How to Change Process Priorities in Windows Task Manager

Hold down the keys Ctrl+Alt+Delete all at the same time.,Click on the "Processes" tab (2nd from left) , If you don't know which process you want, you can go to the "Applications" (left-most) tab, right-click on the window or program you want to...

18 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Hold down the keys Ctrl+Alt+Delete all at the same time.

    A window will pop up, called "Windows Task Manager".

    If not, a window with various options will pop up; click on "Task Manager".

    Alternatively, the keyboard shortcut to go directly to Task Manager is Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc Another option is, right click on the task bar, anywhere on the empty space, you will see options, click on the Task Manager.
  2. Step 2: Click on the "Processes" tab (2nd from left)

    ,,, (These are underlined in the pop-up window.) These priority names are intuitively obvious; they mean just what they say.

    The priority level starts out at "Normal"

    and stays there unless YOU change it.

    The higher (or lower) you set the program's 'priority'

    the more (or fewer) system resources will be allocated to it, so it will run faster (or slower) than it did before. "Low"

    for example, is fine for a program running in background that you do not need to have finish up soon, so that more resources are freed up. "Realtime" is best for something that absolutely has to have maximum resources right now! ,, Once you have right-clicked on the process, just hit the letter "p" to choose "Priority"

    then the letter that corresponds to your desired level (e.g., "A" for "Above normal"), then "Y" for "yes".

    A lot faster than mousing or clicking!
  3. Step 3: If you don't know which process you want

  4. Step 4: you can go to the "Applications" (left-most) tab

  5. Step 5: right-click on the window or program you want to speed up

  6. Step 6: and click on "Go to Process" - takes you right there!

  7. Step 7: Now right-click on the process you want to speed up.

  8. Step 8: Mouse over "Set Priority"

  9. Step 9: OR just press the letter "p" on the keyboard

  10. Step 10: and click on the priority level you want for your program

  11. Step 11: press the shortcut letter: L=Low

  12. Step 12: B=Below Normal

  13. Step 13: N=Normal

  14. Step 14: A=Above Normal

  15. Step 15: H=High

  16. Step 16: R=Realtime.

  17. Step 17: Click "yes" when a confirmation window pops up.

  18. Step 18: You can vastly speed up this three-stroke process of choosing the priority level by using the keyboard.

Detailed Guide

A window will pop up, called "Windows Task Manager".

If not, a window with various options will pop up; click on "Task Manager".

Alternatively, the keyboard shortcut to go directly to Task Manager is Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc Another option is, right click on the task bar, anywhere on the empty space, you will see options, click on the Task Manager.

,,, (These are underlined in the pop-up window.) These priority names are intuitively obvious; they mean just what they say.

The priority level starts out at "Normal"

and stays there unless YOU change it.

The higher (or lower) you set the program's 'priority'

the more (or fewer) system resources will be allocated to it, so it will run faster (or slower) than it did before. "Low"

for example, is fine for a program running in background that you do not need to have finish up soon, so that more resources are freed up. "Realtime" is best for something that absolutely has to have maximum resources right now! ,, Once you have right-clicked on the process, just hit the letter "p" to choose "Priority"

then the letter that corresponds to your desired level (e.g., "A" for "Above normal"), then "Y" for "yes".

A lot faster than mousing or clicking!

About the Author

R

Ronald Thomas

A seasoned expert in lifestyle and practical guides, Ronald Thomas combines 9 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Ronald's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.

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