To see which graphics processor an app is using, check its GPU Engine entry in Task Manager while the app is doing work, then match the GPU number to the adapter name in Task Manager’s Performance tab. On Windows 11, you can also set a per-app graphics preference in Settings.
Check an app’s GPU in Task Manager
- Make the app do the work you want to check. Open a game scene, start a video render, or play a video. An idle app may show no meaningful GPU activity.
- Open Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, then select Processes.
- Show the GPU Engine column if needed. If it is missing, right-click a column header and enable GPU Engine. This is a commonly described interface route; menu wording and layout can vary by Task Manager version. [Microsoft Community guidance]
- Find the app or process and read GPU Engine. The entry identifies a GPU number and an engine, such as 3D or video. Task Manager can show per-process GPU activity, including activity on different GPU engines. [Microsoft DirectX documentation]
- Match the number to the adapter name. Select Performance in Task Manager and inspect the listed GPUs. Use the names shown on your PC to identify GPU 0, GPU 1, or another number; numbering is not a universal integrated-versus-discrete designation.
Interpret the GPU Engine reading
The engine name matters. A process may use a video engine rather than the 3D engine, so a low 3D percentage does not necessarily mean the app is not using the GPU. Microsoft explains that video playback can use a non-3D engine: “playing a video under some circumstances may not use the 3D engine at all in which case the aggregated utilization on the GPU would have been reported as 0% while the video is playing!” [Microsoft DirectX Developer Blog]
Check the process’s GPU Engine entry while the relevant task is active, and compare the GPU number with the Performance tab. Do not infer the adapter solely from the utilization percentage or assume GPU 0 is always integrated.
Set a per-app GPU preference in Windows 11
Windows 11 lets you request a graphics preference for an app or game on systems with multiple GPUs. The available choices depend on the PC’s graphics hardware. [Microsoft Support]
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- Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
- Select the app. If it is not listed, use the option to add a desktop or Microsoft Store app, as appropriate.
- Select Options, then choose Power saving, High performance, or the Windows choice if offered.
- Select Save, close and restart the app, then check its GPU Engine entry again in Task Manager.
A preference is a request, not proof of which adapter handled a particular workload. Verify the result for the app and task you care about.
Choose a preference based on power and workload
Integrated graphics generally use less power and suit lighter workloads. Discrete graphics generally use more power and are suited to demanding tasks such as gaming, design, and video editing. Some laptops and tablets switch between GPUs according to the task. Microsoft describes this switching as a way to balance performance and power efficiency. [Microsoft Support]
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On Windows 11, Power saving and High performance express a similar choice. Favor power saving when battery life matters and the workload is light; request high performance for demanding graphics work when you need it. The actual GPU used should still be checked in Task Manager.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you can’t find the GPU Engine column
- Confirm you are on the Processes tab and try the column-header context menu; the exact labels and layout can vary between Task Manager versions.
- Make sure the app is actively performing the task you want to inspect; idle periods may not produce a useful reading.
- Use the Performance tab to identify adapters by name rather than relying on GPU numbers from another PC or a general rule.
The GPU Engine column walkthrough comes from Microsoft Community guidance, while Microsoft’s DirectX documentation explains Task Manager’s per-process GPU reporting and multiple engines. The exact consumer interface may vary by Windows build. The Windows 11 preference path above should not be assumed to be identical in Windows 10.
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