assign gpu to application

How to set default GPU for apps on Windows 10

If you have a multi-GPU system running Windows 10, you can now manually specify the preferred graphics processor an app should use for performance or to improve battery life.

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On Windows 10 , devices with multiple GPUs can select the preferred graphics card an app should use within the graphics control panels software available from Nvidia and AMD.

However, the Settings app includes a page that lets you select the preferred graphics card for legacy and Microsoft Store apps to improve system performance or battery life.

This guide will teach you the steps to set the GPU an app uses on your Windows 10 laptop or desktop with multiple graphics processors.

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How can I set the default GPU for ALL APPS on Windows 10?

I have an Optimus Laptop (A laptop with both an integrated GPU and a discrete NVIDIA GPU). In Settings -> System -> Display -> Graphics settings you can set if each program uses the power saving integrated GPU, or the high performance discrete GPU.

I leave my laptop plugged in all the time, so I would prefer that all apps use my discrete GPU by default, unless specified otherwise, which is the opposite of the current behavior (if I don't specify, all apps use the integrated GPU).

I saw the answer

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-change-default-graphics-universal-default/b23d0e3b-da70-4227-a015-7d4bb6fe2fe6

which said that I could change the (Default) string for the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectX\UserGpuPreferences registry key. I set it to

and I removed all of the manually picked GPU selections from the settings menu. However, upon a computer restart, I booted up Minecraft to find that the GPU engine being used by Java(TM) Platform SE binary was GPU 0, which is my integrated GPU.

In the past, I could've selected the default GPU used by all applications inside of NVIDIA Control Panel, but now that Windows has taken control of this setting I don't see the option.

I would like to be able to select a default GPU that is used across all apps that do not have a manual entry in the settings menu. How can I do this?

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Replies (3) .

• Microsoft Agent |

Thanks for your post in Microsoft Community.

Hello, I noticed that you set GpuPreference to 2. Do you have multiple discrete graphics cards installed in your computer?

If you only have your own integrated graphics card and a discrete graphics card, this value is usually set to 0/1

The specific GPU number represents the graphics card you can CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to open the Task Manager and click on the Performance tab, the bottom will be GPU0/GPU1 to represent your current graphics card usage number.

If you don't have more than one discrete graphics card and set GPuPreference to 2, it will not be able to call the information of the graphics card represented by this number, and it will automatically return to the integrated graphics card represented by 0.

At the same time, if you are using an NVIDIA graphics card, please go to the NVIDIA graphics control interface and the system's Start - Settings - Games - Game Mode - Graphics Settings, add Java.exe under the Java path to a separate control list, and then set it to a high-performance graphics card.

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,

Edward - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

1 person found this reply helpful

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the answer of Edward is wrong. 0 means: let windows decide, 1 means: use the energy saving internal graphics card, 2: use the high performance card

9 people found this reply helpful

For Windows settings to override the daughtercard and proceed to make me have to select

Is utter madness. Not everyone has a skillset that lets them get into the boot to fix this. Trust me, I do NOT want Windows to default to this Intel POS.. I paid several hundred for that card, and I want to use it. EVERYWHERE. The *only* circumstance for the Intel chip to kick in is if the nVidia card is blown. In which case the default GPU setting is the least of my problems.... M$Windows again makes a horrible call on defaults.

37 people found this reply helpful

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How to Force A program To Use specific GPU in Windows 10

A lot of modern laptops come with two graphics cards, one integrated with the motherboard and the other one with a dedicated GPU. Normally, Windows can automatically select the most appropriate GPU…

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A lot of modern laptops come with two graphics cards, one integrated with the motherboard and the other one with a dedicated GPU. Normally, Windows can automatically select the most…

A lot of modern laptops come with two graphics cards, one integrated with the motherboard and the other one with a dedicated GPU. Normally, Windows can automatically select the most appropriate GPU for all apps.

If you want to force a program to use a specific GPU, you can change Windows settings appropriately. This article will show you two ways you can force a program to use a specific GPU in Windows 10.

Table of contents

What is a GPU?

Why and when should a dedicated gpu be used, how to identify the number of gpus in your computer, force the program to use a specific graphics card using windows 10 settings, force an application to use a dedicated gpu i.e., nvidia, radeon, etc. using the context menu, how do you know if a specific gpu is being used, how do we set the default gpu (system-wide).

A modern Graphical Processing Unit or GPU is similar to CPU but makes use of parallel processing and is able to handle many processes and threads at the same time. GPU has many processing cores while a CPU has only a few.

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Due to its parallel processing, a GPU is normally used for graphics processing and rendering.

GPU should be used for programs and apps that run several threads and processes and require parallel processing.

If an app only requires a single processing core to process its data, running it with a GPU will degrade its performance. This is because CPU cores are more powerful than the GPU cores.

Running apps with a dedicated GPU will also consume more power. If you are on battery life and want to prolong battery usage time, you should consider not using a dedicated GPU for any app.

Here is how you can check if you only have an integrated GPU in your computer, or a dedicated one as well, without opening up the hardware.

• Launch Run by pressing the Windows Key + R shortcut keys.
• Enter dxdiag and click ok .

You can also check the no. of GPUs from the task manager performance tab.

Some of the most common and famous GPU manufacturers are:

Every GPU from these manufacturers come with their own drivers and software-based control panels so that each user can run and customize how their GPU performs.

However, you can still forcefully run an application on a specific GPU on a Windows 10 platform, if it is compatible. Let us continue to see how this can be achieved.

Regardless of the manufacturer of the GPU, or its model, every application can be customized to use a dedicated GPU when run by default.

The application will now run using the selected GPU by default.

You can do this for as many apps as you want.

Each GPU manufacturer has their own control panel to customize the behavior of each individual GPU. This can also be used to run an application using a dedicated GPU through the Context Menu.

The application will now run using the selected GPU. But note that this will not set the GPU to default, and only execute the selection this one time.

Please note that these configuration settings may differ for every manufacturer or graphics card model. If you can’t find this option, look for 3D program settings.

To make sure that a certain application is using a dedicated GPU while the others are using the integrated one, we can check for it using the secondary GPU’s Control Panel.

• Right-click on the blank space on the desktop and select GPU’s Control Panel .

You can also check the GPU activity in the Windows Task Manager performance tab. This will give you an idea which GPU is being used.

If you have a desktop computer, then you can manage your default GPU through the BIOS and set the default GPU to Integrated, PCI or PCI-E .

However, in the case of a laptop, the default GPU cannot be managed through BIOS as it does not have any PCI slots. However, it can be managed through the GPU’s control panel.

• If you have an Nvidia graphics card, open the Nvidia control panel .
• In the left pane, select Manage 3D settings .
• In the right pane, under Global Settings tab, click on the drop-down menu under Preferred Graphics Processor .

If done intelligently, this application specific graphics processor usage option can optimize system performance to the next level.

What applications do you run on your dedicated GPU?

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Subhan Zafar

Subhan Zafar is an established IT professional with interests in Windows and Server infrastructure testing and research, and is currently working with Itechtics as a research consultant. He has studied Electrical Engineering and is also certified by Huawei (HCNA & HCNP Routing and Switching).

You can try my tool “RunWithGPU” which can be found here: https://www.48design.com/en/news/2023/05/16/ai-and-ml-arrived-at-everyday/

It works for NVIDIA cards and with all kinds of software.

Kerry Batdorf

NVIDIA Control Panel Help: NOTE: Beginning with Windows 10 20H1, the Windows OS controls which graphics processer is used, and this option in the NVIDIA Control Panel is no longer available.

Correct. But there seems to be only the possibility under Windows to assign individual programs to a graphics card. Unfortunately, in my Windows 10, the wrong graphics card seems to have “priority” and I can’t find a way to change that globally.

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How-To Geek

How to choose which gpu a game uses on windows 10.

Windows 10 now lets you select which GPU a game or other application uses right from the Settings app.

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How to assign an application to a gpu, how to check which gpu an application is using.

Windows 10 now lets you select which GPU a game or other application uses right from the Settings app. Previously, you had to use manufacturer-specific tools like the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Catalyst Control Center to control this.

This feature was added in Windows 10's April 2018 Update . If you don't see the Graphics Settings option, you haven't installed the update yet.

Related: Everything New in Windows 10's April 2018 Update, Available Now

To assign an application to a GPU, head to Settings > System > Display. Scroll down and click the "Graphics Settings" link.

Select the application you want to configure. To select a game or traditional desktop application with an .exe file, select "Classic app" in the box, click the "Browse" button, and then locate the .exe file on your system. Most applications' .exe files will probably be somewhere in one of your Program Files folders .

If you want to select a new-style Universal app , select "Universal App" in the box, select the application from the list, and then click the "Add" button.  These apps are generally installed from the Microsoft Store and don't have .exe files. They're often called Universal Windows Platform or UWP apps.

Any applications you add appear in a list on the Graphics Settings page. Select the application you've added, and then click the "Options" button.

Select whichever GPU you want. "System default" is the default GPU that's used for all applications, "Power saving" refers to the low-power GPU (typically on board video like Intel Graphics), and "High performance" refers to the high-power GPU (usually a discrete graphics card from someone like AMD or NVIDIA).

The precise GPUs used for each setting are displayed in the window here. If you just have a single GPU in your system, you'll see the same GPU's name under both the "Power saving GPU" and "High performance GPU" options.

Click "Save" when you're done. If the game or application is currently running, you may need to restart it for your changes to take effect.

To check which GPU a game is using, open the Task Manager and enable the "GPU Engine" column on the Processes pane. You'll then see which GPU number an application is using. You can view which GPU is associated with which number from the Performance tab.

Related: How to Monitor GPU Usage in the Windows Task Manager

• PC & Mobile

How to Set a Default Graphics Card

Lee Stanton Lee Stanton is a versatile writer with a concentration on the software landscape, covering both mobile and desktop applications as well as online technologies. Read more January 12, 2022

The extra capacity gained from multiple graphic cards will not only boost your Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) power but will also give your central processor a break by reducing its workload. In Windows 10, you can choose which graphics card should be the default for handling your graphic-intensive apps.

This article will show you the steps needed to make your dedicated graphics card the primary resource for selected apps in Windows 10.

How to Set a Default Graphics Card in Windows 10

Follow these steps to ensure an app uses a particular graphics card in Windows 10:

• Open “Settings.”
• Select “System” then “Display.”
• Beneath the “Multiple displays” section, click on “Graphics settings.”
• If you choose “Classic app,” you’ll need to click the “Browse” button to find the “.exe” file to specify the app.
• If you choose “Microsoft Store app,” a second drop-down menu will appear for you to select the app.
• Once you’ve selected the app from the drop-down menu, click the “Add” button.
• Choose “System default” for Windows to automatically decide which GPU to use.
• Choose “Power saving” to run the app on GPU using the least power, typically the integrated graphics processor. Your separate graphics card is also an option here.
• Choose “High performance” to run the app on the discrete graphics processor (e.g., NVIDIA or Advanced Micro Devices [AMD]).
• Now hit “Save.”
• Repeat Steps 4 through 7 until you have set the apps you want to use with your dedicated graphics card.

How to Set Default Graphics Card in Windows NVIDIA

Here’s how to make your NVIDIA graphics card your default GPU in Windows 10:

• Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select the “NVIDIA Control Panel” option.
• Under “3D Settings,” select “Manage 3D Settings.”
• Select the “Programs Settings” tab, then choose the app you want to select the graphics card for via the pull-down list.
• Choose the “Preferred Graphics Processor” option via the pull-down list.
• To use NVIDIA, click “High-performance NVIDIA processor.”

What Is the Difference Between an Integrated and Dedicated Graphics Card?

The key difference is an integrated graphics card doesn’t have its CPU (Central Processing Unit or “processor”), and instead, it uses the processor it’s attached to and system RAM. A dedicated graphics card has its CPU, known as the GPU, and its RAM (VRAM). A dedicated graphics card can have thousands of cores to perform processing, which vastly improves performance at the expense of significant power, cooling, and budget requirements.

What Are the Disadvantages of Integrated Graphics?

The main drawback of integrated graphics is that when having a CPU and GPU on the same chip, either one or both processors will offer reduced processing power. Integrated graphics systems don’t have nearly the amount of processing power a dedicated graphics card offers. The integrated graphics also siphon some of the system RAM, reducing overall system performance.

How to Enable a Graphics Card

Follow these steps to enable your graphics card:

1. Sign in to your computer as admin and open the “Control Panel.”

2. Select “System,” then choose “Device Manager.”

3. Go through the listed hardware to find your graphics card.

4. Right-click it, then select “Enable.”

5. Exit and save changes if prompted.

Connecting Your Discrete Graphics Card

If you’re running multiple GPUs, Windows allows you to specify your preferred graphics processor a particular app should use to improve graphic performance or battery life. For each app, you can choose whether you want Windows to decide which graphics card should be used or to use the integrated or a dedicated graphics card.

Which dedicated graphics cards did you decide to go for and why? Share your opinions in the comments section below.

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Table of contents

How to choose which gpu will use a game or application on windows 11, how to set default gpu for apps on windows 10.

Windows 11/10 lets you select which GPU will use a game or other application if your computer includes more than one GPU. You can assign a specific GPU to an application on games on Windows 11/10 through the Settings app. This feature was first introduced in Windows 10’s April 2018 Update. Earlier, you had to use manufacturer-specific tools like the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Catalyst Control Center to control this.

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Although Windows 11/10 manages GPU automatically, you can select a specific GPU through the Settings app if an application is not working as desired. In this gearupwindows article, we will guide you to assign a GPU (Graphics card) to the specific application. You can set a particular GPU for traditional desktop programs and UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps.

UWP apps are those apps that are installed from the Microsoft Store and don’t have .exe files.

Follow these steps to choose which GPU will use a Game or Application on Windows 11:-

Step 1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I  keys from the keyboard.

Step 2. Click on the System category from the left sidebar in the Windows Settings.

Step 3. On the right-side pane, select the Display  tab.

Step 4. Click the Graphics  option.

Step 5. You will see here all the installed apps on your computer, including desktop apps and store apps. Click on any app that you want to assign a specific graphics card.

Step 6. Click on the Options  button under the selected app.

Step 7. By default, you will see the “ Let Windows decide ” radio box selected. Pick any GPU (Power saving or High performance) and then click on the Save  button.

That’s it. If you have a single GPU in your system, you’ll see the same GPU’s name under both the “ Power saving ” and “ High performance ” options. Furthermore, if your application is already running, you need to restart it to apply the changes.

If you use a multi-GPU Windows 10 system, you can manually specify the preferred graphics processor for an app to improve performance and battery life. The Windows 10 Settings app includes a page that allows you to select the preferred graphics card for legacy and Microsoft Store apps to improve system performance and battery life. Here is how to do it.

Step 1. First, open the Settings app on your computer by pressing the Windows + I  keys.

Step 2. When Windows Settings opens, click on the System  category.

Step 3. After that, select the Display  tab in the left sidebar.

Step 4. On the right sidebar, scroll down a bit to find the “ Multiple displays ” section and then click the Graphics settings  option.

Step 5. On the “ Graphics settings ” page, select the app type using the drop-down menu “ Choose an app to set preference ”:-

• Desktop app :- Traditional (Win32) desktop programs.
• Microsoft Store app :- Apps installed from Microsoft Store.

If you select the Desktop app option, you’ll need to click the Browse button to locate the “ .exe ” file from your computer. However, if you select the Microsoft Store app option, you’ll see a drop-down menu to choose the app.

Step 6. Once you select an app using the drop-down menu, click the Add  button.

Step 7. After that, click the Options  button.

Step 8. A new pop-up window will appear on the screen when you complete the above steps. Here, you can set the graphics preference you want to use for the app:-

• Let Windows decide — This is the default option, and Windows 10 decides which GPU to use.
• Power saving — When you select this option, Windows runs the app on the GPU with the least power, usually the integrated graphics processor.
• High performance — Using this, Windows will run the app on the most capable GPU, usually an external or discrete graphics processor.

Step 9. Click the Save  button.

After completing the above steps, the app you selected will use the graphics processor you specified to optimize battery life or performance the next time you launch it.

In conclusion, Windows 11/10 allows users to choose which GPU will be used for a game or application if their computer has multiple GPUs. This feature can be accessed through the Settings app and is available for both traditional desktop programs and Universal Windows Platform apps. Previously, users had to rely on manufacturer-specific tools like the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Catalyst Control Center to manage GPU usage. By manually specifying the preferred graphics processor for an app, users can improve system performance and battery life. Overall, this feature offers greater flexibility and control over GPU usage on Windows systems.

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How to force an app to use the discrete GPU in Windows 11

If your games or apps are running more slowly than you'd expect, you may need to force Windows 11 to run it using the discrete GPU. Here's how.

These days, many of the best laptops , particularly gaming laptops or those aimed at content creators , come with two GPUs inside. It's a bit of a technicality, but laptop processors, such as those from AMD or Intel, always have an integrated GPU that's used for basic display output and rendering on basically every laptop. Gaming laptops may also have discrete GPUs from Nvidia or AMD, but the integrated GPU is still there.

A discrete GPU is much more powerful, though, so it may sometimes be beneficial to run a specific app using the discrete GPU. This usually happens automatically, but if you're having trouble and apps are running slower than expected, you can force Windows 11 to run a specific app using a discrete GPU. In this guide, we'll show you how to do just that.

How to force an app to run using a discrete (high-performance) GPU

Forcing an app to run on a discrete high-performance GPU can be done easily through the Windows 11 Settings app. Nvidia also offers this option through the Nvidia Control Panel, but using the Settings app makes things a bit more unified and easier. Here's what you need to do:

• Open the Settings app (it should be in your Start menu).
• In the System section (which opens by default) choose Display .
• A few apps are already listed. To change the GPU settings for a listed app, skip to step 7.
• For desktop apps, navigate to the folder where the game or program is stored. For Microsoft Store apps, you'll see a list of all the apps installed on your PC. Choose the app you want to add.
• Click Save .

You can repeat this process for any app you want to run using the discrete GPU, or you can also force an app to run using the power-saving GPU if you don't need that much performance and you want to save battery. This option can even be useful in some desktop PCs if they have two or more GPUs. It's unlikely, but the option is always there.

Microsoft is also currently testing the ability to change what GPU is labeled as "power saving" or "high performance", so you'll soon have even more control over these options. This is one of the many Windows 11 features currently in preview , which should be available in the near future.