How to Allocate More CPU to a Program in Windows 11: A Guide

By / September 21, 2025

Do you ever feel like yourWindows 11 PC slows down when running resource-heavy apps likegames, video editing software, or virtual machines? That’s because Windows distributes CPU resources equally among apps.

Luckily, you can allocate more CPU power to specific programs so they run smoother.

In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step methods to prioritize CPU usage for apps in Windows 11—whether you’re gaming, streaming, or multitasking.

Summary (Quick Takeaways)

  • Windows 11 lets you prioritize CPU resources for specific apps.

  • You can adjust CPU priority via Task Manager or System Settings.

  • For advanced users, methods like Power Plans or Affinity settings provide more control.

  • Ideal for gamers, video editors, and heavy app users who need better performance.

Why Allocate More CPU to a Program?

Here are common situations where this tweak helps:

  • 🎮 Gaming – Reduce lag and stuttering.

  • 🎬 Video Editing / Rendering – Speed up export times.

  • 💻 Virtual Machines (VMware, VirtualBox) – Improve performance.

  • 📊 Data Analysis Software – Faster processing for heavy workloads.

  • 🎧 Streaming Software (OBS, etc.) – Prevent lag during live streams.

Method 1: Use Task Manager to Set CPU Priority

Windows 11’s Task Manager lets you control how much CPU a program gets.

Steps:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

  2. Go to the Details tab.

  3. Find your program (e.g., game.exe).

  4. Right-click → Select Set priority.

  5. Choose:

    • High → Gives the app more CPU power.

    • Realtime → Maximum priority (⚠️ use with caution; may affect system stability).

✅ Best for temporary performance boosts while the app is running.

Method 2: Set CPU Affinity (Choose CPU Cores for a Program)

If you want a program to use specific CPU cores, use affinity.

Steps:

  1. Open Task Manager → Details tab.

  2. Right-click your program → Set affinity.

  3. Check/uncheck CPU cores you want the app to use.

👉 Example: Assign 4 cores to your game and leave the rest for background tasks.

Method 3: Change Power Settings for Better CPU Performance

Windows 11 sometimes limits CPU usage to save power. Switching to High Performance gives apps more CPU cycles.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + I → Open Settings.

  2. Go to System > Power & battery.

  3. Under Power mode, select Best performance.

✅ Ensures your CPU runs at full speed.

Method 4: Permanently Set CPU Priority via Registry Editor (Advanced)

If you want CPU priority to stay the same every time you launch an app:

Steps:

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl

  3. Find Win32PrioritySeparation (DWORD value).

  4. Modify its value to:

    • 26 → Background services balanced.

    • 38 → Foreground apps prioritized.

⚠️ Be careful when editing the registry—always back it up first.

Method 5: Use Third-Party Software for CPU Allocation

For easier management, tools like:

  • Process Lasso – Automates CPU priority & affinity.

  • Prio – Extends Task Manager with priority saving.

✅ Great for users who want automation instead of manual tweaks.

Troubleshooting & Tips

  • 🚫 Don’t set everything to “High” – defeats the purpose. Only prioritize your main app.

  • 🛠️ Monitor CPU usage – use Task Manager → Performance tab to track.

  • ⚡ Upgrade RAM/SSD – CPU tweaks help, but hardware bottlenecks also matter.

  • 🔄 Revert settings if system becomes unstable.

Risks of Changing CPU Priority

  • ⚠️ Realtime priority may freeze your PC if the program hogs all resources.

  • 🛑 Some apps may crash if forced to use fewer cores.

  • 🔋 Higher CPU allocation = more heat and battery drain on laptops.

Conclusion

Allocating more CPU to a program in Windows 11 is a powerful way to boost performance for games, editing software, and heavy apps.

You can do this with:

  • Task Manager (priority & affinity)

  • Power settings for full CPU usage

  • Registry tweaks for permanent changes

  • Third-party apps for automation

Use these wisely, and you’ll enjoy smoother, faster performance without unnecessary lag.

FAQs

1. Can I allocate all CPU cores to one program?

Yes, via Set affinity in Task Manager—but leave at least 1–2 cores for Windows background tasks.

2. What’s the safest CPU priority setting?

High priority is safe; Realtime should only be used for critical apps.

3. Do I need admin rights to change CPU priority?

Yes, you’ll need administrator privileges.

4. Does allocating more CPU make games faster?

Yes, it can reduce lag and stutter, especially in CPU-heavy games.

5. Will these settings reset after reboot?

Yes, unless you use registry edits or third-party tools.

Related Posts:

Scroll to Top