Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Frameshift is safe to use.

• All optimizations modify only Windows settings and registry values - no files are deleted or modified
• System restore points are automatically created before each optimization category
• Every change can be reverted using the built-in revert function
• Frameshift does not inject code into games or modify game files
• No driver-level modifications are made

Thousands of users safely run Frameshift daily without issues. If you experience problems, simply click "Revert" to restore previous settings.

Yes, all changes are fully reversible.

Frameshift provides multiple rollback options:

1. Per-category revert: Click "Revert" on any optimization category to undo just that category's changes
2. Registry tracking: Frameshift logs all registry modifications and can restore original values
3. System restore: Use Windows System Restore to roll back to the restore point created before optimization

All three methods are safe and will not affect your personal files or game data.

Administrator access is required to modify system-level settings.

Frameshift needs admin privileges to:

• Modify Windows Registry values for optimizations
• Change system power plans and CPU settings
• Adjust network adapter configurations
• Create system restore points
• Set process priorities for games
• Manage Windows services

Without admin rights, optimizations will fail or have no effect. To run as admin, right-click Frameshift and select "Run as administrator".

Yes, Frameshift supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

System requirements:

• Minimum: Windows 10 Build 1903 or later
• Recommended: Windows 11 (any build)
• RAM: 4 GB minimum, 8 GB+ recommended
• Storage: 50 MB free (200 MB recommended)

Some optimizations may behave slightly differently between Windows 10 and 11 due to OS differences, but all core features work on both versions.

No, Frameshift does not collect or transmit your data.

• All analytics data is stored locally on your computer at %APPDATA%\Frameshift\
• No telemetry or usage statistics are sent to external servers
• Game detection and performance monitoring happen entirely offline
• The only internet connection is for checking updates from our CDN

Your privacy is important. Frameshift operates completely offline by default.

Results vary based on your system and current configuration.

Typical improvements per category:

• Network: 0 FPS gain, ~15ms latency reduction
• GPU: 3-8% FPS improvement, 2ms latency reduction
• CPU: 3-15% FPS improvement, 2ms latency reduction
• Storage: ~5% FPS gain, 1ms latency reduction
• Memory: 3-10% FPS improvement, 2ms latency reduction
• System: 5% FPS gain, 10ms latency reduction

Systems that are already well-optimized may see smaller gains. Older systems or those with many background processes typically see larger improvements.

It depends on your needs, but applying all categories is generally safe.

Recommended approach:

1. Start with one category: Apply CPU optimization first and test
2. Add more gradually: Apply additional categories one at a time
3. Test between each: Restart your system and test games after each category
4. Monitor stability: Watch for crashes or performance degradation

Most users apply all 6 categories without issues. If you experience problems, revert the most recently applied category.

Yes, but with some considerations.

Laptop-specific notes:

• Battery life: Optimizations prioritize performance over battery life. Not recommended when on battery power.
• Thermal throttling: Laptops may throttle CPU/GPU due to heat. Frameshift can't override thermal limits.
• Power plan: CPU optimizations may not work if locked by manufacturer
• Switchable graphics: GPU optimizations may only affect the active GPU (integrated or discrete)

For best results on laptops, ensure you're plugged into AC power and have adequate cooling.

Generally yes, but conflicts may occur.

Compatibility notes:

• MSI Afterburner / EVGA Precision: Compatible - these focus on GPU overclocking
• Process Lasso: May conflict with process priority management
• Razer Cortex / Game Booster: May conflict with service management and memory clearing
• Custom power plans: Compatible, but Frameshift may override some settings

If you use multiple optimization tools, apply Frameshift optimizations last to ensure settings aren't overwritten.

No, Frameshift does not void warranties.

Frameshift only modifies Windows software settings - it does not:

• Overclock your CPU or GPU (voltage/frequency changes)
• Modify BIOS/UEFI settings
• Flash firmware or drivers
• Make any hardware-level changes

All changes are software-based and fully reversible. This is equivalent to manually changing Windows settings, which doesn't affect hardware warranties.

Your game may not be in the database or uses an unrecognized executable.

Solutions:

1. Check if supported: Frameshift supports 100+ popular games, but not all games are included
2. Check executable name: Open Task Manager while the game is running and note the .exe name
3. Add manually: Edit %APPDATA%\Frameshift\gameDatabase.json to add your game
4. Restart Frameshift: After adding a game, restart Frameshift to reload the database

See the Troubleshooting guide for detailed instructions on adding custom games.

Yes, you can disable auto-tuning globally or per-session.

Options:

• Disable globally: Open Settings > Optimization Settings and toggle off "Auto-Tuning"
• Disable Game Mode: Turn off "Game Mode" in settings to prevent automatic optimizations
• Manual control: With auto-tuning off, you can still manually apply optimizations from the Optimizations tab

Currently, per-game auto-tuning configuration is not available, but it's planned for a future update.

No, Frameshift does not trigger anti-cheat bans.

Important clarifications:

• No game modification: Frameshift doesn't inject into games or modify game files
• System-level only: All changes are Windows settings, not game-specific modifications
• Overlay limitation: Some invasive anti-cheat systems (Valorant, FACEIT) block ALL overlays, including Frameshift's overlay
• Safe to use: Frameshift is safe for games with BattlEye, EasyAntiCheat, VAC, and other major anti-cheat systems

If the overlay doesn't work in a specific game, it's due to the game blocking overlays - not a ban or detection issue.

Pro adds advanced features for power users.

Free version includes all core optimization features. Pro is for users who want advanced monitoring and analytics.

Several factors can prevent overlay display.

Troubleshooting checklist:

1. Verify Pro status: Overlay requires Frameshift Pro license
2. Check if enabled: Settings > Overlay > Enable Overlay must be toggled on
3. Anti-cheat blocking: Games with invasive anti-cheat (Valorant, FACEIT) block all overlays
4. Fullscreen mode: Try switching game to borderless windowed instead of exclusive fullscreen
5. Position off-screen: Reset overlay position to default (-420, 20) in settings
6. Admin privileges: Ensure Frameshift is running as administrator

See the Troubleshooting guide for more solutions.

No, the overlay has minimal performance impact.

Performance characteristics:

• CPU overhead: Less than 0.5% CPU usage
• Memory usage: Approximately 10-15 MB RAM
• Frame rate: Negligible FPS impact (typically <1 FPS)
• Native code: Built with C++ for high performance, not web-based
• Independent rendering: Runs on separate thread to avoid blocking game

The overlay is specifically designed for 60+ FPS gaming with no noticeable performance degradation.

FPS monitoring requires an active game or fullscreen application.

Common causes:

• No game running: FPS counter only works when a fullscreen or borderless windowed game is active
• Windowed mode: FPS monitoring may not work in regular windowed mode
• Initialization delay: Wait 2-3 seconds after launching a game for FPS to appear
• DirectX/Vulkan: Some older rendering APIs may not be compatible

FPS monitoring works in the overlay (Pro) and game session analytics for detected games.

Default retention is 30 days with automatic cleanup.

Data retention details:

• System metrics: Stored for 30 days, then automatically deleted
• Game sessions: Kept indefinitely until manually deleted or database cleared
• Cleanup frequency: Database cleanup runs every 24 hours
• Manual deletion: Delete %APPDATA%\Frameshift\analytics.db to clear all data

You can change the retention period in Settings > Analytics > Data Retention Period.

Partial changes are automatically handled on next launch.

Safety mechanisms:

• Restore points: System restore point was created before optimization began
• Change tracking: All successful registry changes are logged
• Partial revert: You can revert the category that was being applied when the crash occurred
• Service restoration: Stopped services are restored on next Frameshift launch

If you experience a crash, simply revert the category you were applying and restart your system. Use System Restore if revert doesn't work.

Yes, Frameshift can be installed on multiple systems.

License details:

• Free version: No restrictions, install on unlimited systems
• Pro version: License terms allow installation on personal computers you own
• No internet check: Frameshift operates offline, no license server validation

Settings and optimizations are per-system and don't sync between computers.

Updates can be automatic or manual.

Update methods:

1. Automatic (recommended): Enable "Auto-Update" in Settings. Frameshift checks for updates every 4 hours (configurable) and notifies you when updates are available.
2. Manual check: Click Settings > Check for Updates to manually trigger an update check
3. Manual download: Download the latest version from the official website and run the installer

Updates preserve all settings and optimizations. You don't need to reapply optimizations after updating.