This article shows how to change the Windows process execution priority using the "Task Manager" window. Changing the execution priority of processes determines how programs and applications will have access to system resources.
Steps
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Type in the task management keywords
Your computer will be searched for the "Task Manager" system program.
Step 3. Select the Task Management item
It has a computer monitor icon and should have appeared at the top of the "Start" menu. The "Task Manager" window will appear.
Alternatively, you can press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Esc at the same time
Step 4. Go to the Details tab
It is located at the top of the "Task Manager" window. This section may appear only a few seconds after the "Task Manager" window has started.
Step 5. Find the process you want to change the priority for
Scroll through the list on the card Details until you find the process of your interest.
If you need to find the process related to a currently running program, go to the tab Processes, locate the program, select it with the right mouse button and choose the option Go to details from the context menu that appeared.
Step 6. Select the process under consideration with the right mouse button
A small drop-down menu will appear.
- If you have accessed the card Details passing by the section Processes, the process to be edited should already be highlighted in blue.
- If you are using a one-button mouse, press the right side of the pointing device or press the single button using two fingers.
- If you're using a computer with a trackpad instead of a mouse, tap it using two fingers or press the lower right side.
Step 7. Choose the Set Priority option
It is visible in the center of the context menu of the selected process. A second menu will appear to the right of the first.
Step 8. Select the priority level you want to assign to the process
Choose one of the following options you have available, starting from the highest level up to the lowest:
- Real time - guarantees the highest execution priority;
- High;
- Higher than normal;
- Normal;
- Lower than normal;
- Low - indicates the lowest execution priority level.
Step 9. Press the Change Priority button when prompted
This will confirm that you want to manually change the execution priority level of the selected program.
Remember that changing the execution priority of system processes can cause a computer deadlock
Step 10. Close the "Task Manager" window
Click the icon in the shape of X located in the upper right corner of the window.
Advice
When a program crashes, you can use the "Task Manager" system window to force it to stop. Access the card Processes of the "Task Manager" program, select the process to close and press the button End activity located in the lower right corner.
Warnings
- The "Real Time" option means that the process has the exclusive right to use all the system resources it needs, at the expense of any other process, including program and application windows. In other words, of all the priority levels that can be set, "Real time" is the highest that could cause a system crash.
- If you are using an older computer to run a program that requires a large amount of RAM, changing the priority of processes could freeze the entire system.
