PC Performance Tips for Monster Hunter Wilds

Use these Tips to Improve Your PC's Performance for Monster Hunter Wilds

Foreword

I live on the poverty line.

What a strange (!) way to start this guide, isn't it?

What I am trying to convey to you is that I cannot afford a high-end PC, or even a mid-range PC.

I never could.

So I have been always forced to tweak my PC settings to make games run smoother for almost 30 years now.

What I am about to share with you is less for those of you who can afford a great PC and have little to no problems to begin with. It is more for those of you who want to enjoy the game more but cannot afford a new PC (parts) - like me.

The lower your PC specifications, the more these tips will help you. But maybe one or two of these tips will even be good for those of you who have a mid-range PC.

I wish You all the best from the bottom of my heart and hope you can get a good tip out of it.

That being said: Let us get started!

Happy Hunting!

Performance Tip 1: Reinstall GPU Drivers

Before we get into the in-game tweaks, let us get on the same page with your PC settings.

Start with reinstalling your GPU drivers, cleanly, if you have not done it recently already.

By cleanly I mean:
use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) before reinstalling your graphics card drivers.

Hang on a minute! My GPU drivers are up to date!

While that may be true, it is also true that over time, after countless updates, there may be conflicting leftover files that have not been properly removed. As they accumulate over time, no one can tell which of your driver files is doing what and why, eventually causing issues without you even knowing. To be on the safe side, we want to perform a clean installation of your graphics cards' drivers to rule out the presence of corrupt files. To do this, we use a special tool that does the job more thoroughly than the standard uninstallers that come with your video drivers. That would be Display Driver Uninstaller, also known as DDU.

The best way to do this is to download the latest driver software for your graphics card first so that you can install it immediately after using DDU.

1. Download your latest graphics cards drivers from official resources

For the latest Nvidia drivers: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
For the latest AMD drivers: http://support.amd.com/en-us/download

2. Download DDU

Display Driver Uninstaller
http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html

Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is freeware. Only download it from this trusted source.

3. Unpack DDU



I recommend to unpack it onto your Desktop - makes it easy to find

4. Run DDU



Select your GPU manufacturer from the drop-down menu.
If you are happy with the options (the default is fine), click the Clean and restart button.



Ignore the advertisement

5. Install Your graphics card latest driver which you have downloaded before

6. Restart Your PC

When you are finished, you can safely delete the folder containing the DDU from your PC.

7. Delete Monster Hunter Wilds' Shader Cache

You can find the Shader Cache by Right-clicking on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Manage -> Browse local files



Find the file shader.cache* and delete it - that will force Monster Hunter Wilds to recompile the shaders, giving you the best possible result after the clean reinstall of your graphics card drivers.

Trivia: High Res Textures Requirements

A lot of players complained that they have troubles using the High Resolution Texture Pack.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3308900/Monster_Hunter_Wilds__High_Resolution_Texture_Pack/

The problem with that is: nearly all of the players who complain about it do not meet the requirements to begin with. While the system requirements are 8 GB video RAM for the game, the usage of the High Resolution Texture Pack explicitely says 16 GB video RAM are necessary.



You will not notice any good changes with the pack without running the game in 4k.
I therefore recommend not to install / to remove the DLC from your collection if you accidently got it.



Again: this guide is not meant for the people who can afford such a high end graphics card which comes with 16 GB VRAM. I am already happy that I can afford 8 GB VRAM.

Performance Tip 2: Virtual Memory

Go to Settings and there select the System category, then go to Advanced system settings

Open Run (WIN+R) and enter "sysdm.cpl"



or

Right-click on the Windows logo on your taskbar, there select Settings
(there are many ways to access Windows Settings)





In the subsection Performance Options we go for the Advanced tab and select change for the Virtual Memory



I recommend a size of at least 32 GB, better 64 ~ 128 GB



1 GB = 1024 MB
32 GB = 32768 MB
64 GB = 65536 MB
128 GB = 131072 MB

We keep the initial size and maximum size identical to improve the system's stability, by preventing unnecessary trimming actions and other issues which might occur if the space is not properly reserved.

Important: Keep enough Free Space

Windows and Windows applications rely on virtual memory and free space to create cache files. It is therefore important that you always have around 100 GB + virtual memory as free space on your operating system drive (C:). So if you are using e.g. 64 GB of virtual memory, make sure that your OS drive has about 164 GB of free space.

Performance Tip 3: Windows Effects

Configure Windows' visual effects for optimal performance, diminishing extraneous animation effects to enhance system performance. The impact of this adjustment is notably more pronounced on low-performance PCs compared to high-performance systems.



Same access like Performance Tip 2: Virtual Memory: enter "sysdm.cpl" in Run (WIN+R)
You might be surprised what difference it could make on most PCs

Note: I usually keep for myself on the "Show thumbnails instead of icons" and "Smooth edges of screen fonts" options. But other than that these are the settings I am always using to ensure best performance in every situation, unhindered by Windows' fancy animatons effects.

Performance Tip 4: Shader Cache

This option can be found in Nvidia's control panel





Set to 100 GB (in this image it shows the Nvidia Control Panel for Nvidia graphics cards)

While you are at it, I also recommend to set the option Prefer maximum performance as well.



For AMD graphics cards you need to open regedit (WIN+R, then enter "regedit") go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e968-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}\0000\UMD

or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e968-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}\0001\UMD

change there "ShaderCache" from "30 00" or "31 00" to "32 00"
(30 00 = off / 31 00 = AMD Optimized / 32 00 = Always On)

Performance Tip 5: Increase CPU Priority

Either use the task manager to increase the game's priority, or use this registry entry to permanently run Monster Hunter Wilds in higher priority than other applications in Windows.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bC7RJ3Ftt5lQ7nE4KNjJMSy_Dwllqigb/view?usp=sharing
Google Drive automatically checks for viruses, so you can be certain the download is safe.

Content of the file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options/MonsterHunterWilds.exe/PerfOptions]

"CpuPriorityClass"=dword:00000003
"IoPriority"=dword:00000003

To summon the Task Manager press CTRL+ALT+DEL and select Task Manager - this can be done while the game is running.

While the game is running, go to the Details tab and select MonsterHunterWilds.exe to set its priority to High.



You have to do this every time when running the game. Using the One-click-file above which adds the registry entry comfortably is surely more convenient.

Also worth using is Park Control by bitsum
https://bitsum.com/parkcontrol/
By turning off the CPU cores parking and frequencing you kinda force your CPU into maximum performance. The free version is fully sufficent for Monster Hunter Wilds to manually turn the functionality on/off.



Turn Parking and Freq Scaling all off and hit Apply.

AMD Specific CPU Issue

Deactivating the affinity for core 0 with AMD CPUs can result in higher performance.



This has to do with the way Windows scheduling works with the AMD CPU architecture. However, this only applies to older AMD CPUs and PCs not running the latest version of Windows. It might be worth a try to see if you get an FPS boost from the tweak. Easily reversible and safe to try.

Performance Tip 6: Maximum Power

Make sure that your PC and graphics card are running at maximum performance when playing Monster Hunter Wilds - especially on laptops, it is important to turn off any power saving modes and features, assuming you are playing the game with your laptop connected to a permanent power source in the first place.





Add Monster Hunter Wilds to the list of applications you want full control over and make sure the best available GPU is always selected. Never "Let Windows decide"

Turning off optimisation for windowed games may sound counterintuitive, but we do this because it usually only benefits games from the Microsoft Store app, and can cause problems in other cases, especially with console ports like Monster Hunter Wilds.

Performance Tip 7: Memory Leak

Use ISLC to Cure Memory Leak Issues

Download the tool for free and launch it without installation after extraction
https://www.wagnardsoft.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1256



Set the value for Free Memory is lower than to half of your memory size, minimum 16 GB.
In this example it is set to 32 GB as the actual memory is 64 GB.

16 GB = 16384 MB
32 GB = 32768 MB

Select

Start ISLC minimzed and auto-Start monitoring.

Launch ISLC on user Logon.

for convenience

Hit Start to let it do it works and it will automatically effectively negate the effects of what you know as "memory leak". Keep the window open while you play/minimise only.

Memory & NVMe

What if I do not have 32 GB RAM?

In the tip before I described how to counter memory and that you should set the tool to half your memory size and 16 GB minimum. It implies that it is expected for you to have 32 GB RAM by default.

But what if you do not have that much RAM to begin with?

Here is the Bad News

If the RAM you have is lower than 24 GB, then Your PC will not be able to provide you with an enjoyable Monster Hunter Wilds experience.

I made that experience myself with Monster Hunter: World.

I am not talking about bad frames here.

As an European I can deal with 25 FPS, PAL standard (for the young ones among you: that is before the internet when people used to use devices in their living rooms called TVs, there used to be an NTSC (USA) and a PAL (Europe) format standard for how the image is being displayed - and yes, we got 25 FPS while the USA got 30 FPS).

I am not talking about bad graphics either.

I loved playing on Nintendo Gameboy, SEGA Game Gear Playstation Vita, and Nintendo Switch. I can easily deal with subpar graphics too.

I am talking about unbearable stutters.

Despite the game looked as good as on Playstation with acceptable frames, it still stuttered. It was not my GPU card which acted as bottleneck, but my memory (RAM). I started playing with 16 GB, back then believing that no game ever needs more than that and I would never need more unless I would do video editing. How mistaken I was!

As soon as I got a cheap RAM upgrade, I could only afford 8 GB more, and changed it from 16 GB to 24 GB - it started to work as good as on Playstation.

There is no magic tweak / trick to make it work* with less RAM.

* working good

RAM & NVMe are Very Important!

While most people underline how having a good CPU and good GPU matters, RAM and a fast storage device are often neglected. Should you experience stutters despite having good CPU and GPU, start with checking your RAM first, then make sure that your storage device is fast enough to keep up the load of the caches.

Most NVMe SDDs are fine, Samsung 990 Pro series is a good tip (2025) for being on the affordable end for 1 TB to have enough space for your Windows and a game you are playing.

Performance Tip 8: Core & VMP

If you are not using virtual machines on your PC, you should disable the built-in Windows support for the hypervisor (Hyper-V) and virtual machines in general to improve performance.

Go to Settings -> System -> Optional Windows Features and there turn off Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Hypervisor Platform (Hyper-V)





Disabling Windows Core Isolation Memory Integrity, along with disabling virtual machine support, can give you up to 5-10% more FPS. However, while turning off support for the virtual machine platform is no big deal, turning off memory integrity is a long-term risk if you install drivers from uncertified providers. But as long as you use only automated Windows updates, or using the manufacturers softwares for auto-updates you will be fine.





To stay on the safe side I recommend to disable it only for your gaming sessions and re-enable it afterwards.

Trivia

The effect is because of the implemented Denuvo Anti-tamper. Denuvo is constantly checking core related stuff - having the security turned off allows Denuvo to work faster. I am not happy about that either. I hate Denuvo.

Performance Tip 9: Cap FPS

You might wonder: why should I cap the FPS if I have little FPS to begin with?

Think of it as preventing fluctuations.
Some games have a tendency to spike the FPS during loading screens, for example, when there is nothing to render. While this may be harmless on high-end graphics cards, it can be compared to high blood pressure. This kind of fluctuation has a negative effect on stability, so we want to limit your FPS.



Setting the cap to 60 is fully sufficient.
If your PC can actually handle more, go for more to match your monitor's display frequency as maximum value (144 FPS if it runs on 144 Hz e.g.).

It is important to set the cap globally, e.g. via the Nvidia Control Panel, as the game internal cap can glitch out.

Performance Tip 10: Borderless Gaming

Remember the counter-intuitive tip regarding disabling windowed games optimisation? Here is another one which sounds counter-intuitive but works surprisingly well.

Run the game in windowed mode and use Borderless Gaming

The app is available as freeware

https://github.com/codeusa/borderless-gaming/releases







After setting up the app for the first time with Monster Hunter Wilds, make sure to restart the game so it can be adjusted properly. Otherwise it looks like some parts are cut off - but that is only an adjustment issue and vanishes after a game restart, or changing the resolution of the game temporarily.

A Steam version is available if you like to support the author

https://store.steampowered.com/app/388080/Borderless_Gaming/

It sounds counter-intuitive as the game already supports borderless windowed mode and running another app on top of the game you are playing usually decreases performance. But it has been proven as reliable improving games performances.

That is because the borderless windowed mode many games try to simulate fullscreen mode, making them less stable the way their windows is forced to enlarge to be borderless.

Keeping the game in normal windowed mode and using Borderless Gaming not only has the same display effect, but also improves stability, which can lead to better FPS in general.

Performance Tip 11: Registry Cleanup

Most PC users can benefit greatly from cleaning up their registry and properly managing their startup and background applications. The results may surprise you!

I recommend the free version of CCleaner for the task.



A convenient free version of CCleaner (portable) that does not require installation can be found here: https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/builds

Performance Tip 12: Autoruns

It is essential to ensure that only the apps you genuinely require are set to autorun. Otherwise, you might find yourself burdened with numerous background applications, some of which you may not even be aware of, each exerting an influence on your PC's overall performance.





You can use an app like CCleaner, Revo Uninstaller or Autoruns to check the apps which are starting automatically - or you can also use the Windows Task Manager to access them and disable e.g. cloud apps which are rarely used.

Performance Tip 13: Disable Edge

Attempting to completely remove Microsoft Edge seems futile, as its functionalities are deeply integrated within the core of the operating system. Nevertheless, if you opt for a different browser instead of Microsoft Edge, it is advisable to disable its Startup Boost functionality. This will help free up system resources that would otherwise be allocated to the application without being utilized.

Veteran Hunter's Tip: Remove Microsoft OneDrive

If you have not already removed Microsoft OneDrive and are not using it, you should remove it completely. Use Revo Uninstaller to cleanly remove such unwanted bloatware.

A convenient free version of Revo Uninstaller that does not require installation can be found here: https://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/revo_uninstaller_portable

Can you imagine? I keep forgetting about OneDrive, because it is one of the first things I have removed after a fresh Windows installation. And it is one of those softwares too which keep causing issues for gamers.



I used Revo Uninstaller to remove all unnecessary Windows apps, that this little is what remained on my PC



It is running great and obviously I am not missing anything.

Disable Microsoft Edge from Reinstalling

Microsoft really, really wants you to try out and keep Microsoft Edge - so much so that it is hard embedded into the system and comes back again and again with Windows updates even if you have deinstalled it. That is why I gave up on it and just make sure it is properly disabled.

You still can "somewhat" remove it, using Revo Uninstaller. To make sure it does not come back I advise you to set up a registry entry which tells Windows not to reinstall it again.

Right-click on the Windows symbol in your taskbar and select Run (or open it with WIN+R)



Enter regedit to open the Registry Editor



Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\



Create a new key there (via right-click-context-menu)



Name it "EdgeUpdate"





Create a DWORD (32-bit) Value



Name that Value "DoNotUpdateToEdgeWithChromium"



Double-click on that new value and set it to "1"



Confirm with OK

Performance Tip 14: Adjust Settings

Volumetric Fog
Depth of Field
Vignette
Motion Blur
Bloom

all of that can be deactivated right away. Then adjust the shadows first, as they are known to be most performance-hungry. I recommend strongly setting all shadows to lowest first, and then increasing their quality step by step until you find your personal sweet post, fitting for your graphics card.

Some of the heavier options worth checking out to see if you can do better with less include

Ray Tracing
Wind Simulation Quality
Sand/Snow Quality
Shadow Quality
Distant Shadow Quality
Shadow Distance
Ambient Light Quality

Often more than enough are medium or even low quality shadows, especially when you hardly notice a difference with them. Do not rely on the preview images you see - go outside into the game's wilds and check for yourself how the difference looks like and whether you notice it enough to be a bother.

Disable Cross-Play unless you are using it.
I also recommend setting the game to Single Player unless you prefer multiplayer.
Both measures increase the game's stability.

WARNING: If you use this, make sure the friends you play with have also Cross-Play DISABLED. All players in party need to have the same Cross-Play settings - otherwise you will experience a connection error while trying to connect to each other.

Disable Steam Cloud for the game, to reduce the risk of savegame corruption. It is a rare problem, but better be safe than sorry, right?

Use an alternative Upscaling (Super-resolution Imaging). While this may seem counterintuitive, it is worth to try another option among those available ingame.

While I am running the game on an Nvidia card, to my surprise the AMD FSR feels better.

The relation that Nvidia hardware needs to use the Nvidia upscaling is misleading - as long as the upscaling option is available, you can try out for your hardware if an alternative calculation for the upscaling can do the job better.

One of the many reasons why the app Lossless Scaling can be invaluable for making adjustments, is that it offers many more multiple options to upscale and generate additional frames. For more see Performance Tip 15: Lossless Scaling



Remember: tweaking the settings does not include a magic trick - there are limits to your hardware which cannot be surpassed. You either buy a better PC or accept the hard limits as they are when you meet them.

When Done Adjusting the Settings: Delete Shader Cache

Every time after you are satisfied with the game's settings changes, make sure to delete the game's shader cache which can be found in the game's folder, for best performance. It usually blows in proportion when testing, leading to a performance decrease if not reset by manual deletion.

Quit the game, then delete shader.cache2 which you can find in

Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Manage -> Browse local files





Only with a new compiled shader cache file you get to enjoy the new settings in full.



It might be hard to believe, but these two screenshots are made with exactly the same graphics settings (!!!). Left how it is supposed to be, right after the shader cache has grown to weird proportions. Deleting the shader cache file restored the graphics to its original beauty.

Performance Tip 15: Lossless Scaling

The usage of Lossless Scaling is a tad special.

First thing first, you can alternatively use the freeware Magpie.
https://github.com/Blinue/Magpie/releases

I prefer using Lossless Scaling.

Lossless Scaling is available as Steam app and is also available DRM free.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/993090/Lossless_Scaling/

A lot of people expect it to work magic without understanding the basic principle of how it actually works: you set the game to a lower resolution, say 720p, and let Lossless Scaling artificially enlarge the image. This gives your GPU more capacity to render the game's frames - at a lower resolution - resulting in more FPS. And Lossless Scaling enlarges those smaller frames to make it look like you actually have a higher resolution.

Lossless Scaling is a great tool, no doubt about it, and it works wonders when used with games on handhelds such as the ASUS ROG Ally X and the like. However, it does come at a price in terms of input lag, depending on how much the application actually needs to upscale.

For smaller resolution differences, this input lag is insignificant and therefore negligible. But the higher you base resolution is, the less effective the app becomes. Either way, it is worth trying as it is a very effective app.

Native 720p - Before Upscaling

Artificial 1080p - After Upscaling

Native 1080

It is hard to give you a static example here, as it is something you need to see for yourself in action. You could make use of Steam's 2-hours-refund-policy to check the app out.

Basically the images above show you the game set to 720p, as mentioned before, and then upscaled to 1080p. And lastly the native 1080p for comparison.

The overall quality looks almost as good as the native 1080p.
But more importantly is that the performance increase is remarkable!



The higher the scale factor, the more it goes towards performance at the cost of quality. You will need to find your personal sweet-spot for that. Using 720p is just an example here, of course you could also try 900p instead as baseline.

And do not forget to adjust the other graphics settings accordingly, once you decide to use upscaling - as it frees up GPU capacity you can e.g. pick higher texture or shadow quality in return. Adjust to your liking and check what is important to you aside of more FPS.

Veteran Hunter's Tip

Lossless Scaling can also be used to generate frames, so it is an alternative to the ingame frame generation feature. In addition to that, it can be also used to upscale videos - e.g. if you want to enjoy 1080 in better quality for 4k - with those the input lag issue does not matter at all.

I use Anime4k for upscaling anime.

Performance Tip 16: Update Routine

To ensure that your game runs as smoothly as possible after updates, there are a few steps you should follow that I strongly recommend based on my years of experience with the engine.

I have previously written troubleshooting guides for Monster Hunter Rise, and I can say that the content, including warnings and tips, is still relevant and useful for Monster Hunter Wilds.

1. Disable Auto-Updates

Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library and select Properties



Switch to the Updates tab and select "Wait until I launch the game"



This settings enables you to restart your PC manually before updating, which is essential.

2. Restart your PC FIRST BEFORE Updating

Steam tries to complete a download as quickly as possible when auto-updates are enabled. This can cause very common glitches due to you having run the game for so long in your last session - leading to sometimes Windows does not release file access properly, causing file corruption during the update process.

By manually taking control when Steam updates the game, and restarting your PC before the update is triggered, we ensure that no such file corruption can occur as a result of files still being accessed.

Think of it like trying to delete a running application: Windows will tell you that the application or files from the application are still in use and that it would not be possible. And this is what can cause corruption with game updates, where Windows thinks you are still playing and then prevents the update from working properly.

Restarting your PC before updating will prevent those common issues you see in form of "Disk Write Error" and / or "Corrupt Update Files" which can result in a download loop unable to finish.

3. Verify Monster Hunter Wilds' Files Integrity

Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library and select Properties



Go to the Local Files tab and select Verify integrity of game files

4. Repair the Steam Library

Open Steam Settings from the main menu of Steam



Go to the Storage tab, select the drive on which your game is installed, then pick the Repair Folder option from the menu (the three dots "...")

5. Delete Monster Hunter Wilds Shader Cache

Delete shader.cache2 which you can find in

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\MonsterHunterWilds

Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Manage -> Browse local files

6. Make a Savegame Backup (optional - but highly recommended)

Making a backup now and then I strongly recommend, knowing how fickly the engine can be. It suffices a simple crash at the wrong point of the game e.g. when saving / loading to result in a savegame corruption wiping out your whole progress you have made so far.

It takes just a minute, is easy to do and will be of great benefit for You, should you ever find a need for a savegame backup.

The default savegame location is

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\YOURPERSONALSTEAMID\2246340

Usually you will find only one folder in Steam\userdata - that is your Steam ID. Should you share your PC with other people who also uses Steam, use this to identify the correct Steam ID of yours
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2976796532
The cloud savegames can be found here:
https://store.steampowered.com/account/remotestorageapp/?appid=2246340

When using a backup to restore your savegame, make sure to disable Steam Cloud service for Monster Hunter Wilds first - otherwise it will conflict and Steam will ignore your backup.




As a mod author I am making a backup of my savegames after every session. It is a simple copy & paste action which I do, after setting up a shortcut on my desktop to my Monster Hunter Wilds game folder and savegame folder.





Copy & paste takes just a few seconds, but gives me peace of mind.
I can easily revert to older savegames if necessary with that.

Special Notes Regarding

Performance Tip 19: REFramework

The installed version of REFramework can become incompatible when a game updates, resulting in crash at launch. Update REFramework accordingly, or delete the responsible dinput8.dll file in your game's folder until an update is available to continue playing without REFramework.

Performance Tip: DStorage Update

Verifying the game's files will inevitably downgrade the DirectStorage files - I recommend to keep a backup of the update files so you can reapply the update after checking the game for errors. I put my backup in the game's folder. That way, once I am done with the game update routine, I just copy and paste the update back to the main folder.

Performance Tip 21: DLSS-Swapping

Same like with Performance Tip 20: DStorage Update: verifying the game's files will inevitably downgrade the swapped DLSS files, restoring the original version. For this too, I recommend to keep the DLSS-Swapper tool at the ready so you can easily reapply the performance tip.

ReShade

While this might be irrelevant for you, as ReShade impacts performance negatively, it is still worth mentioning that ReShade will not work properly without REFramework. So that too will eventually lead to crashes after a game update and/or if REFramework is not working correctly anymore. If you installed ReShade, make sure to remove it in case you experience crashes at launch.

Performance Tip 17: Auto-Clean Cache

A simple script which automatically deletes your temporary files and graphics cards shader cache whenever you startup your PC - increasing your PCs overall stability. To do so you need to create a CMD file and have it placed in autostart.

For that open Windows Notepad and enter the following script
(copy & paste)

@echo off

del /q C:\Temp\*.*
del /q C:\Windows\Temp\*.*
del /q "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\*.*"

del /q "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\NVIDIA\PerDriverVersion\DXCache\*.*"
del /q "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\NVIDIA\DXCache\*.*"

del /q "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\AMD\DxCache\*.*"
del /q "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\AMD\DxcCache\*.*"

for /d %%d in (C:\Temp\*) do rd /s /q "%%d"
for /d %%d in (C:\Windows\Temp\*) do rd /s /q "%%d"
for /d %%d in ("%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\*") do rd /s /q "%%d"

for /d %%d in ("%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\NVIDIA\PerDriverVersion\DXCache\*") do rd /s /q "%%d"
for /d %%d in ("%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\NVIDIA\DXCache\*") do rd /s /q "%%d"

for /d %%d in ("%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\AMD\DxCache\*") do rd /s /q "%%d"
for /d %%d in ("%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\AMD\DxcCache\*") do rd /s /q "%%d"

exit

save the file with Save as (Save as type: All Files ) AutoCleanup.cmd - it is important that the file extension becomes cmd to be usable.





Then place the file in your Windows Autostart folder.
(you can easy access that folder by entering "shell:startup" in the Run window (WIN+R))





With that script in Autostart, your PC will now automatically delete the system's temporary folders as well as the graphics cards' shader cache, whenever you boot up your PC.

Performance Tip 18: Go Windows Pro

If you are not already using a Professional Edition of Windows, I suggest contemplating the purchase. Although, at first glance, the disparities between Windows versions may not appear substantial enough to validate the supplementary cost, over the long term, these distinctions will prove to be significant. They can shield you from the vexations arising from compatibility issues brought about by restricted access to certain Windows features.



Please ensure that you obtain your licence legally, preferably in the OEM format, and never opt for volume licensing. It is imperative to procure it from a reputable and trusted source. Personally, I am acquiring mine from a registered store in Germany, operating under the auspices of European law, and it comes highly recommended by well-regarded regional and international gaming publications.


Opting to upgrade from the Windows Home version to the Windows Professional edition without having to format your PC and apply a fresh Windows installation is indeed a viable choice. However, for gamers, a fresh installation is the preferred route to eliminate any constricting leftover settings and outdated files that might lead to compatibility issues. When doing a fresh installation, it is crucial to exclusively utilise the most current ISO files provided by Microsoft to avoid update-related complications.

Moreover, it is prudent to prevent certain "features" from automatic activation, as this can avert unnecessary performance degradation. Consider, for instance, Windows' BitLocker feature, which has the potential to reduce SSD performance by up to 50%. The necessity of requiring a Microsoft account is debatable, and the data collection practices of Windows are often viewed as undesirable. To attain an optimally configured Windows environment, I recommend utilising tools such as Rufus. This utility tool helps you with the creation of a bootable installation medium that addresses the aforementioned issues.



During the Windows 11 installation, select the version for Windows 11 Pro for Workstations.



This ensures you get the best performance from Windows for gaming.

If you still prefer to upgrade an existing Windows 11 Home installation to Windows 11 Pro, you can use this key to install Windows 11 Pro for Workstations

NRG8B-VKK3Q-CXVCJ-9G2XF-6Q84J

Settings -> System -> Activation -> Change product key

That will make Windows 11 Home download and install Windows 11 Pro via Windows Update.
You still need a valid Windows 11 Pro key to activate Windows afterwards.

Veteran Hunter's Settings

At the end of this guide, I would like to share with you some game settings that I personally use as an experienced hunter. You do not have to use them yourself, but there may be a hunter or two out there who will be inspired by this information.

Health Gauge Display - Fixed
Stamina Gauge Display - Fixed
Sharpness Gauge Display - Fixed

Ally Hit Effects - Do Not Display
Ally Critical Effects - Do Not Display

HUD - Hidden Elements
Party Info
Scoutfly Notifications
Target Monster Icon
Button Guide
Name Display: Characters & Palicoes
the rest adjusted to my personal needs - others which cannot be hidden are small

Dash Controls - Only use RB
Hold Confirmation Duration - Short
Auto-sheathe - Disable Auto-sheathe

Hide Other Seikret - On
Seikret Auto-explore - Off
Call Seikret Controls - Type 3
Call Seikret Controls (Radial Menu) - Manual Movement
Seikret Manual Controls - Type 2
Seikret-only Route Controls - Type 1

Item Use Controls - Type 2
This is a personal preference of mine - but I like to mention it here, to show you how much of a difference you can make if you know what settings are available to tweak

Camera Distance: Zoom - 10
Camera Distance: Pan - 1
Camera Shake - 1
Ambient Camera Sway - 1
Focus Camera - Disable
Camera Terrain Adjustment - Do Not Adjust
Wide Camera Correction - 5
Lateral Camera Correction: Normal - 1
Lateral Camera Correction: Mounted - 1

Reticle Direction - Type 2
Camera Reset Direction - Direction of LS
Camera Reset Vertical - Do Not Level
Target Camera Vertigal - Do Not Adjust
Target Filtering - Large Monsters Only
Target/Objective Selection - Do Not Link
Monster Sighting Camera - Disable

As you might have noticed, I am playing on a controller - the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to be precise.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3436557592

Performance Tip 19: REFramework

Reach for the Moon Engine Framework, or REFramework for short, is a community driven mod enabler. This tip is last in this list, because you are basically adding an external file to run the game, which modifies the game effectively.

The framework itself is harmless, and yet I am still reluctant to recommend it due to my experiences with assisting in troubleshooting. Back then in Monster Hunter: World and in Monster Hunter Rise a lot of crashes are caused by bad handling of the framework.

Long story short: game got updated -> players forgot to update REFramework -> crash

It was always a headache because How am I supposed to know if you modded your game and you are not telling???

Especially players who used a mod manager forgot about the framework file, as it the framework itself is an enabler, and therefore not listed as actual mod in those managers.

Anyroads, as why I put this recommendation at the very end of the list is I want you to understand my frustration about users who do not use it correctly.

If used correctly, it can cause a significant performance increase.

It is harmless.
It is free.
It is easy to install and uninstall (copy & paste / delete file).
If used just for troubleshooting / the performance increase you cannot get banned.
It cost you less than five minutes to test it out.
It is safe to use.
It is multiplayer friendly - aka the effects are only for yourself.

So if playing multiplayer no one will notice you having it to begin with, hence you cannot be banned for. Like when editing your config.ini file no one can forbid you to make such modifications. It will not trigger any anti-cheat or DRM either.

How does it work?

Once installed, REFramework gets loaded automatically alongside the game, as if it was part of the game itself.

Imagine it like a removable plastic wrapper for your borrowed schoolbooks. Writing on the schoolbook's cover is strictly forbidden. But if you buy a plastic wrapper to protect the book, you can put e.g. stickers on that wrapper, and write all you want on that wrapper / stickers. It is fine as the book itself will not be touched and the plastic wrapper is easily removable once you are done using it.

That is how REFramework enables mods, by providing a framework - a plastic wrapper (metaphorically) - to wrap around the game. In doing so REFramework takes off a load from the self-checks of Denuvo among other things, allowing the game to have more capacity to focus on actually running the game instead of constantly checking of some changes have been made.

How to Install REFramework

Get the latest version of REFramework for Monster Hunter Wilds here
https://github.com/praydog/REFramework/releases



Copy only the file dinput8.dll - and nothing more - from the archive to your Monster Hunter Wild's folder.



Access the game's folder by right-clicking on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Manage -> Browse local files

And that was it! Simple as that!

To uninstall simply delete that dinput8.dll file from the game's folder. No more extra steps than that is necessary.
As easy as removing a plastic wrapper.

Give it a try!
Just make sure not to forget to update REFramework, whenever the game gets updated.

Otherwise you might get a crash, and it is not the game's fault for having a file modification incompatible with the latest version.

Veteran Hunter's Tip: Ultrawide Options

REFramework comes with a feature that helps with ultra-wide screen compatibility.



This feature solves the problem of having grey bars around the edges of the screen when using ultra-wide resolutions.

Related Guide

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3470955950

Recommended Mods

Now, if you went down the rabbit hole to get REFramework, here are some mods I can recommend to you - always make sure to keep REFramework up to date while using them.

Surpressed Scoutflies

by PeaslyWellbott[www.nexusmods.com]
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterwilds/mods/19
Keep the Seikret functionality while surpressing the Scoutflies animations - can be adjusted that only certain animations are disabled. Getting rid one of the most annoying sounds / animations.

Persistent Buff Glow Removal

by PeaslyWellbott[www.nexusmods.com]
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterwilds/mods/141
Is there really a comment of mine needed to express the appreciation for not having your character glowing - especially when the camera is closeup?

Silence Wedge Beetle Chime

by Musluk[www.nexusmods.com]
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterwilds/mods/232
If you know - you know.
Even my tinnitus started to sound like that already...

UI Settings Manager

by ShelanoirV[www.nexusmods.com]
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterwilds/mods/1684
Great for fine-tuning the GUI, especially keeping notifications disabled. I am using it mainly so I can keep the button guide for Hunting Horn while having it for all other weapons disabled.

Temnophobia Mode - Arachnophobia Mode for Giant Spiders

by TeaSharkLad[www.nexusmods.com]
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterwilds/mods/143
Does what the game is supposed to do natively.

Lite Environment - OGU (Old Gens Unbloat)

by HolographicWings[www.nexusmods.com]
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterwilds/mods/234
Works better to improve game performance - especially by fully disabling Wind Simulation and Volumetric Fog

Tweak In-Game Volumetric Fog(s)

by TheFuzzy51[www.nexusmods.com]
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterwilds/mods/455

Disable Lens Distortion

by SnakeyHips[www.nexusmods.com]
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterwilds/mods/245

!!!!! REMINDER !!!!
KEEP REFRAMEWORK UP TO DATE !!!

Whenever a new game update releases, do the game update routine and check the REFramework github for updates. The game will certainly crash once you forgot about it.

The good news is - just by deleting the dinput8.dll file for REFramework from your game's folder, renders all mods installed dormant.

So if the game got updated and it crashes and there is no new REFramework version available yet - delete file dinput8.dll file for REFramework from your game's folder.

That will set all the mods dormant until there is a REFramework update. Alternatively you can decide to remove the mods - it will not affect your savegame.

All mods I recommend here are

- Fully Removable Without a Trace
- Multiplayer Friendly; it affects only You and no one else
- Zero Savegame Edits
- Free and Available at No Cost

Performance Tip 20: Unbloat Windows

Get Rid of Bloatware

The standard Windows setup comes with a lot of applications that are unnecessary for a gaming PC (or any PC, for that matter, as many of the applications seem to be designed for mobile devices (e.g. Microsoft Surface tablets), which can slow down the overall performance of your PC just by having them installed and on standby in the background, unused.

But you can easily remove them either by using an app like CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller.

A convenient free version of Revo Uninstaller (portable) that does not require installation can be found here: https://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/revo_uninstaller_portable

A convenient free version of CCleaner (portable) that does not require installation can be found here: https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/builds

I recommend the removal using Revo Uninstaller, as the app also removes related registry entries.

To remove them manually open Windows Terminal (Admin) aka PowerShell

Right-click on the Windows symbol in the taskbar and select Terminal (Admin) from the menu



then enter these commands



(for your convenience copy & paste everything and confirm with Enter)

Get-AppxPackage *bingweather* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *windowsalarms* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *windowsphone* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *getstarted* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *zunevideo* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *bingfinance* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *zunemusic* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *windowscamera* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *windowsmaps* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *people* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *windowscommunicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *bingnews* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *officehub* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *bingsports* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *soundrecorder* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *xboxidentityprovider* | Remove-Appx

Get-AppxPackage *windowscalculator* | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxPackage *photos* | Remove-AppxPackage

Personally, I keep the Windows Calculator, which I find convenient to use via hotkey, and Photos as quick image viewer. I even removed Edge, Mail and other Windows applications, so this is what it looks like from what I have left.



Apart from the fact that most players never use these applications in the first place, there are better alternatives for every application Microsoft tries to make you dependent on. Whether it is LibreOffice, Thunderbird email or the Brave browser, you can only win in terms of performance and functionality by using free open source alternatives - all of them not even need to be installed.

Turn Off Unneeded Windows Features

Right-click on the Windows symbol in your taskbar and select Run (or open it with WIN+R)



Enter control to open the Control Panel



Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off



I keep only .NET Framework, Print and Document Services and Windows Powershell 2.0

Disable Windows Telemetry and Data Collection

Use O&O ShutUp10++ to stop Windows from constantly sending data to Microsoft about how you use their operating system. This not only saves you bandwidth, but also improves performance by freeing up capacity which is normally used in the background to collect data for Microsoft.

O&O ShutUp10++ is available for free and part of the certified Microsoft Partner software lineup of O&O Software: https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

It also is a portable app, which means: no installation needed!



Make sure to run O&O ShutUp10++ as administrator.

Disable Windows Reserved Storage

Windows always reserves a generous amount of storage space for update purposes. When using this performance guide, the reserved storage is completely unnecessary and can be safely turned off to improve your system's performance.

To disable the Reserved storage enter this command into Terminal (Admin) / PowerShell

DISM.exe /Online /Set-ReservedStorageState /State:Disabled

If you get an error message like this, then it is because Windows is still running some maintenance/update processes in the background.





Once all maintenance and/or update processes are completed, disabling the reserved storage will not be an issue.

Disk Clean-up

For good measures, use the Windows Cleanup Manager by typing cleanmgr in Run (WIN+R).



Select Clean up system files and let Windows remove any temporary files you no longer need.

Performance Tip 21: DLSS-Swapping

Another simple file-swap tip, to make use of newer version of Nvidia's DLSS technology.

Download the free tool DLSS-Swapper from here: https://github.com/beeradmoore/dlss-swapper
I always recommend the portable version - that way you can easily delete the app afterwards with leaving no traces.



Run the app by launching DLSS Swapper.exe



Select Monster Hunter Wilds and select for DLSS and DLSS Frame Generation the latest version available (or the version you want to use, if you know which works best).



Once you are done with that, close the app and delete the game's shader cache.

Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Manage -> Browse local files



Then delete shader.cache*



Restart your PC when you are done, and with that you upgraded the DLSS version the game is using.

How does it work?

The DLSS technology by Nvidia is the module which is used to upscale images and generating additional frames for a smoother display of the game. Similar like with the DirectStorage update, we simply aim for the newest and better version available which is not implemented in the game yet.



After you are done you can even see the changed DLSS version number in the game's settings.

This method can also be used to update the other upscaling / frame generation modules, such as FSR, or XeSS - which is at the time of writing the guide unnecessary.

Important - Using Performance Tip 16: Update Routine

When excersising Performance Tip 16: Update Routine, this tip Performance Tip 21: DLSS-Swapping needs to be redone.

For that matter you can keep e.g. the folder with the tool in your Monster Hunter Wilds game folder for easy access.



When verifying the game's files integrity, Steam will automatically revert any modified files to its original state - so every time you use that Steam feature, you need to redo the DLSS file-swap.

This also applies to game updates in general.

Performance Tip 22: rBAR

Resizable Base Address Register (rBAR), also known as Re-Size BAR, Smart Access Memory (SAM) or Clever Access Memory (C.A.M.), is a feature on modern motherboards that allows supported CPUs to access supported GPUs faster.

In short: it can make your CPU and GPU work better together and deliver faster performance.

To use this feature, you must have a supported motherboard, a supported CPU and a supported GPU. If you bought your PC as a whole from a shop with supported components, this feature is usually turned on by default.

If you built your PC yourself, or have recently upgraded, it may be worth checking that this feature is enabled.



Example screenshot from ASUS: you can find the feature option within the Advanced BIOS settings. 4G Decoding has to be enabled, otherwise the option for Re-Size BAR support is hidden. Other mainboards might use a different term for Re-Size BAR, like Smart Access Memory or Clever Access Memory, depending on the brand.

In general, the performance boost from this feature is in most games minimal, with a few exceptions that make good use of this new technology.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, this feature is known to help with Windows Media Player content, reducing stuttering especially in menus where video is being played.

Performance Tip 23: Keep Cool

Increase Fans Speed for Better Cooling

A more reactive fan curve can help prevent heat spikes caused by sudden performance spikes when playing demanding games like Monster Hunter Wilds.

Counteracting heat spikes also significantly improves performance by preventing processing units from throttling down to keep hardware temperatures within acceptable parameters. By keeping it cool, your PC can instead continue to run at maximum performance.

The free MSI Afterburner tool can be used to create a custom, more responsive fan curve to help cool your processor. Alternatively, you can try keeping the fan speed at 100% while you play.

You can download MSI Afterburner for free here
https://www.msi.com/Landing/afterburner



This is the fan response curve I use personally.
Depending on where you put your PC it can be loud. Adjust it to your needs, and if in doubt, set it manually to 100% when playing and switch it back to automatic after the game session.

Results may vary depending on your room temperature, case design, case maintenance (keeping it free of dust and organising your cables to avoid obstructing internal case airflow) and other cooling hardware you may be using.

If you have older hardware, also check if the thermal paste needs replacing - modern high-end thermal paste can last the lifetime of a PC, whereas cheap thermal paste can become a problem after two years. Considering that you can get high-end thermal paste for about the same price as a fast food meal, without the drink, it is an easy and affordable investment that can go a long way.

Laptop Cooler

If you play on a laptop, like me, make sure you use a suitable laptop cooler. This is a must for gamers as laptops have built-in safety measures that automatically reduce performance when a certain temperature threshold is reached. By using an aluminium laptop cooler with active fans, you can effectively reduce the temperature and prevent your laptop from slowing down due to heat during your gaming session.

Performance Tip: DStorage Update

With Title Update 1 Ver. 1.010.00.00 of Monster Hunter Wilds, released on 04.04.2025, Direct Storage for the game has been updated to the latest official version available.

From previously version 1.2.3 (1.2.2407.1501) to 1.2.4 (1.2.2504.401)

This tip is no longer required.

https://steamcommunity.com/ogg/2246340/announcements/detail/534346573841170992
===================================================

This tip is another modification. Less a community made mod, more "a simple file-swap".

Download from the official source provided by Microsoft

https://www.nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.Direct3D.DirectStorage



Unpack the archive and get the two files from the subfolder ..native\bin\x64

dstorage.dll
dstoragecore.dll



If you need an app to extract the files, I recommend 7-Zip Portable - no installation needed
https://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/7-zip_portable

Copy both files into the game's folder

Access the game's folder by right-clicking on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Manage -> Browse local files



Confirm the replacement of the existing files.

How does it work?

DirectStorage is a special technology by Microsoft for loading game files quick through an NVMe SSD. It only works with NVMe SSDs. By updating the relevant files we can get better performance with seeing Windows loading the game files better than before.

As you have noticed: with the Monster Hunter Wilds' game files there already are DirectStorage files available. But in a different version. By applying the update - directly from the source - we modify existing Microsoft files for quicker loading by actually just updating them.

The workaround is known among users to work harmless and reliable.

So it is definitely worth a try.

If you want to revert the change, all you need to do is to verify the game's files integrity. Steam will automatically replace the new files with the original - older versions - of the files.

Important - Using Performance Tip 16: Update Routine

When excersising Performance Tip 16: Update Routine, this tip Performance Tip 20: DStorage Update needs to be redone.

I recommend to store a copy of the files in an extra folder within the game's folder - or another place which is convenient for you - so you can easily reapply the DirectStorage manual update.





When verifying the game's files integrity, Steam will automatically revert any modified files to its original state - so every time you use that Steam feature, you need to redo the DirectStorage update.

This also applies to game updates in general.

Connectivity Tip 1: Change DNS Server

To improve ping and overall connection stability we utilise the Cloudflare DNS Server, which is known to be the best for gaming.

Go to Windows Settings and select there Network & internet
you can get there by right click on the Windows icon in your taskbar (WIN+X) and select Settings



Select the connection type you are using
in this example we start with Ethernet aka wired connection

Edit the DNS server assignment



Select Manual



Expand the options for IPv4 and IPv6



The Cloudflare Public DNS IP addresses (IPv4) are as follows:

• 1.1.1.1
  
• 1.0.0.1

The Cloudflare Public DNS IPv6 addresses are as follows:

• 2606:4700:4700::1111
  
• 2606:4700:4700::1001

You can use either address as your preferred or alternative DNS server.

When you are done Save and restart your PC.

Same can be done for WiFi - select the Hardware Properties to access the option



Then do the same as above

Why Changing DNS Server

Stuttering, freezes, connection issues.
And that all despite everything on your side seems to be in order.

• You have a good download and upload rate.
  
• You have a stable wireless connection at highest standards or use a cable to connect your PC with your ISP (Internet Service Provider) device or router.
  
• You have a good PC which is not lacking any resources to run internet services at all.
  
• You are running out of ideas what else you could possibly do but moving to a different place as it might be a regional ISP hardware thing.

Well.
Changing the DNS (Domain Name System) servers, those which are responsible to assign your connections to the worldwide servers, from the default ISP one to a different service might just do the trick.

Why would it differ and how could it?

This is likely due to the inadequate local infrastructure. When Internet Service Providers (ISPs) prioritize making new contracts with more users instead of upgrading the infrastructure properly, it can result in poor performance. It is like a traffic jam, where new cars keep entering the road, but the lanes have not been adjusted for a long time. The ISP, who could address the issue, is reluctant to take action to cut costs, while those who could push for a change fail to grasp the importance of a reliable internet connection.

Changing DNS Server has always reliably improved connectivity for gaming services, especially well known among Playstation players.

Connectivity Tip 2: Disable Nagle's

Nagle's algorithm controls the transmission size of data packets to manage network congestion. Instead of sending all packets immediately, it combines smaller packets into larger ones before sending them. In other words, it waits and delays the sending of packets rather than sending them immediately. In rare cases, this can cause micro-disconnects, which can be a problem with certain games, especially latency-sensitive games such as Monster Hunter Wilds.

Disabling the algorithm can improve connectivity in latency-sensitive games significantly.


To disable Nagle's Algorithm enter this code in Terminal (Admin) / PowerShell

netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

Right-click on the Windows logo on your taskbar (WIN+X)

Select Terminal (Admin) from the menu





Then run the Registry Editor (WIN+R -> "regedit") and go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces

there lookup the key with your LAN-IP

To lookup your LAN-IP you can use "ipconfig" via Terminal / PowerShell.



(this is an example IP on my PC - make sure to look for the correct one on yours)

search for the keys among

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces

for the correct one which has your LAN-IP



and there add

TcpAckFrequency 1

and

TCPNoDelay 1



as DWORD (32-bit) Value entries.

Restart your PC after you are done for the changes to take effect.

Windows Tip 1: Look & Feel

Now that you have applied all the performance tips to make Windows run better, here are some more tips to improve Windows with quality of life features that you should not miss out on.

While they may not directly affect Monster Hunter Wilds' performance, these tips can help make your Windows experience more enjoyable. Give them a try!

Classic (Better) Taskbar: Start11

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1694750/Start11_v2/?curator_clanid=28974

If you dislike the Windows 11 taskbar as much as I do, and see it as something that belongs more on a tablet PC than a desktop PC, give Stardock's Start11 a try.



To me it was especially important that I could read the task titles in the taskbar instead just seeing big icons.

Clearview Wallpaper: AutoHideDesktopIcons

https://www.softwareok.de/?seite=Microsoft/AutoHideDesktopIcons

You love your desktop wallpaper but you cannot do without your desktop shortcut?
Have them automatically hidden with this freeware when you are not using them.



This very lightweight tool, which does not need to be installed (select the portable version), automatically hides your desktop icons after a short period of time, giving you a clear view of your desktop background. A simple click on the desktop brings them back. Simple and easy.



I am actually just using a blank black desktop.
But my desktop is still full of desktop icons when they are not hidden.

Classic Context Menu: Winaero Tweaker

https://winaerotweaker.com/



An easy to use freeware which lets you tweak many Windows settings - including re-enabling the classic context menu under Windows 11.

Improved Context Menu: Windows Context Menu Manager

https://github.com/BluePointLilac/ContextMenuManager/releases

What is better than the classic full context menu?
A context menu which you have customised yourself to your needs.



As I use my PC mainly for gaming, I do not need additional options such as encryption or network properties displayed in the context menu. This extra, unused stuff just adds unnecessary clutter. So it is great to be able to turn it off for good and add what I need when I need it.

And the freeware ContextMenuManager lets you do exactly that.

Windows Tip 2: Utility

Upgrade All Compatible Apps at Once: Winget

I just love this functionality which has become a standard in Windows.

By entering the command

winget upgrade --all

in Terminal (Admin) / PowerShell, Windows' package manager winget will automatically update all compatible applications to the latest version. Whether it is 7z, VLC, runtimes and much more, it is convenient, reliable and saves a lot of time keeping installed software up to date. If you have not used this feature yet, give it a try!

Better Browsing: Brave + SponsorBlock

There are so many alternatives to Microsoft's Edge - the best browser is the one which suits you most. Pretty much every other browser but Edge is a good choice and I have tried them all. Personally I stick to Google Chrome since I am using quite a lot of Google tools. But I still like to give you the recommendation regarding

Brave

https://brave.com/
Which is special for it surpresses ads by default. Works especially great on my android phone, where I can use YouTube in the background without ads and while the screen is locked, a feature which is usually limited to YouTube Premium.

SponsorBlock

https://sponsor.ajay.app/
A browser addon which works on community-basis to let you skip sponsored contents within a video. The makers also offer a browser addon which addresses the issue of clickbait-thumbnails, turning YouTube overall more likable again.

Together, they provide a fresh web browsing experience, reminiscent of the early days when Firefox and Opera were new and offered many features that Internet Explore did not.

Disable Caps Lock

https://github.com/randyrants/sharpkeys/releases
Really, have you ever used Caps Lock?

I cannot even imagine what it is supposed to be good for. All it does for me is get on my nerves whenever I accidentally press it. So I use SharpKeys to make it behave like another SHIFT key. If I accidentally hit it, it just behaves like another SHIFT key with no additional effect. I could put the calculator on it, though. Remapping your keyboard quickly and easily with this freeware tool is definitely worth your time.

Windows Tip 3: Stability

Disable Sleep Mode

This tip will make your Windows startup and shutdown slower.

But it will increase your system's overall stability.

And you eventually get a few GB free space ~


With the introduction of ReadyBoost technology in Windows Vista, the default shutdown process in Windows is no longer as effective as it was in Windows XP. To facilitate faster start-up times, Windows retains driver information within its hibernation file, which is utilised for Sleep Mode. This occurs regardless of whether Sleep Mode is actively used or not.

For this reason, it is essential to restart your computer regularly, allowing the operating system to clear outdated driver information that has accumulated in the hibernation file over time.

If, like me, you primarily use your computer for gaming at home, you may find Sleep Mode unnecessary. In such cases, the computer is either powered on while gaming or completely switched off. There is little need for an "always-ready-to-start-at-any-time" mode, but rather a preference for a more stable and reliable system.

Disabling the hibernation file deactivates Windows Sleep Mode and ensures that each shutdown functions similarly to a full system restart, effectively clearing residual driver data.

Although this may result in slightly longer start-up and shutdown times, it ultimately contributes to a more stable and dependable system overall.

To disable Sleep Mode / hibernation file use this command in terminal as administrator

powercfg.exe /hibernate off

if you want to revert the change, simply change the command to

powercfg.exe /hibernate on

How To: Backup Your Savegame

A little over a week after the release of Monster Hunter Wilds, an expected number of people have reported problems with their savegames. Expected, as those of us who are veterans of previous Capcom games have experienced these issues before.

For this reason, I would like to encourage everyone to make a backup of your savegame from time to time. Better safe than sorry, right?

All it takes is a simple crash at the wrong point in the game, such as when saving or loading, to result in a corrupted savegame that will wipe out all your progress.

It only takes a minute, is easy to do, and will come in very handy should you ever find yourself needing a savegame backup.

The default savegame location is

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\YOURPERSONALSTEAMID\2246340

Usually you will find only one folder in Steam\userdata - that is your Steam ID. Should you share your PC with other people who also uses Steam, use this to identify the correct Steam ID of yours
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2976796532
The cloud savegames can be found here:
https://store.steampowered.com/account/remotestorageapp/?appid=2246340

When using a backup to restore your savegame, make sure to disable Steam Cloud service for Monster Hunter Wilds first - otherwise it will conflict and Steam will ignore your backup.




As a mod author I am making a backup of my savegames after every session. It is a simple copy & paste action which I do, after setting up a shortcut on my desktop to my Monster Hunter Wilds game folder and savegame folder.





Copy & paste takes just a few seconds, but gives me peace of mind.
I can easily revert to older savegames if necessary with that.

Cause of the Savegame Issue

What I am telling you at this point are assumptions based on my experience in analysing and resolving savegame issues in previous RE engine games.

The most likely cause of the savegame problem that may occur in Monster Hunter Wilds is a combination of poor operating system settings - specifically permissions issues - and hard drive performance. This may sound far-fetched, but my observations have confirmed that the risk of the problem occurring increases if the PC is already experiencing such problems.

In simpler words: most users experiencing that problem are fulfilling these two conditions

- they are using Windows Home
- they often have app hangs

The combination of these two factors can lead to corrupted savegames being created when the game is closed, as the game is not properly unloaded by the operating system.

In fairness, I should add: Capcom has tightened its DRM encryption on the savegames considerably over the years. In the past, it was easy to actually fix this file corruption - but also easy to abuse this fix. Assuming that they wanted to combat this abuse, the structure of the savegame has been restructured to the point that it no longer allows for an easy fix.

Trivia: Beware of "Force Quit"

"Force Quit" of the game, aka ALT+F4, is by default disabled in Monster Hunter Wilds. Why? Because the game uses auto-saves. If you accidently hit ALT+F4 in the wrong moment, it will definitely corrupt your savegame due to Capcom's savegame architecture. Players who have used that to abuse certain game mechanics, by forcefully "resetting a gamble" are prone to savegame corruption as well, for obvious reasons.

Another cause not to be underestimated is the influence of Cheaters.

Manipulations of the game are fairly easy if you know your way around the RE engine. Not just by using the mentioned REFramework, but also by simply adding files for the game to load along.

There are the kind of mods which are affecting multiplayer as well. The problem is: if objects get created by those mods are saved into the savegame, there is no guarantee what will happen in the future.

Imagine it like this: you have three seats - first is occupied by the game, second and third is vacant. Now the mod occupies the vacant second seat. So far so good. For now. The moment a game update wants to use the second seat, it collides with the mod data.

Conclusion: even if a mod works today, there is no guarantee it will work with an update in the future.

That is one of the reasons why I never recommend mods which will harm your savegame, or your fellow hunters savegames, in any way.

Problem here is: in multiplayer you cannot easily tell who is using mods and who is not. Etiquette dictates to use gameplay affecting mods only in singleplayer, for apparent reasons.

So yeah, if someone plays with a cheater in multiplayer, there is a high risk that they will end up with savegame corruption. If not right away, maybe with a future game update.

I know, it is scary. [b]Your efforts are not wasted. It is insurance.[/b] The best insurance is the one you will never use, but will be there for you in full when necessary. [pre

And to be plain: I have no solution for that aside of giving you this knowledge so you can make backups and play safely. I wholeheartedly wish that you will never have a need for your savegame backup. But we do it not because we want to use it - we do it because we want to have peace of mine.

Your efforts are not wasted. It is insurance.

The best insurance is the one you will never use, but will be there for you in full when necessary.

Related Guide

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3459020087
Comes with a tip for an automatic backup script that automatically makes a copy of your savegame every time you start the game. Check it out!

Troubleshooting 1: Delete Shader Cache

Delete the file shader.cache2, which can be found in the game's folder, to resolve graphics related issues. This is part of the game update routine and should also be done whenever you change your graphics settings.


Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Manage -> Browse local files



Locate the file shader.cache2 and delete it

Defective Shader Cache and the Consequences

Under certain circumstances, such as using mods, changing graphics-related settings, game updates, etc., the shader cache can grow in size. The larger the shader cache becomes compared to its initial size when it was first created, the more the game's performance will suffer.


These two screenshots show the game with exactly the same graphics settings.
Left as it should look, right with the defective shader cache file.

So if you notice that your game's shader cache has grown significantly, you should delete the file to force the game to recompile the shaders for best performance.

Troubleshooting 2: Reset to Vanilla

This information will help you reset the game to its vanilla state without having to download the entire game again. Use this if you have used mods before and the game no longer runs correctly.


Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Manage -> Browse local files



Delete everything EXCEPT for

MonsterHunterWilds.exe
re_chunk_000.pak
re_chunk_000.pak.patch_001.pak
re_chunk_000.pak.patch_002.pak
re_chunk_000.pak.patch_003.pak
re_chunk_000.pak.sub_000.pak
re_chunk_000.pak.sub_000.pak.patch_001.pak
re_chunk_000.pak.sub_000.pak.patch_002.pak
re_chunk_000.pak.sub_000.pak.patch_003.pak

and the dlc folder
(the dlc folder is optional - if you do not have it, then do not worry about it)



Once you are done, restart your PC and after that verify the game's files integrity

Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library and select Properties



Go to the Installed Files tab and select Verify integrity of game files



P.S.: Do not worry about your save game. It is stored elsewhere.

=======================================

Veteran Hunter's Tip: Use SteamDB to Identify Mod Files

Each content update has added a new PAK file since the game's release.
While the method above will always work, as the game will redownload any missing files after verifying it through Steam, you can additionally check which PAK files to keep by comparing the files on your computer with the files listing on SteamDB.

https://steamdb.info/depot/2246341/





By comparing your local files with the latest SteamDB entry, you can easily see which files and folders do not belong to the game natively.

Troubleshooting 3: Savegame Corruption

A crash on startup can be caused by a corrupted savegame.

For details on how to prevent savegame loss see here
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3459020087
The easiest way to check whether your savegame is corrupted or not is to force the game to load the game without a savegame.

To do this, make sure that Steam Cloud is disabled for the game, so that it does not interfere with the test by downloading a corrupted save game when it detects none.

Right-click on Monster Hunter Wilds in your Steam Library -> Properties -> uncheck the option for Steam Cloud



Go then to your savegame folder

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\YOURPERSONALSTEAMID\2246340

and rename the remote folder into something else





Later, if it turns out that your problems were not caused by a corrupted savegame, you can delete the new remote folder and replace it with the old one by renaming it back.

If you start the game now, it will miss the savegame and initialise a new one.

Interpreting the Results

Scenario A
If the game still crashes regardless of your savegame, then it is probably not a corrupted savegame that is causing the crash on startup.


Scenario B
If the game continues to run normal with a new savegame, then it is most likely that your savegame got corrupted and cannot be used anymore.

The Bad News

Unfortunately, there is currently no known way to recover a corrupted savegame, whether caused by a desynchronisation problem, a DRM problem or mods.

As savegames are only stored locally on your personal computer and not on any Capcom servers, Capcom Support cannot provide any assistance.

Troubleshooting 4: Network

In the majority of cases, disconnecting the modem for 15 minutes (it takes a while for the internet service provider to register the timeout) will help to resolve various internet connection issues, as it forces the PC and connection to re-register with new addresses.

It normally goes like this:

1. Disconnect the device from power by unplugging its power cable

2. Disconnect the device from your internet by unplugging its DSL cable

3. Wait 15 minutes and let the device rest

4. Connect the device back to power and let it boot up

5. Wait circa five minutes for the device to boot up properly

6. Plug in back the internet cable

If you did everything correctly, for most users, you should get a new internet protocol address.

You can check your IP before starting the procedure and compare it afterwards with this

https://nordvpn.com/what-is-my-ip/



The IP address should be different from before. Only in very rare cases do some very rural internet service providers use static community addresses. In such cases, you can only contact your internet service provider for assistance.


In rarer cases, some PC settings may have been messed up and need to be addressed manually, especially after a game update where the game needs to be whitelisted again in Windows Security and your security applications.

So make sure that

• your game is whitelisted in your security application(s) (e.g. Windows Firewall)
  
• you run Steam and Monster Hunter Wilds as administrator

Flush DNS

Right-click on the Windows logo on your taskbar (WIN+X)

Select Terminal (Admin) from the menu



Enter each of the following lines one by one and confirm each with ENTER
(you can use copy & paste)

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /registerdns

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

netsh winsock reset

Restart your PC once you are done.

Windows Network Reset

In addition to all above, Windows has a feature which allows you to reset all network settings.







If you used the performance tip to set up a DNS server, you will need to do it again after resetting all your network settings.

About Opening Ports

When online gaming was still relatively new, opening up ports for games was a must. Otherwise, the firewalls on your PC and in your router and modem would not let the game through. This is no longer necessary as all modern hardware has Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) feature built in by default.

All you need to do is check your router and/or modem to make sure it is correctly set to on.

Internet Protocol Version 6 Incompatibility with very Old Setups

In very rare cases, mostly with old routers and/or bad internet service providers, the default use of modern IPv6 can cause unexpected problems. Disabling this option reduces the risk of timeouts caused by network address translation.

You can find the setting with the internet adaptor's Properties
(WIN+R -> enter "ncpa.cpl" -> right-click on the adaptor you are using -> Properties)



If you are using cable for your internet connection, change the setting with your Ethernet adaptor. For me it is my WLAN adaptor.



Uncheck the IPv6 option, confirm with OK and restart your PC afterwards.

Troubleshooting 5: Repair Windows

Check your Windows Installation for Errors

Select the administrator option for Terminal from the Windows menu by opening the menu via WIN+X or right-click on the Windows icon on the taskbar then copy & paste the following commands and confirm them with Enter while running the command prompt tool

sfc /scannow

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth ; DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /AnalyzeComponentStore

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup

chkdsk /f /r

While testing the commands work for this guide, I stumbled upon that my PC too had some files to be repaired. Thank goodness I went through all the steps!


If the maintenance tool finds items to repair, I recommend repeating the process once it has finished. The ideal outcome would be that there are no error messages or items to repair on the second pass.

Should the second pass not suffice, there are two approaches to take.

1. Using SFCFix

https://www.sysnative.com/forums/downloads/sfcfix/
This tool will help with the force needed to make the maintenance tools work.

2. Using Windows In-Place-Upgrade-Repair

In rare cases, if the DISM / SFC tools are not sufficient to repair your Windows, you can use the Windows in-place upgrade feature to repair Windows. With this method, Windows will use Windows Update to compare your current installed version with the available online version of Windows.

This method is a recommended alternative to using a Windows ISO / bootstick to perform the repair, as it is much easier to use.

Required Windows Components

In rare cases it can happen that your Windows is missing essential components to run the game. Especially when it is a fresh Windows install. Use the installers from this package:

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 14.40.33810
All in One Package for Troubleshooting (04/2025)

https://www.nexusmods.com/helldivers2/mods/93

Included are installers for

DirectX

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35

Visual C++ Redistributables

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=53840

Special Microsoft Visual C++ Unreal Engine Prerequisites

.NET Desktop Runtime 6.0

https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/6.0
(this version is still mostly used for games)

.NET Framework Repair Tool

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30135

Troubleshooting: Various

Gamepad via Bluetooth

Severity: Crashes

There is a known Steam issue which can lead to crashes if playing the game via bluetooth gamepad. The crash is so severe that it crashes Steam as well. Cause is some faulty Steam Controller software - reinstalling Steam or avoiding using Bluetooth gamepad for Monster Hunter Wilds can help.

Overlay & Recording Softwares

Severity: Crashes and Significant Performance Losses

Steam Game Recording, discord, Overwolf, Medal, OBS are known to cause fatal issues with certain hardware setups.

Turn them off or check for alternatives.

Overclocked Hardware

Severity: Crashes

Quite a number of players experienced the game is trying to utilise the most out of their hardware encountered an issue where the overclocking results in instability of the graphics cards' performance. Disabling overclocking, either by clocking it down or running the hardware in debug mode (which disables overclocking settings by default) have proven to be a reliable fix.

Note: a lot of users are unaware that their hardware is overclocked, assuming they needed to do something to for that - a lot of budget hardware actually come overclocked out of the box, so that the manufacturer can demand higher prices for lesser hardware.



With Nvidia GPU turning on debug mode is as simple as ticking a checkbox in the control panel.

XMP/EXPO

Severity: Crashes

XMP/EXPO are RAM enhancement features included in many modern mainboards' BIOS. In many cases it can help with a performance increase, some games - especially console ports like Monster Hunter Wilds - are prone to crashes due to that feature.

Turn it off and check if it works without.

Outdated Drivers

Severity: Crashes and Performance Losses

Many reports have repeatedly indicated, that a driver update using the automated Windows updates is insufficient. It is worth to check the PC manufacturer's website as well when troubleshooting, to see if they have any new drivers available for your PC.

Trivia: certain apps, like CCleaner would tell you that what Windows Update does not. My tip: use such apps in their free trial version and let them tell you which drivers might need updates and take note. No need to get the paid pro version to have your drivers updated automatically by those apps - all you need is just to know for which you need to look for, then grab them from the manufacturer's website and install them yourself. Free of charge.

ReShade

Severity: Crash at Launch and Significant Performance Losses

Works only under certain conditions well, can lead to crashes. I do not recommend using it, as it impacts performance negatively and heavily.

Multiplayer Issues due to Steam Friendslist

Severity: Very Rare Issue

A known disconnect / desynchronisation issue can occur when one's friendlist exceeds the amount of maximum friends which the game can handle. This issue is very rare and should not be top on the list of checkings for your disconnect issues.

Alternative to removing friends are
a) create a new Steam Account, use Steam Family Share to use Monster Hunter Wilds on that new Steam Account which has no friends and check if the issue persists

b) Launch the game with

-nofriendsui -udp

or

-nofriendsui -tcp 

in the executable's parameters.

Joystick Drift

Severity: Costly to Buy a New Gamepad

An annoying hardware issue which cannot be magically fixed, but compensated enough to make it unnoticable to a certain extent. The video below is older and the Steam GUI has changed since then - but you can still find the options to make it work - it just looks different these days. Most cases of Stick Drift can be compensated that way very effectively.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGDBcLX5dbw

Related Guide

While this guide has been written for Monster Hunter Rise, the usefulness for Monster Hunter Wilds is still up to date - you can use that for a How to share essential information when asking for help on forums:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2831340548

Thanks for Reading!

Happy Hunting!