SetTimerService

SetTimerService is a tiny Windows NT4/2000/XP compatible service intended to fix distorted sound in VMWare guests. This is done by setting the kernel timer resolution early during the bootup process.

Installation:

Copy the SetTimerService.exe binary to a permanent location (e.g. C:\Windows\System32)

In Windows command prompt change directory to the location where the binary is located.

"SetTimerService /install" - install SetTimerService

Uninstall:

"SetTimerService /uninstall" - uninstall SetTimerService

install_xp.cmd - adds SetTimerService as a dependency for Windows sound system, should prevent possible races at startup.

Tuning: Registry values are located at HKLM:SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SetTimerService\Parameters

TimerResolution: Dword - Desired timer resolution in 100 ns quanta.

Note: Timer setting only works with native VMWare virtualization interface as opposed to Hyper-V based one enabled by default in the latest Windows versions. Virtualization-based security/Device Guard and Hyper-V effectively inhibit the underlying API this program uses (along with paravirtualization features). There are multiple guides on the internet on OS configuration for getting the HW virtualization available to the programs.