Softdrive VDI Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices

Overview

This article provides recommended tips, tricks, and best practices for getting the best experience from your Softdrive virtual desktop.

Following these recommendations can help improve performance, reduce connection issues, avoid unexpected session interruptions, and ensure that features such as audio, webcams, and other peripherals work as expected.

Applies To

• Softdrive end users
• Softdrive virtual desktops (VDIs)
• Windows-based Softdrive computers
• Softdrive Launcher / Client

Prerequisites

Before connecting to your Softdrive computer, confirm the following:

• Your local computer has a stable internet connection.
• The Softdrive Launcher / Client is installed and up to date.
• Your local computer has the latest recommended Windows, macOS, or Linux updates installed.
• Your headset, webcam, microphone, and other peripherals are connected and working locally before starting your Softdrive session.

Procedures and Best Practices

1. Use a Stable Internet Connection

Softdrive streams your virtual desktop over the internet. Connection quality can directly affect image quality, responsiveness, audio, and video.

• Use a wired Ethernet connection whenever possible.
• If using Wi-Fi, stay close to the wireless access point and use a strong, stable connection.
• Avoid downloading or uploading large files on your local network while using Softdrive when possible.
• Avoid using VPN software on your local computer unless required by your organization.
• If you experience temporary lag or poor image quality, confirm that other devices on your network are not consuming significant bandwidth.

2. Restart Your Softdrive Computer Periodically

Leaving a Windows session running for long periods can gradually increase memory usage and may affect applications or Windows services.

• Restart your Softdrive computer periodically, especially after several days of continuous use.
• Restart after installing major Windows or application updates when prompted.
• If an application begins behaving unexpectedly, try restarting the application first before restarting the entire Softdrive computer.

Use Restart when you want Windows and running services to fully reload.

3. Use Shutdown Only When Appropriate

Restarting and shutting down perform different functions.

• Use Restart when troubleshooting Windows, application, driver, or performance issues.
• Use Shutdown when you are finished using the Softdrive computer for an extended period or when instructed by your administrator or Softdrive Support.

4. Save Your Work Before Restarting or Disconnecting

Always save active documents and application work before restarting or shutting down your Softdrive computer.

• Save documents frequently when working in applications such as Microsoft Office, Autodesk, Adobe, Bentley, or similar productivity applications.
• Allow applications to finish saving or synchronizing files before restarting.
• Do not force-close the Softdrive Launcher while important files are still being saved.

5. Disconnecting Is Different from Signing Out

Closing or disconnecting your Softdrive session does not necessarily close the applications running inside the virtual desktop.

• Disconnect: Your Softdrive session may remain running and applications can remain open.
• Sign out: Your Windows user session closes and running applications are terminated.
• Restart: Windows and all running applications and services are restarted.

If you plan to return shortly, disconnecting may be convenient. If you are experiencing Windows profile or application problems, signing out or restarting may provide a cleaner session.

6. Close Applications You Are Not Using

Your Softdrive computer has allocated CPU, memory, GPU, and storage resources. Keeping unnecessary applications open can consume those resources.

• Close unused browser tabs.
• Exit applications that are no longer needed.
• Avoid leaving multiple resource-intensive applications open unnecessarily.
• If an application becomes unresponsive, close and reopen it before restarting the entire Softdrive computer.

This is particularly important when using memory- or GPU-intensive software such as CAD, BIM, rendering, engineering, or video applications.

7. Keep Enough Free Disk Space

Windows and many applications require free disk space for temporary files, updates, caches, and application data.

• Regularly remove unnecessary files from Downloads and other temporary locations.
• Empty the Recycle Bin when appropriate.
• Avoid storing unnecessary duplicate files locally on the Softdrive computer.
• Contact your administrator if your assigned storage is consistently close to full.

8. Allow Windows and Applications to Finish Loading After Login

Immediately after signing in, Windows may still be loading background services, startup applications, security software, cloud synchronization tools, and your user profile.

• Allow the desktop to finish loading before opening several applications at once.
• If your organization uses OneDrive, Teams, Outlook, or other background applications, allow them time to finish initializing.
• Avoid rapidly launching multiple large applications immediately after logging in.

9. Use Recommended Display Settings

Higher resolutions and multiple monitors require additional bandwidth and processing resources.

• Use the recommended resolution for your local display.
• If you experience poor performance, test with fewer monitors or a lower display resolution.
• Disconnect monitors that are not required for your current workflow.
• Avoid extremely high resolutions over unstable or limited internet connections.

10. Connect Audio and Webcam Devices Before Starting Softdrive

For the best device-redirection experience, connect your peripherals before opening your Softdrive session.

• Connect your webcam before launching Softdrive.
• Connect your headset or microphone before launching Softdrive.
• Confirm that Windows or your local operating system detects the device correctly.
• Test the device locally if you are unsure whether it is functioning.

If you connect or disconnect a device while Softdrive is already running, the application inside the virtual desktop may need to be reopened before the device appears.

11. Close Applications That May Be Using Your Webcam or Microphone Locally

Some local applications can take exclusive or priority access to a webcam or microphone.

Before using a device inside Softdrive, close local applications that may already be using it, such as:

• Microsoft Teams
• Zoom
• Google Meet browser sessions
• Camera applications
• Recording software
• Other conferencing applications

12. Check the Correct Device Inside Teams or Other Applications

If your webcam, microphone, or speakers are available but not working in an application, verify that the correct device is selected inside the application.

For example, in Microsoft Teams:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Devices.
3. Confirm the expected Speaker, Microphone, and Camera are selected.
4. Run a test call when available.

13. Avoid Unnecessary Driver Changes

Softdrive computers may use specialized virtual drivers for streaming, audio, microphones, webcams, graphics, and other functionality.

• Do not manually remove Softdrive drivers.
• Do not install replacement GPU, webcam, microphone, or virtual device drivers unless instructed by your IT administrator or Softdrive Support.
• Do not disable Softdrive-related Windows services as part of general Windows optimization.

14. Avoid Changing Advanced Softdrive Settings Unless Necessary

Advanced streaming options can affect image quality, bandwidth usage, latency, and compatibility.

• Use your organization's recommended settings whenever possible.
• If you are unsure which settings to use, start with the predefined Low, Medium, or High settings.
• Change one setting at a time when troubleshooting so you can identify which change affects the session.

15. Keep Your Local Computer Healthy

Your local computer is responsible for running the Softdrive client and decoding the streamed desktop.

For the best results:

• Install recommended operating system updates.
• Keep graphics and network drivers current using manufacturer-supported drivers.
• Restart the local computer periodically.
• Close unnecessary local applications.
• Make sure the local computer is not running critically low on disk space or memory.

16. Avoid Forcing a Restart Unless Necessary

A standard restart allows Windows and applications to close properly.

A forced restart should normally only be used when:

• The Softdrive computer is completely unresponsive.
• A normal restart does not complete.
• Softdrive Support or your administrator instructs you to perform one.

Whenever possible, save your work before performing any restart.

17. Record Important Details When Reporting a Problem

If you need to contact your IT administrator or Softdrive Support, providing clear information can significantly reduce troubleshooting time.

Include:

• The approximate date and time the problem occurred.
• The name of your Softdrive computer.
• What you were doing immediately before the problem occurred.
• The application you were using.
• Any error message or error code displayed.
• A screenshot of the issue when possible.
• Whether restarting the application, Softdrive computer, or local computer resolved the issue.

Expected Results

Following these best practices should help provide:

• More consistent Softdrive connection quality.
• Improved application responsiveness.
• Fewer audio, microphone, and webcam problems.
• Reduced Windows and application instability.
• More reliable login and session behavior.
• Faster troubleshooting when an issue needs to be escalated.

Troubleshooting

Softdrive feels slow or laggy

• Check your local internet connection.
• Close unnecessary local and Softdrive applications.
• Test with fewer monitors or a lower resolution.
• Restart the Softdrive computer.
• Restart your local computer if the issue continues.

An application is frozen

• Wait briefly to confirm the application is not processing a large task.
• Close and reopen the affected application.
• If Windows remains responsive but the application does not, avoid restarting the entire Softdrive computer unless necessary.
• Restart the Softdrive computer if multiple applications or Windows services appear affected.

Webcam or microphone is not detected

• Confirm the device works on the local computer.
• Close local applications that may be using the device.
• Reconnect the device.
• Restart the Softdrive Launcher / Client.
• Reconnect to the Softdrive computer.
• Confirm the correct device is selected inside Teams, Zoom, or the affected application.

The session will not connect

• Confirm your internet connection is working.
• Close and reopen the Softdrive Launcher / Client.
• Try connecting again.
• If available, restart the Softdrive computer and reconnect.
• If the problem continues, record the time of the failure and contact your IT administrator or Softdrive Support.

The issue continues after restarting

Contact your IT administrator or Softdrive Support and provide the following:

• Softdrive computer name
• User name
• Date and approximate time of the issue
• Error message or error code
• Screenshot, when available
• Application being used
• Whether the issue can be reproduced