DESKTOPMATE

Performance / community project

Disable Shadows

Disable Shadows is a tiny MelonLoader mod that turns off shadows cast by the active avatar. Its goal is lower rendering cost, but the author published no benchmark and current-version compatibility is unverified.

Download legacy release Original repository

Independent fan resource. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by infiniteloop Co., Ltd., Valve/Steam, or any character rights holder.

Desktop Mate character rendered on the Windows desktop.
Official Desktop Mate product screenshot for visual context; the author did not publish a mod preview.Official product context, not a mod preview
Legacy

Legacy performance mod

Built for an older Desktop Mate or loader version. Verify compatibility before using it.

Version
1.0.0
Author
SilverMoonDev
Platform
Windows
Loader
MelonLoader
License
MIT
Published

WHAT IT DOES

Disable Shadows features

Desktop Mate's own Steam requirements note that performance needs rise with character count and settings. Removing an avatar shadow can reduce a small amount of GPU work, especially on integrated graphics, but it will not fix every source of stutter or high CPU usage. This page therefore describes the mod's narrow change without promising a specific frame-rate increase.

  • Disables the shadow cast by the avatar.
  • Uses a single small MelonLoader DLL.
  • Can be removed without changing official game assets.
  • Targets users prioritizing lower visual cost over grounded lighting.
Desktop Mate character rendered on the Windows desktop.
Official Desktop Mate product screenshot for visual context; the author did not publish a mod preview.

REQUIREMENTS

Check the stack before installing

  • Platform: Windows
  • Loader or runtime: MelonLoader
  • Release: 1.0.0
  • License: MIT
  • File: DisableShadows.dll (6 KB)

How to install Disable Shadows

  1. Record current Desktop Mate performance before changing anything.
  2. Install the compatible MelonLoader environment for your legacy build.
  3. Download DisableShadows.dll from the author's GitHub release.
  4. Place the DLL in Desktop Mate's Mods folder and relaunch.
  5. Compare GPU usage and responsiveness under the same character count and settings.

How to use it

  • The effect is automatic after the mod loads.
  • Use the same desktop background and companion position for a fair before/after comparison.
  • If no improvement is measurable, remove the DLL instead of stacking more performance mods.

Desktop Mate compatibility

The only release dates to January 2025. It may fail to load against newer Desktop Mate assemblies. The official app now provides its own evolving settings, which should be tried before legacy injection mods.

Official Desktop Mate screenshot showing a character interacting with a desktop window.
Official product context: app updates can change the window and character behavior that mods depend on.

How to remove the mod

Close Desktop Mate and delete DisableShadows.dll from the Mods folder. No model files should need restoration; verify Steam files if rendering remains abnormal.

Troubleshooting

  • Shadow remains: confirm the DLL loaded in MelonLoader and test with a character that normally casts a visible shadow.
  • App fails to start: remove the DLL and compare against a clean launch.
  • No performance change: the bottleneck may be CPU, animation, multiple characters, or another overlay rather than shadows.

Disable Shadows FAQ

Will Disable Shadows increase FPS?

It may reduce a small amount of GPU work, but the author provides no benchmark and the result depends on your hardware and settings.

Does it change character files?

The published description indicates a runtime shadow change, not a redistributed model.

Is there a real mod screenshot?

No author preview was found. The image on this page is clearly labeled official product context.

Sources and verification

Page checked against the linked project material on 2026-07-22. Compatibility can change after Desktop Mate, MelonLoader, BepInEx, or the mod updates.

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MateChat banner supplied by the mod author.
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