How to Set Default GPU for Apps in Windows 10

Jan. 30, 2021

In multi-GPU computers runningWindows 10, you can manually specify which graphics card aWindows appshould use as default to eitherimprove performanceor increase battery efficiency. So today, we will show you how to set default GPU for apps in multi-GPU Windows 10 computers.

Set Default GPU for Apps in Windows 10

Generally, the integrated GPU (IGPU) is more power efficient, while the discrete GPU is better fordemanding gamesand graphics-heavy applications. So if you’re looking to maximize performance without compromising on power efficiency, you’ve come to the right place. That’s because in this tutorial, we’ll show you how to set a preferred GPU for specific apps in Windows 10.

Note:The default installation directory for 64-bit applications in Windows 10 isC:\Program Files, while the default for 32-bit applications isC:\Program Files (x86).

Before we tell you how you can set or change the default graphics card in Windows 10, here’s how you can select a Microsoft Store app:

Choose the option you want and remember toclick on the ‘Save’ buttononce you’ve taken your pick.

That’s it. You have now successfully specified which GPU your Windows 10 computer should use for a particular app. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

The method described below works for all modern graphics processors, so you can use it to set your preferred Nvidia or AMD card as default for any app in Windows 10. We have mentioned a list of popular GPUs below. Note that this is not an exhaustive list and is here to only serve as an example.

While we’re talking about extracting the best out of your Windows 10 PC in terms of both performance and efficiency, you can also check out ourWindows 10 tips and tricks,how to use God Modeandhow to use PowerToys on Windows 10to get even better control of your computer. Also, don’t forget to check out thetools to stress test GPUsso you can check how your GPU stack against the competition.

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