How to Make an App High Priority in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you use a powerful PC but notice that some apps run slower than expected, you might need to make them a high priority in Windows 11. Setting an app to high priority tells Windows to allocate more CPU resources to that app, helping it run more smoothly — especially helpful for games, video editors, and heavy multitasking software.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about prioritizing apps in Windows 11, step-by-step. Whether you’re a gamer trying to get better FPS or a creator rendering videos, this guide will help you boost performance where it matters most.

Table of Contents

What Does Setting an App to High Priority Mean?

When you run an app, Windows assigns it a priority level that determines how many system resources (CPU time) it gets. By default, apps run at Normal priority. Changing the priority level to High or Realtime tells Windows to give that app more processing power.

But keep in mind: if you set too many apps to High, your system might slow down. Windows will always try to balance resources between apps.

When Should You Make an App High Priority?

You might want to make an app high priority if:

You’re running a demanding game and want maximum FPS.
You’re editing videos or rendering 3D models.
You’re livestreaming and need OBS or Streamlabs to perform flawlessly.
You’re running a simulation, coding environment, or virtual machine.
You need to process large datasets quickly (data science, CAD software, etc.).

Step 1: Open Task Manager

The easiest way to change priority is through Task Manager:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
If you see a simplified view, click More details at the bottom.
Go to the Details tab to see all running processes.

Step 2: Find the App You Want to Prioritize

Scroll through the list and find the app (process) you want to give more resources to. The process name might be slightly different from the app name (for example, Chrome processes will be chrome.exe).

Step 3: Change the Priority Level

Once you find the app:

Right-click the app’s process.
Hover over Set priority.
Choose High from the list (or Realtime if you need maximum priority, but use with caution).
Click Change priority in the confirmation pop-up.

Step 4: Test Performance

After changing priority, test your app to see if performance improves. If your system becomes unresponsive, set the priority back to Normal using the same steps.

Alternative Method: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell

You can also set priority via command line, which is helpful if you want to automate the process.

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator.
Type the following command:

wmic process where name="appname.exe" CALL setpriority "high priority"

Replace appname.exe with your app’s process name. Example:

wmic process where name="chrome.exe" CALL setpriority "high priority"

Making High Priority Permanent (Optional)

By default, Windows resets priority levels after you close or restart the app. To make high priority permanent:

Use a Batch File: Create a .bat file with the start /high command to launch the app in high priority automatically.
Third-Party Tools: Tools like Process Hacker or Prio can remember your settings.

Risks of Setting Apps to High Priority

While it sounds tempting to set everything to high priority, here are some risks:

Your PC might become unresponsive if one app hogs all CPU resources.
Background processes (like antivirus) may slow down.
It could cause overheating on laptops if done excessively.

Use it sparingly for apps that truly need it.

Best Practices for App Prioritization

Only set one or two apps to high priority at a time.
Avoid setting system processes (like svchost.exe) to high priority.
Monitor CPU temperature to prevent overheating.
Reset priority to normal after you finish the task.

Other Ways to Improve App Performance

Changing priority isn’t the only way to boost speed. You can also:

Close background apps that consume CPU.
Update drivers (especially graphics drivers).
Enable Game Mode in Windows 11.
Use hardware acceleration inside the app (if available).
Upgrade RAM or CPU if performance issues persist.

Table: Windows 11 Priority Levels

Priority Level	Description	Use Case
Realtime	Highest priority	Rarely used, risky
High	More CPU time than normal	Games, rendering apps
Above Normal	Slightly higher than normal	Media players, streaming
Normal	Default	Everyday apps
Below Normal	Lower than normal	Background tasks
Low	Lowest CPU time	Idle apps

Troubleshooting Priority Changes

If Windows won’t let you change priority:

Run Task Manager as Administrator.
Make sure the app isn’t protected by the system.
Try setting priority using Command Prompt.
Disable antivirus temporarily (some security tools block priority changes).

Conclusion

Making an app high priority in Windows 11 is an excellent way to boost performance for demanding software, but it should be done carefully. Use Task Manager for quick changes, or automate with a batch file if you want permanent results. Always monitor your system performance to avoid overheating or slowing down other apps.

FAQs

1. Can I make high priority permanent without third-party tools?
Yes, you can use a batch file with the start /high command to launch the app with high priority every time.

2. Is it safe to set games to high priority?
Yes, it’s generally safe, but avoid running too many other apps at the same time.

3. What happens if I set everything to high priority?
Your system may become unstable because all processes will compete for CPU time.

4. Can I set priority for multiple processes at once?
Yes, you can create a script that sets priority for multiple apps, but monitor system performance closely.

5. Why does Windows reset priority after I restart the app?
This is by design to prevent accidental performance issues. You need automation or third-party software to make it permanent.