So my IT buddy had me do some testing. With and without internet connection, after a PC Win 10 reboot (each test), if I turned off Windows Defender I could get 10ish second startups from a fresh PC boot. But turn Defender back on and it took the minute crap again. There is a setting in Defender that can exclude a service or folder, etc. and I might find time to play with that later, but thought I’d throw that info out there.
If you want to try turning off Defender specifically for Snapmaker Orca to see if it helps you like it did for me, here’s a link to do it correctly with appropriate warnings: https://windowsloop.com/how-to-exclude-apps-programs-in-windows-defender/
Antivirus monitoring folder exclusion, while can reduce file loading times in this instance and instances where an excessive number of small files are concurrently loaded, from a security perspective should be considered to be used with insight and as a means of last resort or not at all.
no code base change (interim solution)
- preload files before executable loads; works 100% of the time
- defender or AV folder exculstion; may not work on all systems; security vunerability
code base change
- single file blob/database of all required files
- configuration routine for end user to select what profiles to load and what not to load (if staying with multiple files to load)
- better file loading routines to prevent hangs and timeouts
In my opinion, a database is the best option.
(task scheduler entry removed)
Window’s memory management systems purges these files after a period of non-use.
Just run the Snapmaker Orca, lets it load and hang, close it, then re-run the program and you will have access to your printer (the first time the printer will not populate due to a time out)
Doesn’t that just extend the start-up time of the PC? whether one plans on running Orca or not?
The task scheduler entry preloads the data into memory; one can still use the computer.
It is for those who use Snapmaker Orca on a frequent basis and do not want to use the alternative method below.
For those who do not want to use the task scheduler entry.
Run Snapmaker Orca, let it hang (while it loads the data), exit the program, then rerun Snapmaker Orca to have your printer available.
The problem is that the trove of file loading causes the network routine to time out and that is why your printer is not found on first run yet is found on subsequent runs.
I totally understand, but it’s obvious that something else is at play that involves the POS Defender and Snorca that doesn’t occur in any other variant/printer combo. And for reference, my IT friend is pretty high up the chain of the Security team with Anthem and does understand the ramifications of process changes and noted that Win10 has it as a “preset” option that is fairly commonly used. Anyway, I was just offering an insight for the more technical minded that can do with it at will. Regards.
I am going to revisit this solution.
configuration routine for end user to select what profiles to load and what not to load (if staying with multiple files to load)
except instead, just get the end user to do it themselves
the profile folder is a list of profiles for different printers; move the unwanted/unused profiles to a different folder (the main folder is named “profiles” and the unused folder at the same level I named “profiles_archive”.
for example the folder “Anker” and file “Anker.json” are moved to the “profiles_archive” folder and subsequently will not be loaded; repeat with the other profiles you do not want/need
this effectively eliminates the unnecessary excessive file loading all together
I love this research. Though I have moved everything except the Snapmaker folder and the Snapmaker.json but now SnOrca won’t open anymore.
Can it be that this is due to the files still being loaded in the memory somehow?
Edit:
Figured it out, you need to leave a couple of folders for it to work. I believe these are the ones:
my apologies for not mentioning that there were a few items that were required or non paired items (the non paired items were retained)
my listing is as follows:
Directory of C:\Program Files\Snapmaker_Orca\resources\profiles
05/20/2026 08:50 AM .
05/18/2026 07:09 PM ..
04/14/2026 07:13 AM 198 blacklist.json
04/14/2026 07:13 AM 1,575 check_unused_setting_id.py
04/14/2026 07:13 AM 124,684 hotend.stl
04/23/2026 11:25 PM <directory> OrcaFilamentLibrary
04/14/2026 07:13 AM 264 OrcaFilamentLibrary.json
04/23/2026 11:25 PM <directory> Snapmaker
04/14/2026 07:13 AM 63,967 Snapmaker.json
the OrcaFiliamentLibrary contains additional filaments that *looks* like you could import into the Snapmaker profile
and of course if you use SnapMaker Orca for any other printers, just move the respective folder/.json pair back to the profiles directory
example:
Anker(folder) , Anker.json