XP Stealing bandwidth

[Guest spook]

It appears that Windows XP's Quality of Service function reserves upto 20% of the available bandwidth, even when disabled in the network settings.  Following these simple steps will restore the full bandwidth to all network connections.

Make sure your logged on as actually "Administrator" (not an account that just has administrator privileges).

Start - run - type gpedit.msc

Expand the "Computer configuration" branch

Expand the "Administrative templates" branch

Expand the "Network" branch

Highlight the "QoS Packet Scheduler" in left window

In right window double click the "limit reservable bandwidth" setting

On setting tab check the "enabled" item

Where it says "Bandwidth limit %" change it to read 0-- Click apply, OK, exit gpedit.msc

Go to your Network connections (start->my computer->my network connection-> view network connections).

Right click on your connection, choose properties then under the General or the Networking tab (where it lists your protocols) make sure QoS packet scheduler is enabled.

Reboot , now you are all done.

I'm afraid I've lost the link, so all credit to whomever. May help improve available bandwidth in some instances...

[Scarthy © ® ™]

gpedit.msc is only available on XP Pro. :(

...or so I am led to believe...

Does anyone know of any ways to get the function on XP Home? I ask because a few 'extras' can be installed, on XP Home, from the Windows disc...eg. Windows Support Tools.

;)

[bvw]

Correcting 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 of this article correctly describes the behavior of Windows XP systems.

From: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316666

So, nothing to worry about :)

[mark2]

Thanks for that link BVW I knew I'd read somewhere that it was nothing to worry about but couldn't remember where !! :huh:

But do we believe M$ :D

[bvw]

Hi mark :)

I have read articles, somewhere in the distant past, that have tested the bandwidth stealing on XP and they have found no loss of bandwidth nor any gain when disabling the service. Sounds as though M$ are correct in what they say :)

[Prince of Calcutta]

gpedit.msc is only available on XP Pro. :(

you're right :(

i wish m/s had included this in home too

[Guest spook]

Yes. I must say I was immediately sceptical that 20% was in reservation 'all the time'. That would be immediately noticeable and would have created uproar.

Since having followed the above instructions, I can report that my connection is the same, with only very slight or no improvement. But, then, it is the question of 'when' Quality of Service reports back, as well as how much bandwidth it claims in the context of interruption caused.

I am a gamer, I hate instances where quality connection degrades, and try to limit these occurences by closing down and switching off non-essential software. Tweaks and 'overclocking' are about enhancing that gaming experience. Or at least exploring ways and means to.

If in setting bandwidth lower for QoS, I get just one less interruption, I am happy with the advice. Sod the improvements which maay have benefitted MS, if I, amongst many others, left it running.

The frequency of error-reporting is my contribution to MS in making their products more consumer friendly. They get that free. :D