How to Run an Application at High Priority in Windows

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Improve an app's performance with elevated priority

Co-authored by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: April 2, 2026 Fact Checked

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Using a Batch File

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Editing the Registry

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Changing Priority in Task Manager

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Do your apps tend to lag or stutter? Raising a program’s priority setting in Windows increases the allotted CPU resources for that app, which can improve performance and speed.^{[1]
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Research source} In this article, we’ll teach you how to create a simple file that will launch a specified app at high priority any time you run it. Alternatively, you can permanently change a program’s priority by editing the registry. We’ll also show you how to change or check an active app’s priority in Task Manager.

Setting an Application to High Priority

Launch an app at high priority any time by running a batch file with the command cmd /c start "" /high "C:\Path\To\App.exe".
If you want to permanently change a program’s priority, you can do so by editing the registry.
Check or change a program’s priority level at any time by right-clicking it in the Task Manager and selecting Set priority.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Batch File

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Any basic text editor will work, but Notepad is a convenient option since it’s included with Windows. In this method, you’ll create a file with a simple command that will allow you to execute a specific program at high priority any time you start it up.
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Enter the command cmd /c start "" /high "C:\Path\To\App.exe". Replace “C:\Path\To\App.exe” with the actual path to the app you want to start at high priority (but keep the quotation marks).
- For example, if you’re trying to start Photoshop at high priority, you might enter the command cmd /c start "" /high "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2024\Photoshop.exe".
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bat extension. Go to File and choose Save As. You can name the file whatever you like, as long as it ends in “.bat”. For example, you could call your file “PhotoshopPriority.bat.” Choose All Files from the “Save as type” menu.
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Double-click the batch file to run the app at high priority. Double-clicking the batch file should cause the command in the file to execute. This will launch your program at high priority.
- If you’re having trouble getting the batch file to run, check out our guide to running a BAT file on Windows.
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Create a taskbar shortcut using your batch file (optional). Normally, you can only pin .exe files to your taskbar in Windows. This workaround will allow you to pin your batch file to the taskbar for quick and easy access. To do this:
- Right-click your desktop and select New > Shortcut.
- Enter the path to the batch file in the dialog box.
- Once the shortcut is created, right-click it and select More > Pin to taskbar.
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Set the batch file to run when your computer starts (optional). If you want the program to automatically start at high priority whenever you start up your computer, you can easily do so with the Task Scheduler (not to be confused with the Task Manager). To do this:
- Search for “Task Scheduler” in the Start menu, then right-click the result and select Run as administrator.
- Click Action > Create Basic Task. It’s in the menu bar at the top of the Task Scheduler window. You can also select Create Basic Task from the Actions pane on the right side of the window.
- Give your task a name. For example, “Photoshop High Prio.” Click Next.
- Select When the computer starts as your trigger, then click Next.
- On the Action screen, select Start a program. Click Next again.
- Click Browse and select the batch file you created. Select Next > Finish. The app will launch at high priority next time you restart your computer.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Editing the Registry

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Back up your registry before you begin. This method allows you to set a program to always run at high priority. Keep in mind that editing the registry can be risky. If you change the wrong thing, you could damage or destabilize your system. Create a backup before you start.
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Launch the Registry Editor. Open your Start menu and search for “registry”. Right-click Registry Editor in the results and select Run as administrator. You may be prompted to allow the Registry Editor to make changes to your computer. If so, click Yes.
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Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options. Use the left menu bar to navigate to the Image File Execution Options subfolder.
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Right-click the folder and select New > Key. A new key folder will appear in the left-hand menu bar.
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Name the key after the app you want to start at high priority. You must use the exact same name for the program that appears in the Task Manager. For example, if you want to launch Microsoft Edge at high priority, it may appear in your Task Manager as “msedge.exe.”
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Create a new key called PerfOptions. Right-click the new key and select New > Key. Rename the new key PerfOptions.
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Create a new DWORD value. Right-click the PerfOptions key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. The new value will appear in the right-hand pane. Rename it CpuPriorityClass.
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Set the DWORD’s value data to 3. Double-click the DWORD. In the Value data field, enter 3. Click OK.
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Restart your computer. Next time you start the program, it should run at high priority.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Changing Priority in Task Manager

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Use this method after you’ve already started the app. This method won’t cause your app to launch at high priority, but it’s a quick fix if you want to change the priority after the app is already running. You can also use the Task Manager to check the priority of an app or process after you’ve used one of the methods above.
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Open the Task Manager. You can easily do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
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Click the Details tab. It’s on the left side of the window in Windows 11, or the top in Windows 10.
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Right-click the program you want to run at high priority. Scroll through the list of apps until you find the one you’re looking for. It should be called something like [app name].exe. Right-click it to open a context menu.
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Select Set Priority > High. Confirm your change by clicking Set priority in the dialog box that opens.
- This method won’t permanently change the priority of the program. Next time you launch it, it will start at normal priority (unless you’ve used one of the methods above to change it).
- You can see the current priority of a program or process by clicking or hovering over the Set priority option. There will be a black dot next to the current priority setting.