How to Make a Program Start at High Priority in Windows

In certain situations, you might want a specific program to run with higher priority than others. This can be particularly useful for resource-intensive applications like video editing software, games, or scientific simulations, where performance is critical. By assigning a higher priority, you’re essentially telling Windows to allocate more CPU time and system resources to that program, potentially improving its responsiveness and overall performance. However, it’s crucial to understand the implications before changing a program’s priority, as excessively high priority can starve other processes of resources and destabilize your system. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to make a program start at high priority in Windows, covering various methods and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Understanding Process Priorities in Windows

Before diving into the methods, it’s essential to understand how Windows manages process priorities. Windows uses a numerical priority system, with higher numbers indicating higher priority. The priority levels, from lowest to highest, are:

* **Idle:** The lowest priority level. Processes with this priority receive CPU time only when the system is completely idle.
* **Below Normal:** Processes at this level have lower priority than normal processes.
* **Normal:** This is the default priority for most programs. They receive a fair share of CPU time.
* **Above Normal:** Processes with this priority receive more CPU time than normal processes.
* **High:** Processes at this level receive significantly more CPU time than normal processes. Use with caution.
* **Realtime:** The highest priority level. This should be used only for critical system processes or when absolutely necessary, as it can starve other processes and potentially cause system instability.

It’s crucial to remember that elevating a program’s priority doesn’t magically make your computer faster. It simply tells Windows to give that program preference when allocating resources. If your system is already overloaded, increasing a program’s priority might not result in a noticeable performance improvement and could even negatively impact other applications.

Methods to Make a Program Start at High Priority

There are several methods to make a program start at high priority in Windows. We will explore each one in detail:

Method 1: Using Task Manager (Temporary Solution)

The simplest and quickest way to increase a program’s priority is through Task Manager. However, this method only applies to the current session. When you close and restart the program, it will revert to its default priority.

**Steps:**

1. **Launch the Program:** Start the program you want to prioritize.
2. **Open Task Manager:** Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager, or right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager”.
3. **Navigate to the Details Tab:** In Task Manager, click on the “Details” tab.
4. **Find the Program’s Process:** Locate the program’s executable in the list of processes. It will usually have the same name as the program’s executable file (e.g., `programname.exe`).
5. **Right-Click and Set Priority:** Right-click on the program’s process and select “Set priority”.
6. **Choose “High” (or “Above Normal”):** From the submenu, choose “High” or “Above Normal” depending on your needs. Starting with “Above Normal” is usually recommended to avoid potential issues. Selecting “Realtime” is generally discouraged unless you are sure of what you are doing, as it can lead to system instability.
7. **Confirm the Change:** Windows may prompt you with a warning message. Click “Change priority” to confirm the change.

Now, the program will run with the selected priority until you close it. When you restart the program, you’ll need to repeat these steps.

**Advantages:**

* Simple and quick to implement.
* Doesn’t require any special tools or modifications.

**Disadvantages:**

* The change is temporary and only lasts for the current session.
* You need to manually adjust the priority every time you start the program.

Method 2: Creating a Shortcut with a Command-Line Switch (More Persistent)

To make the priority change more persistent, you can create a shortcut that launches the program with the `/high` command-line switch using the `start` command. This method ensures that the program always starts with the specified priority when launched through the shortcut.

**Steps:**

1. **Locate the Program’s Executable:** Find the program’s executable file (e.g., `programname.exe`). This is usually located in the program’s installation directory (e.g., `C:\Program Files\ProgramName`).
2. **Create a Shortcut:** Right-click on an empty area on your desktop or in a folder where you want to place the shortcut and select “New” > “Shortcut”.
3. **Enter the Command:** In the “Type the location of the item” field, enter the following command, replacing `”C:\Program Files\ProgramName\programname.exe”` with the actual path to the program’s executable:

start “Program Name” /high “C:\Program Files\ProgramName\programname.exe”

* `start`: This command is used to start a new process.
* `”Program Name”`: This is the title of the command prompt window (it can be anything you like, but it is required). Enclose it in double quotes.
* `/high`: This switch specifies that the program should be started with high priority.
* `”C:\Program Files\ProgramName\programname.exe”`: This is the full path to the program’s executable. Enclose it in double quotes if the path contains spaces.
4. **Click “Next”.**
5. **Name the Shortcut:** Enter a name for the shortcut (e.g., “Program Name (High Priority)”) and click “Finish”.
6. **Customize the Shortcut Icon (Optional):** Right-click on the newly created shortcut and select “Properties”.
7. **Change Icon:** Go to the “Shortcut” tab and click on the “Change Icon…” button.
8. **Browse for the Icon:** If the program has an icon file, browse to the program’s installation directory and select it. Otherwise, you can choose any icon from the system icon library. Click “OK”.
9. **Apply the Changes:** Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Now, whenever you launch the program using this shortcut, it will automatically start with high priority.

**For Above Normal Priority,** you need to use `wmic` instead of `start`. This is a bit more complex but allows for more granular control.

**Steps for Above Normal using WMIC:**

1. **Create a Shortcut:** Right-click on an empty area on your desktop or in a folder where you want to place the shortcut and select “New” > “Shortcut”.
2. **Enter the Command:** In the “Type the location of the item” field, enter the following command, replacing `”C:\Program Files\ProgramName\programname.exe”` with the actual path to the program’s executable:

wmic process call create “C:\Program Files\ProgramName\programname.exe”, , {Priority = “Above Normal”}

or

wmic process call create “C:\Program Files\ProgramName\programname.exe”, , {Priority = 32768}

* `wmic`: This is the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line.
* `process call create`: This command calls the create method of the process class.
* `”C:\Program Files\ProgramName\programname.exe”`: This is the full path to the program’s executable. Enclose it in double quotes.
* `, , {Priority = “Above Normal”}`: This specifies the priority to be “Above Normal”. Alternatively, you can use the numeric value `32768` for Above Normal. Other possible values include `High` (32770), `Normal` (32), `Below Normal` (16384) and `Idle` (64)
3. **Click “Next”.**
4. **Name the Shortcut:** Enter a name for the shortcut (e.g., “Program Name (Above Normal Priority)”) and click “Finish”.
5. **Customize the Shortcut Icon (Optional):** Right-click on the newly created shortcut and select “Properties”.
6. **Change Icon:** Go to the “Shortcut” tab and click on the “Change Icon…” button.
7. **Browse for the Icon:** If the program has an icon file, browse to the program’s installation directory and select it. Otherwise, you can choose any icon from the system icon library. Click “OK”.
8. **Apply the Changes:** Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Note that the WMIC method will open a command prompt window momentarily when launching the application. This is normal as the command is executed.

**Advantages:**

* More persistent than using Task Manager.
* Relatively easy to set up.
* Allows you to create multiple shortcuts with different priority levels.

**Disadvantages:**

* Requires creating and maintaining shortcuts.
* The `/high` switch might not work for all programs.
* The WMIC version can briefly flash a command window.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party Process Management Tool (Most Persistent and Flexible)

For a more robust and flexible solution, you can use a third-party process management tool. These tools offer advanced features for managing processes, including the ability to automatically set priorities, CPU affinity, and other settings when a program starts. Several such tools are available, both free and paid. One popular option is **Process Lasso**.

**Using Process Lasso:**

Process Lasso is a process optimization and automation utility that allows you to persistently set process priorities, CPU affinities, and more. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features.

**Steps:**

1. **Download and Install Process Lasso:** Download Process Lasso from its official website (bitsum.com) and install it. The free version has some limitations, but it’s often sufficient for basic priority management.
2. **Launch Process Lasso:** Start Process Lasso after installation.
3. **Find the Program’s Process:** Locate the program you want to prioritize in the list of running processes in Process Lasso’s main window. You may need to start the program first.
4. **Right-Click and Set Priority:** Right-click on the program’s process and select “Priority” > “Always” > “High” (or “Above Normal”).
5. **Configure CPU Affinity (Optional):** Process Lasso also allows you to set CPU affinity, which determines which CPU cores the program can use. This can be useful for optimizing performance on multi-core systems. To set CPU affinity, right-click on the program’s process and select “CPU Affinity” > “Always” > “Select CPU Affinity”. Choose the CPU cores you want the program to use.
6. **Configure Other Settings (Optional):** Process Lasso offers a variety of other settings that you can customize, such as I/O priority, memory priority, and process watchdog. Explore the available options to fine-tune the program’s behavior.

Process Lasso will now automatically set the specified priority and CPU affinity whenever the program starts. The changes are persistent and apply even after restarting your computer.

**Advantages:**

* Most persistent and reliable method.
* Offers advanced features for managing processes.
* User-friendly interface.
* Provides options for setting CPU affinity and other settings.

**Disadvantages:**

* Requires installing a third-party tool.
* The free version may have limitations.

Method 4: Modifying the Registry (Advanced – Use with Caution)

Modifying the Windows Registry is an advanced technique that allows you to permanently change a program’s priority. However, it’s crucial to proceed with caution, as incorrect registry modifications can cause system instability. **Back up your registry before making any changes.**

**Steps:**

1. **Open Registry Editor:** Press `Win + R`, type `regedit`, and press Enter. Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control.
2. **Navigate to the AppInit_DLLs Key:** In Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

3. **Check for `LoadAppInit_DLLs` and `AppInit_DLLs` values:**
* If the value `LoadAppInit_DLLs` does not exist, create it: Right-click in the right pane, select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value”, and name it `LoadAppInit_DLLs`. Double-click on the newly created value and set its value to `1`. This enables the loading of AppInit DLLs.
* If the value `AppInit_DLLs` does not exist, create it: Right-click in the right pane, select “New” > “String Value”, and name it `AppInit_DLLs`. Leave its value empty for now. We will populate this later.

4. **Create a DLL to Set the Priority:** You’ll need to create a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) that sets the process priority. This requires programming knowledge and a C++ compiler (such as Visual Studio). The DLL should contain code that does the following:

cpp
#include

DWORD WINAPI SetPriority(LPVOID lpParam)
{
// Get the process ID of the target process.
DWORD processId = GetCurrentProcessId();

// Open the process with PROCESS_ALL_ACCESS rights.
HANDLE hProcess = OpenProcess(PROCESS_ALL_ACCESS, FALSE, processId);

if (hProcess == NULL)
{
// Handle error: Could not open process.
return 1; // Or some other error code
}

// Set the process priority to HIGH_PRIORITY_CLASS.
if (!SetPriorityClass(hProcess, HIGH_PRIORITY_CLASS))
{
// Handle error: Could not set priority.
CloseHandle(hProcess);
return 2; // Or some other error code
}

// Close the process handle.
CloseHandle(hProcess);

return 0; // Success
}

BOOL WINAPI DllMain(HINSTANCE hinstDLL, DWORD fdwReason, LPVOID lpvReserved)
{
switch (fdwReason)
{
case DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH:
// Create a thread to set the priority.
CreateThread(NULL, 0, SetPriority, NULL, 0, NULL);
break;
case DLL_PROCESS_DETACH:
break;
case DLL_THREAD_ATTACH:
break;
case DLL_THREAD_DETACH:
break;
}
return TRUE; // Successful DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH.
}

Compile this code into a DLL file (e.g., `HighPriority.dll`).

**Important Considerations for the DLL:**
* **32-bit vs 64-bit:** Make sure the DLL architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) matches the target application’s architecture. If you’re prioritizing a 32-bit application on a 64-bit system, you’ll need a 32-bit DLL.
* **Digital Signing:** For increased security and compatibility, consider digitally signing the DLL.
* **Error Handling:** The provided example includes basic error handling. Enhance this to log errors for debugging purposes.

5. **Update the `AppInit_DLLs` Value:** Double-click on the `AppInit_DLLs` value and enter the full path to the DLL file you created (e.g., `C:\Path\To\HighPriority.dll`). If there are other DLLs listed, separate them with commas.

6. **Add a Value to Specifically Target your Application** Create a new key under `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers`. Name the key using the full path to your application executable, e.g. `C:\Program Files\MyApp\MyApp.exe`. Inside that key, create a new string value named `__COMPAT_LAYER` and give it the data `HighPriority`. Alternatively for Above Normal, use `AboveNormal`. This ensures the priority change is applied only to your application.

7. **Restart Your Computer:** Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

8. **Test the Program:** After restarting, launch the program. Verify that it starts with the high priority by checking Task Manager.

**Important Notes:**

* This method modifies the registry, which can be risky. Back up your registry before proceeding.
* Creating a DLL requires programming knowledge and a C++ compiler.
* Ensure that the DLL is compatible with the target application’s architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
* This method applies to all applications loaded with `AppInit_DLLs`. Use the `AppCompatFlags` key described in step 6 to limit to a single application.
* Make sure `LoadAppInit_DLLs` is set to `1`.

**Advantages:**

* Potentially the most persistent method.
* No need to manually adjust priority every time the program starts.

**Disadvantages:**

* Very complex and requires advanced technical skills.
* Registry modifications can be risky and can lead to system instability.
* Requires creating and managing a DLL file.
* May be blocked by security software.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method for making a program start at high priority depends on your technical skills, the persistence you require, and the level of control you need.

* **Task Manager:** Suitable for temporary priority adjustments and quick tests.
* **Shortcut with Command-Line Switch:** A good balance between simplicity and persistence. Ideal for programs that you frequently run at high priority.
* **Process Lasso:** The most robust and flexible solution, especially if you need advanced process management features.
* **Registry Modification:** Only recommended for advanced users with a strong understanding of Windows internals and programming. Use with extreme caution.

Potential Issues and Troubleshooting

* **System Instability:** Setting a program’s priority too high (especially to “Realtime”) can starve other processes of resources and cause system instability. If you experience issues, reduce the priority level or revert to the default.
* **Program Compatibility:** Some programs may not respond well to priority changes. If you encounter unexpected behavior, try a different method or revert to the default priority.
* **Security Software Interference:** Security software may block or interfere with attempts to change process priorities. Ensure that your security software is not preventing the desired changes.
* **UAC (User Account Control):** Some programs may require administrative privileges to run at high priority. Ensure that the program is running with administrative privileges if necessary.
* **DLL Loading Issues (Registry Method):** If the DLL is not loading correctly (registry method), check the following:
* Ensure that the DLL is in a location that the system can access.
* Verify that the `AppInit_DLLs` value in the registry is correct.
* Check the system event log for error messages related to DLL loading.
* Make sure that the DLL’s architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) matches the application.

## Conclusion

Making a program start at high priority can be a useful technique for improving the performance of resource-intensive applications. However, it’s essential to understand the implications and choose the right method based on your needs and technical skills. Always proceed with caution, especially when modifying the registry, and be prepared to troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Remember to start with a less aggressive priority increase (Above Normal) and monitor your system’s stability before setting a higher priority.