DeskScapes and Platform Timer Resolution

Quit sucking down my battery!

from Stardock Forums

I'm aware that DeskScapes pauses when on battery.  However, even when paused, DeskScapes causes a decrease in battery life!  Windows 7 reports the following with DeskScapes installed:

Platform Timer Resolution:Outstanding Timer Request
A program or service has requested a timer resolution smaller than the platform maximum timer resolution.
Requested Period 10000
Requesting Process ID 6688
Requesting Process Path \Device\HarddiskVolume2\Windows\explorer.exe

explorer.exe does not cause this (1ns platform timer resolution) when DeskScapes is not installed.  I understand for media apps like DeskScapes, this is required for performance reasons.  iTunes does this too (increases platform timer resolution) when running.  However, is it possible to get DeskScapes to drop its demand for an increased timer resolution when on battery since the desktop isn't even moving?

According to Microsoft, the real-world implication of one app (like DeskScapes) that keeps the CPU at a higher platform timer resolution is a 10% reduction in battery life.

deskscapes
11,473 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You should probably email support@stardock.com with this question.  :sun:

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Done.  I posted it here to see what other users thought, though.

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Still a problem with Deskscapes, almost five years later.

When running (even when paused, disabled, or after having stopped it's service), it still forces the timer resolution down to 1ms, willfully wasting power.

Clearly efficiency was never Stardock's intent where this software was concerned.  It is poor programming.