Getting Highguard running smoothly on your PC requires more than just meeting the minimum specs. You'll want to optimize both your in-game settings and Windows configuration to squeeze out every frame possible in this fast-paced raid shooter. Here's the thing: many players jump straight into matches without tweaking crucial settings, then wonder why their performance feels sluggish during intense firefights.
What Are the Essential PC Requirements?
Before diving into optimization, you need to verify your system meets Highguard's baseline requirements. The game demands Windows 10 64-bit minimum, though Windows 11 provides better compatibility with the required security features.
Your CPU should be at least an Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, while GPU requirements start at Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB or AMD RX 580 8GB. You'll also need 8GB RAM minimum, though 12GB is recommended for smoother performance.
What most players miss is the storage requirement. Highguard demands an SSD with 25GB available space, and trust me, running this game on a traditional hard drive creates noticeable loading delays and texture pop-in issues.
Important
Highguard requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled. These security features work alongside Easy Anti-Cheat to prevent cheating, and the game won't launch without them.How to Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
The security requirements catch many players off guard, especially those on older systems or custom builds. You'll want to check your current status before attempting any changes.
Checking Your Secure Boot Status
Hit Windows + R to open Run, then type msinfo32 and press Enter. Look for Secure Boot State under System Summary. If it reads "On," you're good to go. If it shows "Off" or "Unsupported," you'll need to enable it through your BIOS.
Verifying TPM 2.0
Press Windows + R again, type tpm.msc, and hit Enter. The TPM Management window shows your status under the Status section. You're looking for "The TPM is ready to use."
Enabling Both Features in BIOS
Here's where things get technical. Restart your PC and repeatedly press Delete, F2, or F10 (depending on your motherboard manufacturer) during boot to enter BIOS/UEFI settings.
Navigate to the Security or Boot section. Look for options labeled:
- Secure Boot (enable this)
- TPM Device or fTPM (enable this)
- UEFI Boot Mode (must be enabled for Secure Boot)
Warning
Changing from Legacy to UEFI boot mode can prevent Windows from starting. Back up important data before making BIOS changes, and consult your motherboard manual for specific instructions.
After enabling these features, save changes and exit BIOS. Windows should boot normally with enhanced security active.
BIOS Secure Boot settings
Windows Settings
Windows runs plenty of background processes that compete for system resources. Optimizing these settings frees up power for Highguard.
Power Plan Optimization
Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and hit Enter. Select High Performance or Ultimate Performance if available. These modes prioritize performance over energy savings, crucial for maintaining consistent frame rates during extended sessions.
Disable Game Bar and Captures
Navigate to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and toggle it off. This Microsoft feature consumes resources for recording and screenshots, which you don't need if you're using third-party tools or just playing.
Similarly, head to Settings > Gaming > Captures and disable background recording. These features run constantly, eating CPU cycles that could go toward higher frame rates.
Enable Game Mode
Contrary to the previous settings, you actually want Game Mode enabled. Find it at Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and toggle it on. This Windows feature optimizes system resources for gaming, prioritizing your game over background tasks.
In-Game Graphics Settings
Highguard's graphics settings directly impact your frame rate and visual clarity. Pro tip: competitive advantage often comes from lower settings that maximize visibility and responsiveness rather than maxing everything out.
Priority Settings for Competitive Play
Start with these baseline configurations:
- Display Mode: Fullscreen (not borderless)
- Resolution: Native resolution for clarity
- V-Sync: Off (reduces input lag)
- Frame Rate Limit: Uncapped or 300fps
- Anti-Aliasing: Low or Medium
- Texture Quality: Medium (High if you have VRAM headroom)
- Shadow Quality: Low
- Effects Quality: Low to Medium
- Post-Processing: Low
Shadow and effects quality hit performance hardest while providing minimal competitive benefit. You'll want to prioritize frame consistency over visual fidelity in firefights.
Tip
Test settings in Practice mode before jumping into ranked matches. Frame drops during crucial moments cost games.
Monitor Your Performance
Enable the in-game FPS counter to track performance changes as you adjust settings. You're aiming for frame rates that consistently exceed your monitor's refresh rate. If you have a 144Hz monitor, target 200+ FPS for smooth gameplay with headroom during intense scenes.
Task Manager Tweaks to Improve FPS
Windows Task Manager offers powerful optimization options that many players overlook. These changes tell Windows to prioritize Highguard over other processes.
Setting Process Priority
Launch Highguard, then press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Navigate to the Details tab and locate all processes starting with "Highguard" or the game's executable name.
Right-click each Highguard process, hover over Set Priority, and select High or Realtime. Realtime priority gives absolute preference to the game but can cause system instability if other critical processes need resources.
Warning
Setting priority to Realtime may cause Windows to become unresponsive if Highguard demands too many resources. High priority is safer for most systems.
Managing Startup Programs
Still in Task Manager, click the Startup tab. Disable automatic startup for non-essential programs like:
- Web browsers
- Chat applications (unless you use them for team communication)
- Update managers
- Cloud storage sync tools
These applications consume RAM and CPU cycles in the background. You can always launch them manually when needed.
Adjusting NVIDIA or AMD Settings
Your GPU control panel offers additional optimization beyond in-game settings. These tweaks reduce input lag and improve frame consistency.
NVIDIA Control Panel Settings
Right-click your desktop and open NVIDIA Control Panel. Navigate to Manage 3D Settings and adjust these options for Highguard:
- Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance
- Texture Filtering - Quality: Performance
- Threaded Optimization: On
- Vertical Sync: Off
- Low Latency Mode: Ultra (if available)
AMD Radeon Settings
Open AMD Software from your system tray. Under Gaming > Global Graphics, configure:
- Anti-Lag: Enabled
- Radeon Boost: Enabled
- Radeon Image Sharpening: Optional (slight FPS cost)
- Wait for Vertical Refresh: Always Off
- Texture Filtering Quality: Performance
Both manufacturers' software allows per-game profiles. Create one specifically for Highguard to avoid affecting other applications.
What About Network Optimization?
Highguard demands a stable broadband connection. Network issues manifest as rubber-banding, delayed hit registration, and disconnections during critical moments.
Router Configuration
Access your router settings (typically at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and enable QoS (Quality of Service) if available. Prioritize gaming traffic over streaming and downloads.
Consider using a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. Wired connections provide consistent latency and eliminate wireless interference that causes packet loss.
Close Bandwidth-Heavy Applications
Before launching Highguard, close:
- Streaming services (Netflix, YouTube)
- Torrent clients
- Cloud backup services
- Browser tabs with auto-playing media
These applications compete for bandwidth, increasing your ping and causing lag spikes.
Common Performance Issues and Solutions
Even with optimal settings, you might encounter specific problems. Here are the most frequent issues and their fixes:
Stuttering despite high FPS: Update your GPU drivers and disable Windows Game DVR completely through registry edits if the standard method doesn't work.
Frame drops during abilities: Lower effects quality further and ensure your GPU isn't thermal throttling. Check temperatures using monitoring software.
Input lag: Disable V-Sync everywhere (in-game and GPU control panel), ensure Game Mode is active, and verify your mouse polling rate isn't set too high (1000Hz is optimal for most systems).
Crashes on startup: Verify Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are properly enabled. Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat through the game's installation folder.
Tip
Keep your GPU drivers updated through official channels (NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Software). Driver updates often include game-specific optimizations for new releases.
The key here is systematic testing. Change one setting at a time, play a few matches, and monitor performance before adjusting another variable. This methodical approach identifies exactly which settings impact your specific hardware configuration.
With these optimizations in place, you'll experience Highguard at its smoothest, giving you the competitive edge needed in this demanding raid shooter. Your hardware works hard enough already without Windows and poor settings holding it back.