Devlog: Ultimate Gaming Optimizer (UGO)

Version 0.1 - Initial Setup

• Features Added:
  • Created the base structure for the application using tkinter for the GUI.
  • Implemented logging to track optimizations and errors.
  • Added core functionality to detect hardware (CPU and GPU) using platform and PowerShell commands.
  • Created the OptimizationManager class to handle hardware detection and store original system states.
  • Added basic tweaks for network, GPU, CPU, and system settings.
  • Implemented a dark theme for the GUI using ttk.Style.
• Challenges:
  • Ensuring PowerShell commands work across different Windows versions.
  • Handling errors gracefully when hardware detection fails.

Version 0.2 - Network Optimizations

• Features Added:
  • Added network tweaks:
    • Disable Large Send Offload (LSO).
    • Disable Interrupt Moderation.
    • Set Speed/Duplex to 1.0 Gbps Full Duplex.
    • Disable Green Ethernet.
    • Disable Windows Auto-Tuning.
    • Restart Network Adapter.
  • Implemented a restore function to revert network settings to their original state.
  • Added a status bar to display real-time feedback during optimizations.
• Challenges:
  • Ensuring network tweaks are applied correctly without breaking connectivity.
  • Handling cases where the network adapter name is different.

Version 0.3 - GPU and CPU Optimizations

Features Added:

• • Added GPU tweaks:
    • Disable AMD Services.
    • Disable NVIDIA Services.
  • Added CPU tweaks:
    • Set High-Performance Power Plan.
    • Disable Core Parking.
  • Implemented a timer resolution tweak for better system responsiveness.
  • Added a "Restore Defaults" button to revert all changes.
• Challenges:
  • Detecting AMD and NVIDIA GPUs reliably.
  • Ensuring power plan changes are applied correctly.

Version 0.4 - Advanced Tweaks and GUI Improvements

• Features Added:
  • Added advanced tweaks:
    • Disable HPET (High Precision Event Timer).
    • Disable Superfetch/SysMain service.
    • Disable Game Bar & DVR.
    • Optimize Visual Effects.
    • Disable Notifications.
  • Added storage tweaks:
    • Disable NTFS Last Access Time.
    • Enable Write Caching.
  • Enhanced the GUI:
    • Added a "Storage" category for disk-related optimizations.
    • Improved the layout and organization of tweaks.
    • Added tooltips for better user guidance (future update).
• Challenges:
  • Ensuring registry edits are safe and reversible.
  • Testing tweaks on different hardware configurations.

Version 0.5 - Preset Modes and Stability Improvements

• Features Added:
  • Added preset modes:
    • Balanced Mode: Safe optimizations for everyday use.
    • Performance Mode: Gaming-focused optimizations.
    • Extreme Mode: All optimizations enabled for maximum performance.
  • Improved error handling and logging for better debugging.
  • Enhanced the restore functionality to cover all new tweaks.
  • Added DNS configuration options (Cloudflare/Google DNS).
• Challenges:
  • Balancing performance gains with system stability.
  • Ensuring preset modes are intuitive and effective.

Version 0.6 - Final Polish and Testing

• Features Added:
  • Added real-time status updates during optimization.
  • Improved the restore function to handle edge cases (e.g., missing registry keys).
  • Added more detailed logging for each tweak applied.
  • Tested the application on multiple systems (Intel/NVIDIA, AMD/AMD, etc.).
  • Added a dynamic icon for the application.
  • Removed DNS configuration options (Cloudflare/Google DNS)
• Challenges:
  • Ensuring compatibility with a wide range of hardware and Windows versions.
  • Finalizing the restore function to cover all possible scenarios.

Future Plans

• Game-Specific Profiles:
  • Pre-configured tweaks for popular games (e.g., Valorant, Cyberpunk 2077).
• Real-Time Monitoring:
  • Add a system tray widget to show FPS, latency, or CPU/GPU usage.
• Driver Updates:
  • Integrate a driver updater for GPU and network drivers.
• User Profiles:
  • Allow users to save and load custom optimization profiles.
• Cross-Platform Support:
  • Explore Linux and macOS compatibility for future versions.

Lessons Learned

1. PowerShell is Powerful:
   • Using PowerShell for system tweaks is efficient but requires careful error handling.
2. User Feedback is Crucial:
   • Real-time status updates and logging help users understand what’s happening.
3. Testing is Key:
   • Testing on different hardware configurations revealed edge cases that needed addressing.
4. Restore Functionality is Essential:
   • Users need the ability to revert changes easily, especially when tweaks cause issues.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Gaming Optimizer (UGO) has evolved from a simple script to a robust application with a wide range of optimizations. The focus on stability, user feedback, and ease of use has made it a valuable tool for gamers and power users. Future updates will focus on expanding functionality and improving the user experience.

The Roadmap:

Phase 1: Light Fixes and Stability Improvements

Goal: Address immediate issues, improve stability, and refine the user experience.

Tasks:

1. Bug Fixes:
   • Fix edge cases in hardware detection (e.g., unknown GPUs or CPUs).
   • Handle missing registry keys or PowerShell command failures gracefully.
   • Ensure all tweaks are reversible via the "Restore Defaults" button.
2. Error Handling:
   • Add more detailed error messages for users when tweaks fail.
   • Improve logging to capture more context for debugging.
3. GUI Improvements:
   • Add tooltips to explain what each tweak does.
   • Improve the layout for better readability (e.g., collapsible sections for tweaks).
   • Add a progress bar for long-running optimizations.
4. Testing:
   • Test on more hardware configurations (Intel/NVIDIA, AMD/AMD, etc.).
   • Test on different Windows versions (Windows 10, Windows 11).
5. Documentation:
   • Add a "Help" section in the app with explanations for each tweak.
   • Create a user guide for first-time users.

Phase 2: Code Rebuild and Optimization

Goal: Refactor the codebase to improve maintainability, performance, and readiness for the Microsoft Store.

Tasks:

1. Code Refactoring:
   • Break down large functions into smaller, reusable components.
   • Move PowerShell commands into a separate utility class for better organization.
   • Use constants for registry keys, PowerShell commands, and other hardcoded values.
2. Performance Optimization:
   • Optimize PowerShell command execution to reduce delays.
   • Use asynchronous tasks for long-running operations to keep the GUI responsive.
3. Modular Design:
   • Separate the GUI logic from the core optimization logic.
   • Create a plugin system for adding new tweaks without modifying the core code.
4. Security Improvements:
   • Validate all user inputs to prevent injection attacks.
   • Ensure the app runs with the minimum required permissions.
5. Localization:
   • Add support for multiple languages (e.g., English, Spanish, French).
   • Use a localization library to manage translations.

Phase 3: Microsoft Store Preparation

Goal: Prepare the app for submission to the Microsoft Store, ensuring it meets all requirements.

Tasks:

1. Packaging:
   • Package the app using MSIX for Microsoft Store submission.
   • Ensure all dependencies (e.g., PowerShell) are included or declared.
2. Compliance:
   • Follow Microsoft Store guidelines for app behavior and design.
   • Remove any deprecated APIs or unsupported features.
3. Sandboxing:
   • Ensure the app runs in a sandboxed environment (required for Microsoft Store apps).
   • Adjust tweaks that require elevated permissions (e.g., use Windows APIs instead of direct registry edits).
4. Testing:
   • Test the app in a sandboxed environment to ensure compatibility.
   • Use the Windows App Certification Kit (WACK) to identify and fix issues.
5. Metadata:
   • Create app icons, screenshots, and descriptions for the Microsoft Store listing.
   • Write a compelling app description and tagline.

Phase 4: CERT Signing and Advanced Security

Goal: Obtain a code-signing certificate to ensure the app is trusted by users and operating systems.

Tasks:

1. Code Signing:
   • Purchase a code-signing certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
   • Sign the app executable and installer using the certificate.
2. Security Audits:
   • Perform a security audit to identify vulnerabilities (e.g., insecure registry edits, PowerShell command injection).
   • Fix any identified issues.
3. Reputation Building:
   • Publish the app on the Microsoft Store to build trust.
   • Encourage users to leave reviews and ratings.
4. Auto-Updates:
   • Implement an auto-update mechanism to deliver patches and new features.
   • Use Microsoft Store's built-in update system if applicable.

Phase 5: Long-Term Features and Expansion

Goal: Add advanced features and expand the app's capabilities.

Tasks:

1. Game-Specific Profiles:
   • Add pre-configured tweaks for popular games (e.g., Valorant, Cyberpunk 2077).
   • Allow users to create and share custom profiles.
2. Real-Time Monitoring:
   • Add a system tray widget to show FPS, latency, or CPU/GPU usage.
   • Use libraries like psutil or GPUtil for monitoring.
3. Driver Updates:
   • Integrate a driver updater for GPU and network drivers.
   • Use APIs from NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel to fetch the latest drivers.
4. Cross-Platform Support:
   • Explore Linux and macOS compatibility for future versions.
   • Use platform-agnostic libraries for core functionality.
5. Community Features:
   • Add a "Community Tweaks" section where users can share and download custom tweaks.
   • Build a forum or Discord community for user support and feedback.

Timeline

Key Milestones

1. Stable Release (v1.0):
   • All tweaks working reliably.
   • Comprehensive restore functionality.
   • Ready for public beta testing.
2. Microsoft Store Launch:
   • App published on the Microsoft Store.
   • Positive user reviews and ratings.
3. CERT Signed Release:
   • Code-signed executable.
   • Improved user trust and adoption.
4. Advanced Features:
   • Game-specific profiles.
   • Real-time monitoring.
   • Driver updates.