How to set default GPU for apps on Windows 11

• To change the default GPU per app on Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, choose the app, and select the default graphics card. 

UPDATED 1/5/2026: On Windows 11, you can choose the preferred GPU an app should use through one of the available control panels from AMD or NVIDIA. However, if you have a system with multiple graphics cards and want a particular app to use the high-performance card (or the lowest-power card to improve battery life), you can also control this behavior in the “Display” settings page.

However, the steps will vary slightly depending on the Windows version installed on your computer, as Microsoft updated the “Graphics” settings with the Windows 11 24H2 upgrade.

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In this guide, I will show you how to choose which GPU an app should use on Windows 11.

• Change default GPU for apps on Windows 11 (new)
• Change default GPU for apps on Windows 11 (old)
• FAQs about changing the default GPU on Windows 11

Change default GPU for apps on Windows 11 (new)

To set a specific GPU for an app on Windows 11 25H2, 24H2, and higher, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the Display page on the right side.

4. Click the Graphics setting under the “Related settings” section.

   

5. Click the “Add desktop app” or “Add Microsoft Store app” button.

   Quick note: If you have to add a desktop app, you will need to select the “.exe” file. On the other hand, if you need to add a Microsoft Store app, select it from the list.

6. Click on the app to expand its settings.

7. Choose the graphics card the app should use in the “GPU preference” setting:

   • Let Windows decide (default) — the system automatically determines which GPU to use.
   • Power Saving — runs the app on the GPU that uses the least power, usually the integrated graphics processor.
   • High Performance — runs the app on the most capable GPU, usually an external or discrete graphics processor.

   

8. (Optional) Turn on the “Optimizations for windowed games” toggle switch if you’re customizing a game.

9. Restart the application (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, the graphics settings will apply to the application or game you have selected on Windows 11 25H2.

If you no longer need this customization, you can undo the changes using the same instructions. In step 5, click the app and select the “Reset” button.

Change default GPU for apps on Windows 11 (old)

To change the default GPU for apps on Windows 11 23H2 (or earlier), follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the Display page on the right side.

4. Click the Graphics setting under the “Related settings” section.

   

5. Select the “Desktop app” option to choose an app you installed outside the Store or the “Microsoft Store app” option to select an app from the Store using the “Add an app” setting.

6. Click the Browse button to select the application.

   

7. Click the Options button.

   

8. Specify the GPU for the app:

   • Let Windows decide (default) — the system automatically determines which GPU to use.
   • Power saving — runs the app on the GPU that uses the least power, usually the integrated graphics processor.
   • High performance — runs the app on the most capable GPU, usually an external or discrete graphics processor.

   

9. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the app will use the specified graphics card the next time you launch it. You may also need to repeat the steps to configure other applications.

When using the “Graphics preference” on Windows 11, those settings take precedence over the same settings in other control panels (such as NVIDIA and AMD), which you can continue to use to configure additional features.

Although Windows 11 makes it easier to choose the default GPU an app uses, an app can still choose which graphics card to use. If you change the graphics settings and the app defaults to a different graphics card, you will need to adjust the app’s settings.

If you no longer need the feature, go to the “Graphics” page, select each application using a custom setting, and click the “Remove” button.

FAQs about changing the default GPU on Windows 11

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about setting the default GPU for apps and games on Windows 11.

How do I set a specific GPU for an app on Windows 11?

Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, add your app, then choose the GPU preference: “Let Windows decide,” “Power Saving” (integrated GPU), or “High Performance” (discrete GPU). Restart the app to apply changes.

Can I force a game always to use my high-performance GPU?

Yes. In the Graphics settings, select the game, expand its options, and set it to “High Performance.” You can also enable “Optimizations for windowed games” if available. Restart the game for the change to take effect.

Will these settings override NVIDIA or AMD control panel configurations?

Yes. Windows 11 GPU preferences take priority over NVIDIA or AMD global settings. However, you can still use the graphics card control panels to fine-tune other features such as refresh rate, anti-aliasing, and more.

How do I remove a custom GPU setting for an app?

Open the “Graphics” settings, select the app with a custom GPU, and click “Reset” or “Remove” (older versions). The app will revert to letting Windows decide the graphics card.

Do these steps differ between Windows 11 versions?

Slightly. Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 have a simplified interface for adding desktop or Microsoft Store apps. Older versions, such as 23H2, require using the “Browse” button to locate desktop apps and manually saving your GPU preference.

Can an app ignore my GPU preference?

Yes. Some apps, especially games, can override Windows 11 settings. If this happens, check the app’s internal graphics settings and adjust them to use the GPU you prefer.

Will this help save battery on laptops?

Absolutely. Selecting Power Saving for apps that don’t require high-performance graphics can reduce GPU power usage and extend battery life.

Update January 5, 2026: This guide has been updated to include a video tutorial to follow these instructions.