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Set the app’s graphics preference in Windows, save it, then close and restart the app. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics, select the app, choose Options, and pick High performance or Power saving. Check the GPU names shown in the options: those labels refer to the adapters installed in your PC, not a guaranteed brand or model. On a laptop, High performance can use more power; choose Power saving when the app does not need the discrete GPU.

Set the app’s GPU preference in Windows 11

  1. Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
  2. Find the app in the app list and select it, then choose Options. If it is not listed, use the on-screen route to add or browse for it.
  3. Choose High performance to request the high-performance adapter, Power saving to prefer the power-saving adapter, or Let Windows decide to leave the choice to Windows. Read the GPU names shown beside the options; do not assume which physical adapter a label represents.
  4. Select Save, close the app, and start it again. Microsoft instructs users to restart the app after saving the preference. Microsoft’s Windows 11 graphics guidance describes these per-app settings.

Choose the setting that fits the app and device

Preference What it requests When to choose it
Let Windows decide Windows selects an adapter for the app. Use this if you do not have a reason to override automatic selection.
Power saving Prefer the adapter Windows identifies as power saving. Useful when the app does not need the discrete GPU, particularly when laptop power use matters.
High performance Prefer the adapter Windows identifies as high performance. Use this when you want the app to request the higher-performance adapter.

The options make a preference request; they do not guarantee a particular frame rate or that every part of rendering and display output will use that adapter. The sources do not quantify the battery impact of either choice.

Set the preference in Windows 10

On applicable Windows 10 releases, open Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings and set the app’s graphics performance preference. Labels and availability can vary by Windows release. AMD documents the per-app preference for Windows 10 version 1803 and later. Its older Radeon Software Switchable Graphics interface was removed in Adrenalin Edition 19.12.1 and later, so use Windows settings rather than looking for that older Radeon control. See AMD’s Windows 10 graphics preference instructions. Restart the app after changing its preference.

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, according to Microsoft Support. That lifecycle date is context for Windows 10 users, not an explanation for an app choosing the wrong GPU.

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If NVIDIA Control Panel conflicts with Windows

For Windows 10 version 20H1 and later, NVIDIA says Windows assigns graphics processors to apps and overrides the NVIDIA Control Panel preference when Windows has set an app preference. Set the app’s choice in Windows first. NVIDIA’s control-panel preference can serve as a fallback when Windows has not set one. See NVIDIA’s explanation of preferred graphics processors and its guidance to use Windows graphics settings to assign GPUs: NVIDIA Support.

Check which GPU is active

  1. Start the app after saving the preference and leave it running while it performs the workload you want to check.
  2. Open Task Manager and select the Performance tab.
  3. Review the GPU names and activity while the app is running. Microsoft explains this view in How to check your GPU and why it matters.

Task Manager activity is a practical indication that an adapter is in use, not proof that the app relies on it exclusively for every task.

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If the intended GPU is not available

If the options do not show the GPU you expect, first check whether Windows detects both graphics adapters. The correct next step depends on the PC model and installed graphics hardware; consult the computer maker’s support information or the graphics hardware vendor. There is no universal fix established for a missing adapter, so avoid changing BIOS or MUX settings, editing the registry, removing drivers, or buying hardware without device-specific guidance.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Dell Latitude 5420 14' FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
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