Recently updated my gaming laptop to Windows 10 version 21H2 from version 21H1 and applied several windows updates that were available.

Few days after I started noticing the laptop was very sluggish and that it took a few seconds with the famous rotating wheel to open any application, like Firefox, MS Office, MSFS (plus an unexplained CTD once when loading up to the first screen), etc. Investigating on the issue and looking for help on the net, discovered an application that was causing the issues: it's called "Nahimic Audio Services", that normally runs in the background and supposedly helps in delivering a better audio quality on top of your audio devices. So, I disabled it via the Windows System Configuration App by deselecting it from the running applications and problem solved, my laptop is fast as always have been.

Just to share the experience in case someone is having a similar issue.

 

I must admit that I have suspected that this program causes issues for some time.  At one time, I removed it but it came back again (probably when I installed a new driver).  I must remember to delete it again next time I use my PC.

See here (may need login). :

https://forum.orbxdirect.com/topic/212476-finished-with-fs2020-orbx-for-other-flightsims/?tab=comments#comment-1798191

I'll investigate when I find time.

Kind regards, Michael

At one point this service prevented the sim from starting. I use an external dac anyway so I uninstalled the program that uses it.

In my case Sonic Studio 3

Edited February 17, 20224 yr by Maxis

I have never seen this , sounds like some kind of bloatware that PC maker installs. . 

Edited February 17, 20224 yr by Bobsk8

It seems to get installed with a recent windows update depending on your motherboard sound chip type. Voice attack mentions it as a possible conflicting application and suggests removing or disabling it

This program is known to cause trouble with all kinds of programs, including e.g. VATSpy or Qutescoop. 

I checked and it's not running on my system. Sometimes, an old machine may have an advantage.😉

Kind regards, Michael 

2 hours ago, pmb said:

See here (may need login). :

https://forum.orbxdirect.com/topic/212476-finished-with-fs2020-orbx-for-other-flightsims/?tab=comments#comment-1798191

I'll investigate when I find time.

Kind regards, Michael

Michael, thats a very useful link. Thanks 

1 hour ago, Bobsk8 said:

I have never seen this , sounds like some kind of bloatware that PC maker installs. . 

It usually comes packed with MSI and ASUS MotherBoards and related Apps.

26 minutes ago, edpatino said:

It usually comes packed with MSI and ASUS MotherBoards and related Apps.

Correct. And it's an absolute pain in the word not allowed to get rid of, too.

Fortunately for some reason I didn't have the dreaded companion app, so I just blocked the execution of the Nahimic Services via Windows system configuration. After restart, the whole system felt snappier. Firefox e.g. definetly starts way quicker now.

Edited February 17, 20224 yr by -Belga-

Seems like sound drivers/devices/settings can have a big impact. There was the recent issue in Sim Update beta causing FPS loss that was attributed to the sound settings.
 

I also picked this issue up with another item - I have a pair of Dolby surround sound USB headphones that require a driver to work. Once I installed that, there was an immediate FPS loss in the sim, not much but noticeable. It was the only change I had made to the PC between sim sessions so it was the obvious starting point. Removing the driver proved it was the culprit. This is a RIG 500 USB headphones. I can still use the headphones without the driver, but I don’t get the Dolby surround sound features. The issue affecting FPS in MSFS was there regardless whether the headphones were plugged in or not. The driver was starting with Windows.

Of course, maybe we should be blaming this on Asobo if this problem is not limited to just one ‘software’ supplier….  So, if you have some sort of surround sound system software/hardware on your pc, maybe your MSFS FPS is suffering and you don’t even realise it.

And yes, Nahimic is an unnecessary bloatware app. If Microsoft is installing it with Windows update… that’s plain naughty! Never let Windows Update take control of your driver updates.

 

Edited February 17, 20224 yr by RaptyrOne

1 hour ago, spacedyemeerkat said:

Correct. And it's an absolute pain in the word not allowed to get rid of, too.

Best is to disable it through the System Configuration App in Windows Administrative Tools (and deselect the item from the left menu).

21 minutes ago, edpatino said:

Best is to disable it through the System Configuration App in Windows Administrative Tools (and deselect the item from the left menu).

Indeed. However, it returns, despite clearing out the driver store, too. Lots of research into it on the web. It's utterly insidious and should be considered malware, frankly.

Edited February 17, 20224 yr by spacedyemeerkat