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How to use the Settings on the Shadow PC launcher

Updated 

8 days ago

Although Shadow PC automates much of the setup process, we recommend looking through the settings for any modifications you may need. To modify your settings, open the Shadow PC launcher, then click Settings .

In the Settings, you'll see several categories in the navigation menu to the left, which will be covered in this article.

Note: Some settings in this article vary depending on your device's operating system and the launcher version. This article covers the launcher settings available on most Shadow PC apps.

Launcher settings

Settings that impact the Shadow PC launcher and Quick Menu.

Have Shadow and Windows shut down whenever you close the application window.
If this setting is turned off, Windows will continue to run, but will automatically shut down if your session is idle.

This setting changes the Shadow PC launcher language.

To change the language of the Windows operating system on Shadow PC, see instructions from Microsoft:

Enable Quick Menu

When enabled, this setting allows you to access the Quick Menu when Shadow PC is started. This setting should be disabled on low-end configurations.

Reset settings

Clicking the "Reset" button restores all of the settings in the Shadow PC launcher back to the standard configuration.

Change how Shadow PC starts the stream and control the streaming quality. For help configuring the resolution, use the automatic resolution in the Quick Menu or set a custom resolution .

Choose whether Shadow should stream in full screen or windowed mode after you click Start.

High Efficiency Video Coding (H.265)

A video compression standard designed to deliver higher-quality videos with a reduced file size. If Shadow PC is slow or refuses to start, try turning on H.265. Learn more about High Efficiency Video Coding (H.265).

Color Enhancement (4:4:4)

Have Shadow stream more colors using 4:4:4 technology. Learm more about color enhancement.

Limited frame rate

Allows you to lower the maximum frame rate allowed to stream.
This setting can be helpful on low-end configurations, but it may not solve issues caused by slow or unstable internet connections. You can choose from unlimited, 60, or 50 frames per second.

Audio quality

This setting is set to "Regular" by default, but you can change this setting to "High" for lossless sound quality. High quality audio requires more bandwidth. Switch back to "Regular" if you notice latency, stuttering, or audio degredation.

Learn more about the audio quality setting.

Connect your game controllers and USB devices to Shadow PC.

Lists the controllers Shadow PC has detected. Also includes an option to enable "Gamepad as mouse". Learn more about connecting a controller.

Use my USB devices on my Shadow

Install or uninstall drivers to use USB devices on Shadow PC as if they were physically connected. Installing drivers helps Shadow PC support more functions with USB forwarding.

Uninstall and reinstall the drivers if your USB devices are malfunctioning or missing on Shadow PC.

Note: USB forwarding is available after the drivers have been installed. ​

​Adjust network settings.

Your bit rate is the maximum amount of data that can be transferred using your internet connection. By default, Shadow PC's maximum bit rate is set to "Auto detect". You can restart auto-detection if you want Shadow PC to automatically adjust this setting or choose a "Custom" bit rate.

Adjusting your bit rate is a best practice for improving latency.

Streaming preferences

This setting allows you to switch between two streaming protocols:

  • Prefer speed (UDP)

  • Prefer reliability (TCP)

Adjusting your streaming preferences is a best practice for improving latency.

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Launch Shadow on IPV4 connection​

If your home internet shares an IPV4 address, it may have trouble resolving IPV6 Internet Protocol addresses. When enabled, this setting will force Shadow PC to use IPV4.

IPV4 is sometimes inferior to IPV6, and as such, this feature is disabled every time you start Shadow PC.

Still have questions after reading this article?

Check out our other articles or contact Shadow Support.

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