I'm having a weird problem using LTspice on my work computer lately.

TLDR version:
How can I make LTspice run on Windows 10 without ANY reliance on user document folders?

Full version:
The underlying problem seems to be the fact that I'm working remotely on a domain server, where technically all of my Windows user folders (documents, pictures, desktop, etc) live on our server at work and the local copies on the hard drive inside my laptop are treated as sync'd backup copies to be used only when the server connection is down. Working remotely through VPN on these folders seems to be slow in all programs, but especially so for LTspice, which often freezes and hangs up even doing simple things like opening the file menu.

If I disconnect from the internet completely, Windows seems to give up on the server files and work directly from the local copies, at which point everything, including LTspice, runs great. However, if I'm connected to the internet (even without the VPN connection active) then Windows seems to waste time searching for the server copies every time I do anything.

Again, I realize that this is a Windows and networking issue at its core, but all of my other programs work ok in spite of this, only suffering minor delays when opening and saving files. LTspice hangs up for 5-10 seconds at a time for tons of minor operations, making it excruciating to use. I'd love to abandon the domain server setup entirely, but it's corporate policy and I have no choice. If I could simply make LTspice ignore the documents folder (and any other user folders that would reside on the remote server,) I'm 99% sure my problems would be solved. I could work in a local folder and just manually backup to server as needed. Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to break the connection to the user documents folder. I know I can add *additional* paths in the Sym. & Lib. Search Paths tab of the Control Panel, but I don't just want more paths - I want to completely eliminate the user documents path. I've tried searching online for answers, but all I ever find is how to add paths, not how to change them. Any ideas?

P.S. I did already change the directory for temporary files, which made a huge improvement in the run time for simulations, but I still have the problems with basic operations. Just editing a schematic is a nightmare right now, unless I physically unplug, which interferes with all my other work.

 

This question might be better directed to the LTSpice group on groups.io, but with M.E. no longer at the helm at ADI, understanding the problem will only be part of it. Doing something about it may be a hill too high to climb.

 

I'm having a weird problem using LTspice on my work computer lately.

TLDR version:
How can I make LTspice run on Windows 10 without ANY reliance on user document folders?

Full version:
The underlying problem seems to be the fact that I'm working remotely on a domain server, where technically all of my Windows user folders (documents, pictures, desktop, etc) live on our server at work and the local copies on the hard drive inside my laptop are treated as sync'd backup copies to be used only when the server connection is down. Working remotely through VPN on these folders seems to be slow in all programs, but especially so for LTspice, which often freezes and hangs up even doing simple things like opening the file menu.

If I disconnect from the internet completely, Windows seems to give up on the server files and work directly from the local copies, at which point everything, including LTspice, runs great. However, if I'm connected to the internet (even without the VPN connection active) then Windows seems to waste time searching for the server copies every time I do anything.

Again, I realize that this is a Windows and networking issue at its core, but all of my other programs work ok in spite of this, only suffering minor delays when opening and saving files. LTspice hangs up for 5-10 seconds at a time for tons of minor operations, making it excruciating to use. I'd love to abandon the domain server setup entirely, but it's corporate policy and I have no choice. If I could simply make LTspice ignore the documents folder (and any other user folders that would reside on the remote server,) I'm 99% sure my problems would be solved. I could work in a local folder and just manually backup to server as needed. Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to break the connection to the user documents folder. I know I can add *additional* paths in the Sym. & Lib. Search Paths tab of the Control Panel, but I don't just want more paths - I want to completely eliminate the user documents path. I've tried searching online for answers, but all I ever find is how to add paths, not how to change them. Any ideas?

P.S. I did already change the directory for temporary files, which made a huge improvement in the run time for simulations, but I still have the problems with basic operations. Just editing a schematic is a nightmare right now, unless I physically unplug, which interferes with all my other work.

1. Usually the biggest files LTspice creates are “.raw”files. I’ve seen them Gb in size. There is a directory setting for these. Look in the Control Panel “Waveforms” tab. Select a local folder to store these files.

2. There are ways of handling this in an AD domain environment. The "home" environment doesn't HAVE to be redirected for everyone. If you explain to your manager that the current setup is serverly impacting your productivity and why, the IT administrators may be forced to do something about it.
After all, part of their job is improve productivity through use of IT technology.

Good luck