How to assign graphics performance preferences to Windows 11 programs
Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system includes an option to assign graphics preferences to programs on the system. The default setting gives Windows 11 control over the performance, but administrators may change the default to enforce the performance level.
The main idea behind the graphics preference feature is to adjust the performance dynamically based on the power level. It is mostly useful on laptops and other mobile devices, but may also be used on other devices running Windows 11.
Users of Windows 11 may use the feature to assign a power configuration to a specific program, e.g. to make sure that the computer game's performance is set to high always, or to reduce the performance of other applications to save power.
Configuring the Graphics Preference for Programs on Windows 11
- Open the Settings application of the operating system, either with the shortcut Windows-I, or by selecting Start > Settings.
- Switch to System > Display.
- Select Graphics on the page that opens.
Windows 11 displays a list of installed apps on the page, and an option to find a specific desktop program or Microsoft Store application. The graphics preference setting for each is displayed in the listing.
- If the program or app is listed already, activate it with a click and select the options button.
- The Graphics Preference window lists three options:
- Let Windows decide (Power saving).
- Power saving.
- High performance.
- Switch the setting to the desired level and select the save button to save it.
The graphics processing unit is listed for each performance level individually; this is useful on devices with onboard and dedicated graphics units, as you may use the preferences to switch between the graphics adapters. Some applications or programs may be limited in regards to the graphics adapter.
Note that you may need to restart the app or program if it is running already.
If the program or app is not listed, use the browse option on the page to add it manually to the page. The remaining steps are identical once a program or app has been added.
The apps that Windows 11 lists by default can't be removed, but they can be reset if a custom setting was assigned to them. The programs and apps that have been added manually can't be reset, only removed.
Closing Words
Graphics preferences for individual apps or programs may be useful in some situations, e.g. when you want heavy apps or games to always run in high performance mode, even if that impacts power consumption more. The other way around is possible as well, e.g. by making sure that an app or program is set to the power saving mode all the time to reduce its impact on the power consumption.
Windows 11 users should not expect wonders when they switch between the two modes, but it may be worth a short to optimize performance or power consumption for specific apps or programs.
Third-party programs likeEasy Power Plan Switcher, Laptop Power Plan Assistant, or PowerSchemeSwitcher may also be worth a shot.
Now You:
There is not still W11 23H2 and these instructions are nonsense by now. :[
It worked for me just fine. You’re probably not following the instructions clearly.
Just tried the password option and the OOBE option and didnt work.
Worked perfectly. Thank OP.
Worked perfectly for me just now. Specifically, the regedit option.
Is this cut and paste from a Microsoft PR paper, because it 1000% BS:
“By listening to user insights, Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to refining the Windows experience based on real-world needs.”
Windows 11 is proof they don’t give a s*it.
Worked for me just now
I agree! Windows 11 was a downgrade to me and I kept all 8 computers in our family on Windows 10 as a result. They didn’t listen to any customers. The taskbar was THE main reason I stayed away from Windows 11. With 6 monitors, it is impossible to navigate so many browser tabs, without the feature. I will try the new version in the virtual box to see if it is worth it yet.
Microsoft did a terrible job with this implementation.
They simply need to employ the creator of StartAllBack to fix Windows. He is smarter and more talented than the entire campus of Microsoft employees.
lol
Thank you so much! I work in IT and this is extremely useful information!
Thanks man. The second method worked great!
I used the second method, and i got exactly what i expected.
Using the Bypass 2: Use a banned email address email worked fantastically as I had gone to far to use the bypass 1.
I will be back when I next have a problem.
Keep you the great work
W11 File Explorer is the worst crap ever done. W11 is the biggest shame ever.
Just one more reason for me to go to Linux when Windows 10 ages out.
@ MarineRecon,
Be careful which Linux distro you choose. Some of them don’t include the Wayland protocol which is a security issue i.e. apps can copy, paste and inject data without user interaction.
It’s included in Fedora: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/system-administrators-guide/Wayland/
How about a DARK MODE for your website? That would be oh so nice.
Something like this : [https://img.justpaste.me/image/8617] maybe?
Done with ‘Dark Reader Extension for ? Firefox’ [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/darkreader/]
This comment was written on [https://www.ghacks.net/windows-11-installation-has-failed-how-to-fix-this-upgrade-error/#comment-4573155}
Definitely NOT! Once you get older and your eyesight starts to fail you’ll positively loathe dark mode.
Not sure what eye problems *you’re* having, but for me the exact opposite is true. Dark Mode is MUCH easier on my Eyes.
BTW- I’m 52, and have worked in IT all my life. Been staring at monitors for hours each day, most days of the week since the late 1980’s.
Microsoft completely ruined File Explorer by converting to XAML/WinUI/whatever new bloated modern garbage. Its worse than it ever was.
i tested it on win10 current edition. speeds up explorer like a charm
SO what is the priority numbers to give preference to ethernet over wireless?
Worked very well happy to have Windows Photo Viewer back in action in Windows-11
Worked for me (registry option) thank god, I can use the search option to find things on my computer again. Thank you so much!
Install Everything Search and dispense with Microsoft’s crappy search tool. https://www.voidtools.com/
Martin wrote an article on it: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/09/add-everything-search-to-the-windows-taskbar-for-even-faster-searches/
I presume the text “WindowsCopilot,,” is a typographical error (2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/). The broken comment system unfortunately looks like it is populating itself via AI autopilot.
Hopefully, this Windows Copilot nonsense fails even more spectacularly than Cortana. Who requested this? We want all of the UX features removed back in 11, not this copilot nonsense.
I really don’t mind all of these Windows enhancement but Microsoft get one thing very wrong. ‘Opt in’, is far better than seek information and work to disable.
Turn off Windows Copilot entirely is not good enough.
How to uninstall Copilot entirely ?
@ ilev,
Use Gpedit or the registry. Explained in this article: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/
With that snake oil salesman Panos gone, hopefully Windows can return to a normal desktop operating system without all the insanity it has right now in Windows 11.
Can we please stop being ‘politically correct’ (lying) and call them ads again instead of ‘suggestions’?
@ Martin,
Does your gpedit hack also turn off all the other “subscribed content” shown in the registry screenshot? Do you happen to know what all those are?