This is a thread for Norton users who are using a version of Windows that supports the ReadyBoost feature (Windows Vista or newer).
I’m interested in hearing from other users about their experience with using Norton security products in conjunction with the Windows ReadyBoost feature.
To get some background information on how the Windows ReadyBoost feature works and on how to enable it, then please read the following articles:
1: Take a closer look at ReadyBoost features in Windows 7
2: Keep tabs on ReadyBoost with Windows 7's Performance Monitor
Testing the Norton Internet Security (NIS) 2012 Quick Scan feature on a laptop with Windows 7 32bit, 2GB of RAM and ReadyBoost enabled on a 4GB USB key yielded the following results:
| Quick Scan Run Time | |||
| Quick Scan Type | No ReadyBoost | With ReadyBoost | Difference |
| Custom Run 1 | 3:28 | 2:13 | 1:15 |
| Custom Run 2 | 3:14 | 2:17 | 0:57 |
| Custom Run 3 | 3:13 | 2:11 | 1:02 |
| Normal Quick Scan * | - | 1:38 | - |
| Idle Quick Scan | - | 1:57 | - |
* Executed immediately after Custom Run 3
Custom Run * = the run number of a Quick Scan run under a 'Full Scan' Performance Profile.
Quick Scan detailed results:
| Date & Time | Scan Time (d:h:m:s) | Total items scanned | Trusted Files | Skipped Files | ReadyBoost Enabled |
| 22/01/2013 08:49 | 0:00:03:28 | 9,008 | 0 | 0 | No |
| 22/01/2013 08:58 | 0:00:02:13 | 8,984 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 22/01/2013 09:02 | 0:00:03:14 | 8,929 | 0 | 0 | No |
| 22/01/2013 09:11 | 0:00:02:17 | 8,904 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 22/01/2013 09:16 | 0:00:03:13 | 8,889 | 0 | 0 | No |
| 22/01/2013 09:24 | 0:00:02:11 | 8,871 | 0 | 0 | Yes |
| 22/01/2013 09:29 | 0:00:01:38 | 8,857 | 981 | 138 | Yes |
| 22/01/2013 12:13 | 0:00:01:57 | 7,121 | 870 | 0 | Yes |
Based on the above, having ReadyBoost enabled can make a substantial difference in terms of the time it takes to complete a Quick Scan. I’m also seeing a favourable improvement in the Quick Scan completion times with NIS 2013 under a Windows 7 32bit Desktop with 3GB RAM, a 7200 RPM hard drive and a 4GB ReadyBoost cache; sub 2 minutes rather than closer to 3 minutes or above.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to hearing feedback from those interested in testing how the Norton Quick Scan times improve if the Windows ReadyBoost feature is enabled under their current Norton security product and hardware setup. As always, please include the relevant details concerning your before and after scan times, your system’s hardware, Operating System and Norton software when responding.
Please ask if you would like me to provide some further instructions on how to reproduce the test results provided above.
Thanks