CPU Priority for Processes

How to Make a Program or Process Run with a Higher or Lower CPU Priority in Vista​

   Information

This will show you how to set a Program or Process to temporarily run with a higher or lower CPU priority in Vista. The higher the priority is set for it will mean the more resources will be made available to help it run faster.

   Tip

It can be helpful to tell vista how a program should receive more or less CPU priority depending on your needs. For example, this can help speed up a heavy resource demanding program temporarily to help it finish faster.

   Note

• The CPU priority setting you make for a process will only last as long as the process is open. If you close the application (process) or restart the computer, then the CPU priority will return to normal for that process automatically.
• This will not work on processes that are Services, programs that creates and use their own service (Ex: Antivirus), or on some Vista system files.

Here's How:

1. Right click on the Taskbar.​

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2. Click on Task Manager.​

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3. Click on the Processes tab. (See screenshot below step 5)​

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4. Click on the Show processes from all users button.​

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5. If prompted, click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.​

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6. Right click on the process you want to change the CPU priority level on.​

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7. Click on Set Priority and then click (dot) the CPU priority level you want it to be set on. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: Realtime is the highest CPU priority, and Low is the lowest CPU priority.​

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8. Click on the Change Priority button in the confirmation pop-up. (See screenshot below)​

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9. Close Task Manager.​

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10. Now this process will run with the cpu priority you set in step 7 until the process is closed or you log off or shutdown Vista.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Set Vista for the CPU L2 Cache Memory Size
• How to Set the Processor Affinity for a Application in Vista
• How to Change the Number of Processors Used at Boot Up in Vista
• How to Add or Remove "Run with Priority Level" to the Context Menu
• How to Add or Remove "Run with CPU Affinity" to the Context Menu
• How to Create a Shortcut to Run an Application with a Specific CPU Priority in Windows

 

[EmHe]

I don't know if it helps by telling this. I'm a semi-professional CSS player :D I've set my Priority level for css PERMANENTLY on high.
In css you have the ability to set launch options.
So I typ there: " -high " and the proces is always on High priority. I've read that this is posible for all processes, but I don't know how to set thouse launch options for other processes.

 

[Brink]

Thank you EmHe.

Yes, some applications like that one, if your lucky, will have settings in them that allow for this. If the app. doesn't, then it will only be temporarily set through the CPU Priority settings in Vista.

 

[speenth]

Is it right that I have six instances of svchost.exe running at any one time?

 

[Brink]

Hi Speenth,

Yes, it is normal to have that many instances of svchost.exe running and more. To help determine what Service they are for, right click on one and click on Go to Service(s). Use the slider, to the right, to scroll through the list. All of the highlighted Services are for that instance of svchost.exe.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[speenth]

Hi' Brink,

Thanks for the fast and clear answer on svchost.exe. One less thing to worry about!

Speenth

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Speenth.

 

[cabrón]

Hi all,

I was experimenting with this because I got an access denied error when I tried to change a process. I was running a program "as administrator" and got an access denied error when I tried to change the process priority. I was able to change other process priorities that were not running with elevated priveleges.

However, when I checked the box "Show processes from all users", I was able to change the priority of that same program that I was running "as administrator", so that is an important and necessary step even though it makes little sense.

 

[Brink]

Hello Cabron,

Yep, the "Show processes from all users" option elevates Task Manager to run as administrator giving it and you permission to do this.

Thank you for your feedback.

Shawn

 

[Newbie007]

This is great I just wonder; is there a way set priority permanent for us mmorp players? regards newbie

 

[Brink]

Hello Newbie007, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Some programs may have a option in it's settings that will allow you to change the CPU priority level for it permanently. If not, then it is only temporary using this tutorial.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[Newbie007]

Hello and thanks Shawn.

I have right-clicked programfile for Age of Conan, and there are some options. but not with this. Would be nice if MS f.ex. added priority and maybe more on that meny

Thanks for a nice forum btw. Have done some of the tips, and my system runs faster now. Still, my newinstalled graphic card sounds like and F-16 going into a highspeed Immelman now and then. hehe

 

[Brink]

Newbie007,

I meant the settings within the game or program itself, and not it's file right click properties.

 

[Newbie007]

yes, i checked both places

 

[Brink]

It seems it will not be an option for that particular program.

 

[Newbie007]

np, i found another way to speed up. Probably wrong settings on my Geforce GTS 250 (wich is new to me).
After following tips in this forum , my vista score now is 5.9 on all except cpu wich is 5.5.
I dont know how high vista gives at max, but for me it feels better.
I activated all that g-card supported in nvidia/vista settings, then put settings to let AoC handle g-card completely. I can now run Dx10 on medium inclusive gras, antialias, water reflections, world particles etc with aprox 30+ fps.
Still need to see how it goes in raid. but so far so good. can ofc click raid button in settings wich lower most of it
If i get better cpu and 2 more ram chips, i might be able to go on high settings lol wich AoC deserves in my opinion.

regards Newbie007

 

[Brink]

That's great news.

 

[Case]

How do I change CPU priority for programs?

Thanks,

Casey

 

[Brink]

Hello Casey,

You will need to find the process (usually exe file) for the program instead. The tutorial below can help show more details on this though.

Priority Level - Set for Applications and Processes - Windows 7 Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn