Documentation / Getting Started

Getting Started with Frameshift

Install, configure, and optimize your system in minutes. This guide will walk you through everything you need to get started.

System Requirements

Before installing Frameshift, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

Component Minimum Recommended
Operating System Windows 10 (Build 1903+) Windows 11
RAM 4 GB 8 GB+
Storage 50 MB free 200 MB free
Permissions Administrator access required
Administrator Access Required
Frameshift requires administrator privileges to modify system settings and registry values. You will be prompted for admin access when applying optimizations.

Installation

Installing Frameshift is quick and straightforward. Follow these steps:

  1. Download the Installer

    Download the latest version of Frameshift from the official website. The installer is approximately 122 MB.

  2. Run the Installer

    Locate the downloaded Frameshift-Setup.exe file and double-click to run it. Windows may show a security warning - click "Run anyway" or "More info" then "Run anyway" to proceed.

  3. Complete Installation

    The installer will automatically install Frameshift to your system. No configuration is needed during installation - just click through the prompts.

  4. Launch Frameshift

    Once installed, Frameshift will launch automatically. You can also find it in your Start Menu or desktop shortcut.

Learn More: Installation Locations and Files

Frameshift installs to the following default locations:

  • Program Files: C:\Program Files\Frameshift\
  • User Data: %APPDATA%\Frameshift\
  • Settings: Stored in Windows Registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Frameshift

The application uses approximately 40-50 MB of disk space including all dependencies.

First Launch Tutorial

When you first launch Frameshift, an interactive tutorial will guide you through the main features. This tutorial is optional but highly recommended for new users.

Tutorial walkthrough showing the first step highlighting the dashboard
The interactive tutorial highlights key features and explains their purpose

The tutorial covers:

  • Dashboard overview and real-time metrics
  • How to apply system optimizations
  • Creating a system restore point
  • Understanding performance graphs
  • Accessing settings and preferences
Restart Tutorial
To restart the tutorial later, go to Settings and click "Restart Tutorial" at the bottom of the settings panel.

Quick Start: Your First Optimization

Ready to see improvements? Follow these steps to apply your first optimization:

  1. Automatic Restore Point Creation

    Before applying any optimization category for the first time, Frameshift automatically creates a system restore point. This happens in the background and allows you to undo all changes if needed. No action required from you.

  2. Choose an Optimization Category

    Click the "Optimizations" tab in the main dashboard. You'll see 6 categories: Network, GPU, CPU, Storage, Memory, and System. For beginners, we recommend starting with CPU Optimization.

  3. Review What Will Change

    Click on the CPU category to see detailed information about what settings will be modified. Frameshift shows expected performance improvements and all registry changes before applying them.

  4. Apply the Optimization

    Click the "Apply" button. The optimization process takes 5-10 seconds. You'll see real-time console output showing each change being applied.

  5. Restart (If Required)

    Some optimizations require a system restart to take full effect. Frameshift will notify you if a restart is needed. You can restart immediately or later.

All 6 optimization categories with Apply/Revert buttons
The optimization panel showing all available categories and their status
Optimization Applied Successfully
After applying optimizations, restart your system and test your favorite game or application. Most users notice immediate improvements in frame rates and responsiveness.

Understanding the Dashboard

The Frameshift dashboard provides real-time system monitoring and quick access to all features. Here's what each section does:

Full dashboard view showing CPU/GPU/RAM metrics, performance graph, and system info header
The main Frameshift dashboard with all monitoring features visible

System Header

Displays your computer name, CPU model, GPU name, total RAM, and storage information. Also shows current time and date.

Metric Cards

Three large cards show real-time CPU, GPU, and RAM usage with temperatures and additional details. Updates every 250ms for smooth, accurate monitoring.

Performance Graph

Interactive graph showing performance history over time. Switch between Performance (all metrics), CPU only, GPU only, or RAM only views.

Process Monitor

Lists top CPU and memory-consuming processes with the ability to end processes or change priority.

Next Steps

Now that you've completed the basic setup, here are some recommended next steps:

Advanced: Command-Line Arguments

Frameshift supports the following command-line arguments for advanced users:

  • --hidden - Start minimized to system tray
  • --no-tutorial - Skip the tutorial on first launch
  • --benchmark - Automatically start benchmarks on launch

Example: "C:\Program Files\Frameshift\Frameshift.exe" --hidden

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