the flip's screen panel here.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ideapad-essential/735166-yoga-2-pro-owners-thread-142.html

Is anybody else experiencing this, is so, is there any way to optimize or mitigate this. (rather then moving your head or the screen )?

 

The 13A was back for sale on the Dutch Sony webstie and disappeared again. It was there long enough for me to see, that there is no option there for a 'Fresh start'. So I missed nothing, just got a load of crap for free.

 

@legzam358:
After otimization you can use Standard fan mode which makes fun alway woking but its very quiet and after a while you can forget about it, and makes cpu cool ( about 36' C). Or use silent mode, but if you make any more job at the time like browsing and office you can hear fan running from time to time, and cpu is little warmer ( about 40')

 

So, what is the battery life when the fan is on Standard mode and constantly working?

 

Heavy load was 4, readers test was 12h, so probably somewhere in the middle If you know any good program for battery testing let me know

 

Does anybody know if the fun running all the time or for long periods of time, would significantly reduce the battery life of the Flip?

 

Can the fan speed be reduce in BIOS, that way if it runs all the time, at least it could be a little quieter and eat less battery?

 

Does disabling the Realtek audio service affect the audio in any way?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

Guys I wanted an information, since tomorrow I'm gonna order a flip 13A with 128GB of SSD, I wanted to kown how much space you guys got just disinstalling all the software junk and siabling ibernation ect ect but not moving the recovery partition to an USB.

Thanks

 

Hibernation and Pagefile usualy is same size as ram size so with 8gb ram you will gain 16gb, I'm not sure about apps but somo of them were pro apps like Soundforge or Fruityloops so it could be 2-5gb

 

I just applied most of the tips from this thread. At the moment it appears to have the opposite effect. It seems to be eating my battery charge away. The battery life indication switches between 48 minutes and 2h 13min at a charge level of 36%. The fan is constantly on (I don't really mind the noise it is making).

I left the Elan services on. It seems to be needed for multitouch operation of the touch pad. I left the other 'in doubt' services enabled too.

I already made and copied the restore media. I think I will continue to work 'reducing' that and doing a fresh install with that. I do not dare to do a fresh install with neutral Windows 8.1 media yet. I'm afraid the drivers will be hard to find.

 

Hi,

My wifi issue was solved, but I have a new issue with my Flip13. Desktop backgound went dark and I can't set any background image.

Any ideas on how to fix it?

 

oddoneout: i have no problem with audio
Bryne: Make sure you have all windows updates installed

 

Good news! I was able to extract first drivers from Flip recover drive This means possibility for clean install.
I will post my progress soon

 

Any improvements?

Thanks.

Enviado desde mi iPad con Tapatalk HD

 

So I did everything suggested in this thread. However now I can't run Vaio Update anymore. How do I fix this?

 

Enable VUagent in services and anything in the VAIO update folder in the second image.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

After playing my custom Flip 15A 256GB SSD, I've noticed about 38GB of space missing. Anyone know why? Is it possible to gain that space back?

 

Any updates on this thread? I'm interested to do a clean install and wondering if people have been successful with getting everything working after (pen and touch, vaio update, etc).

 

Hi @Franek,

I've disabled the services and tasks as suggested, but now my screen won't auto rotate. Could anyone please let me know what needs to be done to fix this?

By the way, I've noticed some improvement in the battery life by an hour!!! Thanks