Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Tech News Today
Home»Windows»How To Set CPU Priority To Prefer Foreground Apps In Windows

How To Set CPU Priority To Prefer Foreground Apps In Windows

Abhishek SilwalBy Abhishek SilwalDecember 10, 2022
how-to-set-cpu-priority-to-prefer-foreground-apps

Your operating system runs several processes in the background along with the foreground apps. However, it does not allocate equal resources like CPU time and memory to all processes.

By default, Windows gives slight priority to foreground activities. But, you may have unknowingly changed your setting to provide equal importance. Or you simply want to prioritize foreground apps even more.

Using System Properties is the quickest way to set CPU priority to prioritize foreground apps. Here’s how you can do so:

  1. Open the Run command (Win + R) and enter systempropertiesadvanced. It will direct you to the Advanced tab of System Properties.
  2. Under Performance, click on Settings.
  3. Go to the Advanced tab.
  4. Check Programs and hit Ok.
    performance-system-properties

However, this method still does not bring foreground apps to the highest priority. You’ll need to execute the next method for this purpose.

Table of Contents

  • How to Set CPU Priority to Prefer Foreground Apps Through Registry Editor
  • How to Set Priority of Specific Process Using Task Manager
  • How to Set CPU Priority to Prefer Foreground Apps With Command Prompt
    • Does Setting CPU Priority to Prefer Foreground Apps Improve Performance?
    • Can’t change priority in Task Manager.

How to Set CPU Priority to Prefer Foreground Apps Through Registry Editor

You can also change the CPU priority using the Registry Editor. This method offers more options compared to the above.

You need to alter the DWORD value Win32PrioritySeparation to define the relative priority of foreground and background apps. To do so,

  1. Enter regedit on the Run command.
  2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl
  3. Double-click on Win32PrioritySeparation.
  4. Set its value to 26 on Hexadecimal base or 38 on Decimal.
    win32-priorityseparation

How to Set Priority of Specific Process Using Task Manager

This method is more tiresome than previous ones if you want to set priority for multiple apps. However, you can prioritize individual apps instead of all the foreground or background apps at once. Follow the steps below to change priority using the Task Manager:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to load the Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Details tab and look for the apps.
  3. Right-click on the process and hover over Set Priority.
  4. Choose High or Above Normal.
    task-manager-set-priority

Do this for all the processes you want and close the Task Manager.

How to Set CPU Priority to Prefer Foreground Apps With Command Prompt

You can also use the Command-line interface to set the priority for individual processes. However, since you need to know the name of the process, using the GUI might be more convenient. 

Regardless, if you want to use the CLI,

  1. Launch the Run dialog box and enter cmd to open the Command Prompt.
  2. Type wmic process where name=”Process Name” call setpriority “Priority Level” and press Enter.
    wmic-set-priority

Make sure to replace “Process Name” with the full name of the process along with its extension and “Priority Level” to the priority you want, in this case, “High” or “AboveNormal” without removing the quote symbols.

As an example, wmic process where name=”vlc.exe” call setpriority “High”

Does Setting CPU Priority to Prefer Foreground Apps Improve Performance?

Enabling high priority for foreground apps will improve performance in many cases. But some apps are known to use several background apps. Apps that use the internet or simulators are some examples. In such cases, preferring foreground apps will instead affect app performance.

Nevertheless, if you are running apps as a standalone process, feel free to increase their priority.

Can’t change priority in Task Manager.

You should be able to change app priority in Task Manager if you’re logged in as an administrator. If you still can’t, you likely don’t have full control of the process. To fix this,

  1. Right-click on the process in Task Manager and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Security tab and click Edit.
  3. Make sure to tick Full control for Administrators and click Ok.

Now you should be able to set priority.

how-to
Abhishek Silwal

Abhishek Silwal is an Electronics Engineer and a technical writer at TechNewsToday. He specializes in troubleshooting a wide range of computer-related issues. His educational background in Electronics Engineering has given him a solid foundation in understanding of computers. He is also proficient in several programming languages and has worked on various robotics projects. Even in his early days, he used to tinker with various computer components, both hardware, and software, to satiate his curiosity. This experience has given him a breadth of experience that goes beyond his educational qualification. Abhishek has been writing articles on dealing with varieties of technical issues and performing specific tasks, especially on a Windows machine. He strives to create comprehensive guides on fixing many system and hardware issues and help others solve their problems.

Related Posts

how to make windows 11 look like windows 10

How to Make Windows 11 Look Like Windows 10

January 25, 2023
how to find hidden folder in laptop

How to Find Hidden Folder in Laptop

January 24, 2023
mouse not showing in chrome

Mouse Not Showing in Chrome? Here’s How to Fix It

January 25, 2023
how-to-move-taskbar-windows-11

How to Move Taskbar on Windows 11

January 24, 2023
stickers on windows

How to Add Stickers on Windows 11 Desktop

January 23, 2023
how to add weather to taskbar windows 11

How to Add Weather to Taskbar Windows 11

January 22, 2023
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest Posts
how long does a cmos battery last

How Long Does a CMOS Battery Last

January 25, 2023
thunderbolt vs usb c

Thunderbolt Vs USB C: What’s the Difference

January 25, 2023
how to find hidden folder in laptop

How to Find Hidden Folder in Laptop

January 24, 2023
You may also like
4k-tv-as-monitor

How to Use a 4K TV as a Monitor? (Step-by-Step Guide)

January 26, 2023
how-to-install-cinema-on-firestick

How to Install Cinema on Firestick (Step-By-Step Guide)

January 26, 2023
how to adblock on chrome

How to Block Ads on Google Chrome

January 26, 2023
Recommended
Cookie Clicker Garden Guide

Cookie Clicker Garden Guide to Unlocking Every Seed

September 26, 2021
monitor no signal

Computer Turns On But Monitor Says No Signal (9 Ways To Fix)

November 10, 2022
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
© 2023 TechNewsToday.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.