Article ID: 000090168 Content Type: Product Information & Documentation Last Reviewed: 11/17/2023

How To Set the Default GPU for Applications and Games

Environment

Windows 11* Family, Windows® 10 family

BUILT IN - ARTICLE INTRO SECOND COMPONENT
Summary

Instructions on how to force apps or games to use dedicated graphics or integrated graphics.

Description

How do I set my GPU to run my applications and games?

Resolution

First, make sure your discrete graphics card is the main source of display

  1. Verify in Device Manager/Display Adapters if Discrete Graphics Card is grayed out. Make sure to enable it in the BIOS settings or video card settings.
  2. Connect the video cable to the Discrete Graphics Card's port instead of the motherboard's back panel.

To set the default GPU for your application or game, you'll need to associate your games with it so your computer will know which GPU to use. (by default the option set is Let Windows decide)

  1. From Start Icon, type "Graphics Settings" and Click the results from System Settings.
  2. Click Desktop App.
  3. Browse your application. If your application is not on the list, you will need to browse for the folder where the .exe file is located.
  4. Clickon the application name/icon.
  5. Click Options.
  6. Set the application to your preferred GPU.
  7. Click save.
NoteCertain gaming functionality may not work correctly unless your platform is updated to the latest graphics driver. To see how to update your graphics driver, visit How to Install an Intel® Graphics Driver in Windows® 10 & Windows 11*.

Related Products

This article applies to 119 products

Intel® Data Center GPU Max Series
Intel® Data Center GPU Max 1100
Intel® Data Center GPU Max 1550