Getting started1 of 4
Welcome
What this guide covers and where to get help.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
This guide helps you get your PC ready before you use a product from Zephyr Services. It covers Windows settings, common downloads, performance tweaks and fixes for the problems we see most often.
How to use this guide
- Start with Essential downloads so your system has the runtimes most software needs.
- Work through the Windows setup articles your product asks for. You rarely need all of them.
- If something goes wrong, check Fixes & performance.
Still stuck?
If you have followed the steps and the problem is still there, contact us on DISCORD. Tell us which product you use, what you tried, and include a screenshot of any error message. That lets us help you much faster.
Getting started2 of 4
Essential downloads
Runtimes and tools most software needs, from their official sites.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Install these before anything else. Missing runtimes are the most common reason software won't start.
Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
Install both the x64 and x86 versions.
DirectX
The End-User Runtime adds older DirectX files that some games and tools still use. The June 2010 SDK package covers the rest.
Downloads often come as .zip or .rar archives. WinRAR or the free 7-Zip opens both.
Optional
| Tool | What it's for |
|---|
| DS4Windows | Using a PlayStation controller on PC |
| Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 | A free, fast DNS and VPN app |
Getting started3 of 4
Play it safe
How you play matters as much as what you run.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Anti-cheat systems don't only scan your PC. They also look at player reports, gameplay patterns and behaviour that doesn't add up. Most bans happen because a player stands out, not because a tool was detected.
Habits that get noticed
- Snapping straight onto targets
- Following players through walls
- Knowing things you couldn't know
- Using every feature at full strength
- Getting reported match after match
Use features to help, not to play for you
| Feature | Use it for |
|---|
| Aim assist | A light correction, never a lock-on |
| ESP | Information, not tracking players through walls |
| Radar | Positioning and awareness |
Settings that keep you under the radar
- Low FOV and smooth movement. Good aim looks human; perfect aim doesn't.
- Fewer features. Turn on only what you actually need.
- No pre-firing or instant reactions. Miss sometimes, lose some fights, react at a human speed.
Keep reports down
Every report adds to your risk. Don't dominate every match, avoid plays that are obviously impossible, and play casually now and then.
Stay consistent
The players who last longest stay disciplined: they don't creep their settings up over time and they don't get greedy.
Getting started4 of 4
Protect your account
Switching games safely and the habits that avoid bans.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Switching to another game
Some tools load a driver that stays in memory after you close the game it was made for. Another game's anti-cheat can find it, which can mean an instant ban in that game.
Before you start a different protected game:
- Turn off Fast Startup: Control Panel › Power Options › Choose what the power buttons do › untick Turn on fast startup.
- Shut the PC down completely and unplug it for a few seconds.
- Start it again, then restart once more from the Start menu.
Avoid reports
- Don't snap or pre-fire while someone may be spectating.
- Keep settings legit and movement natural.
- Play at the level your account suggests. Forty kills on a brand-new account gets reported fast.
- Older, levelled accounts draw less attention than fresh ones.
Know the risk
There is always some risk. Don't use tools on an account you can't afford to lose. Game developers update their detection all the time, so stay careful and play responsibly.
Windows setup1 of 11
Windows Security & Firewall
Turn off Defender's protection, the firewall and SmartScreen.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Windows Security can block or quarantine files it doesn't recognise. Turn its protection off before you install, and turn it back on when you no longer need it off.
Virus & threat protection
- Open Windows Security › Virus & threat protection › Manage settings.
- Turn off Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, Automatic sample submission and Tamper Protection.
Firewall
- Open Firewall & network protection.
- Select Domain, Private and Public network in turn and switch each one off.
App & browser control
- Open App & browser control › Reputation-based protection settings.
- Turn off Check apps and files, SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps and Potentially unwanted app blocking.
If Defender keeps turning itself back on
Defender Control from Sordum can switch it off and keep it off. The archive's password is sordum.
Windows setup2 of 11
Vulnerable Driver Blocklist
Stop Windows blocking drivers that some software needs.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
The Vulnerable Driver Blocklist stops drivers with known security problems from loading. It protects your PC, but it can also stop software that depends on one of those drivers, often with a driver error at start-up.
Turn it off
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run:
CMD
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CI\Config" /v VulnerableDriverBlocklistEnable /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
- Restart your PC so the change takes effect.
Windows setup3 of 11
Virtualization-based security
Check for VBS and switch it off in Windows or the BIOS.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Check whether VBS is running
Press Win + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. Find Virtualization-based security near the bottom of the list. Running means it is on.
Turn off Core isolation
- Open Windows Security › Device security › Core isolation details.
- Turn Memory integrity off.
- Restart your PC so the change takes effect.
Turn off VBS with a command
If VBS still shows as running, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
CMD
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard" /v EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
Then restart and check msinfo32 again.
Last resort: the BIOS
- Restart and open the BIOS (usually Del, F2, F10 or Esc while the PC starts).
- Look under Advanced, Security or CPU Configuration.
- Disable Intel VT-d / AMD IOMMU and any Hyper-V or Virtualization Support option your product says to turn off.
- Save and exit (usually F10).
Windows setup4 of 11
Credential Guard
Turn off Credential Guard and Application Guard.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Credential Guard keeps your sign-in secrets in an isolated part of Windows. Software that needs low-level access to the system may not work while it is on.
Turn off Credential Guard
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run:
CMD
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" /v LsaCfgFlags /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
- Restart your PC so the change takes effect.
Turn off Microsoft Defender Application Guard
Application Guard runs apps and browser sessions in a small virtual machine, which can get in the way of software that needs direct access.
- Press Win + R, type
optionalfeatures.exe and press Enter. - Untick Microsoft Defender Application Guard (if it's listed) and click OK.
- Restart your PC so the change takes effect.
Windows setup5 of 11
Hyper-V & Windows Sandbox
Remove Hyper-V and the features that run on it.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Hyper-V is Windows' built-in virtual machine platform. Several security features run on top of it, and they can stop software that needs direct hardware access.
Turn off the Windows features
- Press Win + R, type
optionalfeatures.exe and press Enter. - Untick:
- Hyper-V
- Windows Sandbox
- Virtual Machine Platform
- Windows Hypervisor Platform
- Click OK and let Windows apply the changes.
Stop the hypervisor from starting
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
CMD
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
Then restart your PC.
Windows setup6 of 11
Memory integrity
Turn off Core isolation's memory integrity.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Memory integrity (part of Core isolation) stops untrusted drivers from loading. Software that relies on such a driver may fail to start or show a driver error.
In Windows Security (easiest)
- Open Windows Security › Device security.
- Click Core isolation details.
- Turn Memory integrity off.
- Restart your PC so the change takes effect.
With a command (if the switch is greyed out)
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
CMD
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity" /v Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Then restart your PC.
Windows setup7 of 11
Turn on virtualization
Check CPU virtualization and enable it in the BIOS.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Some products need your CPU's hardware virtualization switched on.
Check whether it's on
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Open Performance › CPU.
- Look for Virtualization: Enabled under the graph.
If it already says Enabled, you're done.
Turn it on in the BIOS
- Restart and open the BIOS (usually Del, F2, F10 or Esc while the PC starts).
- Find the setting:
| CPU | Setting name |
|---|
| Intel | Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) |
| AMD | SVM Mode / AMD-V |
- Set it to Enabled.
- Save and exit (usually F10).
Windows setup8 of 11
TPM & Secure Boot
Check TPM and Secure Boot, and turn them off only if needed.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Check what's on now
- TPM: press Win + R, type
tpm.msc and press Enter. The TPM is ready for use means it's on. - Secure Boot: press Win + R, type
msinfo32 and press Enter. Look for Secure Boot State: On or Off.
Turn them off (only if required)
- Restart and open the BIOS (usually Del, F2, F10 or Esc).
- TPM: under Security, Advanced or Trusted Computing, set TPM, Intel PTT or AMD fTPM to Disabled.
- Secure Boot: under Boot or Security, set Secure Boot to Disabled. If it's greyed out, enable CSM / Legacy boot first, or clear the Secure Boot keys under Key Management.
- Save and exit (usually F10).
Check again in Windows afterwards to make sure the change took.
Can't find what you need?Ask us on Discord
Windows setup9 of 11
Antivirus software
Remove third-party antivirus and switch off Defender.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Antivirus programs can delete files or stop processes they don't recognise. Turn off or remove any antivirus while you use the software.
Common antivirus programs
| Antivirus | Comes with |
|---|
| Microsoft Defender | Windows |
| McAfee | Often pre-installed on new PCs |
| Norton, Avast / AVG, Bitdefender | Installed separately |
| Kaspersky, ESET, Sophos, Trend Micro | Installed separately |
Remove a third-party antivirus
- Press Win + R, type
appwiz.cpl and press Enter. - Select your antivirus and click Uninstall.
- Restart your PC so the change takes effect.
If the uninstall fails, use the removal tool from the antivirus maker's website.
Switch off Microsoft Defender
Follow Windows Security & Firewall in this guide. If Defender keeps coming back, use Defender Control.
Check it worked
After restarting, Windows Security should show Defender as off, and Task Manager shouldn't list any antivirus processes.
Windows setup10 of 11
Anti-cheat software
Remove leftover anti-cheat services that cause conflicts.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Anti-cheat services from other games can keep running in the background and conflict with the software.
Common anti-cheat software
| Anti-cheat | Used by |
|---|
| Riot Vanguard | VALORANT, League of Legends |
| Easy Anti-Cheat | Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rust and more |
| BattlEye | Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG, DayZ and more |
| FACEIT | Counter-Strike on FACEIT |
Riot Vanguard and FACEIT
- Press Win + R, type
appwiz.cpl and press Enter. - Uninstall Riot Vanguard or FACEIT Anti-Cheat.
- Restart your PC so the change takes effect.
Easy Anti-Cheat
- Open the install folder of a game that uses it and find the EasyAntiCheat folder.
- Run
EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe, pick the game and click Uninstall.
BattlEye
- Open the install folder of a game that uses it.
- Run
Uninstall_BattlEye.bat (or the .exe), then restart.
Check it worked
After restarting, Task Manager shouldn't show Vanguard, FACEIT, BattlEye or Easy Anti-Cheat processes.
Windows setup11 of 11
BitLocker
Turn off drive encryption and wait for it to finish.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
In Settings (Device encryption)
- Open Settings › Privacy & security › Device encryption.
- Turn it off and wait until decryption finishes.
In Control Panel (BitLocker)
- Search the Start menu for Manage BitLocker and open it.
- Click Turn off BitLocker next to your drive and confirm.
With a command
Open Command Prompt as administrator:
CMD
manage-bde -status
manage-bde -off C:
Run manage-bde -status C: again until it shows Fully Decrypted.
With PowerShell
POWERSHELL
Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:"
Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint "C:"
Fixes & performance1 of 5
Reset the TPM
Clear the TPM to fix Secure Boot and TPM errors.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Clearing the TPM resets it to factory state, which can fix errors with Secure Boot, BitLocker or software that uses the TPM.
From Windows
- Press Win + R, type
tpm.msc and press Enter. - Under Actions, click Clear TPM….
- Click Restart and confirm when the PC asks during start-up.
From the BIOS
- Restart and open the BIOS (usually Del, F2, F10 or Esc).
- Under Security or Trusted Computing (sometimes Intel PTT / AMD fTPM), choose Clear TPM or Reset TPM.
- Confirm, then save and exit (usually F10).
The TPM sets itself up again afterwards. On some PCs you need to switch it back on in the BIOS.
Fixes & performance2 of 5
Game crashes
Overlays, runtimes and repair steps that stop most crashes.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Work down this list. Most crashes are fixed by the first few steps.
Turn off overlays
- Discord: Settings › Game Overlay › off.
- NVIDIA: NVIDIA app / GeForce Experience › Settings › In-game overlay › off.
- AMD: press Alt + R › Settings › Preferences › In-Game Overlay › off.
Turn off latency features
- AMD Anti-Lag: Alt + R › Gaming › Graphics › Radeon Anti-Lag off.
- In the game: turn off NVIDIA Reflex and on-demand texture streaming if crashes continue.
Reinstall the runtimes
- Reinstall Visual C++ (x64 and x86) and DirectX from Essential downloads.
- Restart your PC.
Repair the game
- Steam: right-click the game › Properties › Installed files › Verify integrity.
- Battle.net: click the cog next to Play › Scan and Repair.
- Epic: Library › the three dots › Manage › Verify.
Reset Call of Duty settings
- Close the game.
- Press Win + R, type
%localappdata% and press Enter. - Open Activision and delete the players folder. The game makes a new one with default settings.
Still crashing?
- Update your graphics driver.
- Run the game as administrator.
- Close overclocking tools such as MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner.
Fixes & performance3 of 5
Game Mode & Game Bar
Switch off Windows features that cause stutter.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Game Mode
Open Settings › Gaming › Game Mode and switch it off if you get stutter or crashes.
Background recording
- Open Settings › Gaming › Captures.
- Turn off Record what happened.
Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling
- Open Settings › System › Display › Graphics › Change default graphics settings.
- Turn off Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling if you see stutter.
- Restart your PC so the change takes effect.
Fixes & performance4 of 5
A few settings for lower input lag and steadier FPS.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Turning off Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (Settings › System › Display › Graphics) can lower input lag on some PCs. Restart after changing it.
| Windows | Recommended |
|---|
| Windows 10 | Off: it can cause FPS drops |
| Windows 11 | On: it works well there |
- Start the game.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and open Details.
- Right-click the game's process › Set priority › High.
Can't find what you need?Ask us on Discord
Fixes & performance5 of 5
In-game settings
Display and graphics settings for smooth, stable play.
1 min read·Updated October 19, 2026
Display
- Window mode: Borderless fullscreen
- Aspect ratio: 16:9
- Frame generation (DLSS / FSR): Off
Graphics
- V-Sync: Off
- HDR: Off
- Motion blur: Off
- Preset: Low or minimum for the steadiest frame rate
Frame rate cap
| Monitor | Cap at |
|---|
| 144 Hz | 144–160 FPS |
| 240 Hz | 240–250 FPS |
