Preferred GPU Changer

A lightweight application that restores the "Run with graphics processor" context menu option, allowing you to easily select a preferred GPU for any application without navigating through complex settings.

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✨ Background

With the release of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (20H1), Microsoft altered how users can select a GPU for specific applications. As a result, the familiar "Run with graphics processor" option was removed from the NVIDIA Control Panel and the right-click context menu.

Now, to force an application to use a specific GPU, users must:

1. Open Windows Display Settings.
2. Navigate to Graphics Settings under Advanced Display Settings.
3. Browse for the application's executable file.
4. Select the application and click Options to open the GPU selection window.
5. Choose the preferred GPU and save the settings.

While this method works, it is tedious, especially if you need to frequently switch GPUs for different applications.

To simplify this process, I developed an application that restores the "Run with graphics processor" option to the right-click context menu. This tool allows you to select the GPU directly from the context menu, just like before.

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🛠️ How It Works

The Preferred GPU Changer application works by directly modifying the Windows Registry to set the GPU preference for a specific application.

The application checks the current GPU preference for the specified application by querying the Windows Registry:

• It opens the registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\DirectX\UserGpuPreferences.
• It searches for the application name within the registry values and checks the GPU preference associated with it.

The possible GPU preference values are:

• GpuPreference=0: Let Windows Choose
• GpuPreference=1: Power Saving GPU
• GpuPreference=2: High Performance GPU

If no preference is found, it defaults to GpuPreference=0, which means the system chooses automatically.

Once the current GPU setting is retrieved, the application sets the new GPU preference by adding a new registry entry or modifying the existing one. After updating the GPU preference, the application is then launched.

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⚙️ Getting Started

1. Download the Installer

   • Visit the Releases page of this repository to download the latest installer.

2. Install the Application

   • Once the installer is downloaded, run it and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

3. Use the Context Menu Option

   • After installation, simply right-click on any executable (.exe) file or application.
   • You will see a "Run with graphics processor" option in the context menu. Select it to choose the GPU you want to use for that application.

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🔧 Usage

Right-click on the executable file or its shortcut to open the context menu. You’ll see the following options

Temporary GPU Settings: These options apply only while the application is running. The settings revert to default once the application is closed:

• Power Saving: Runs the application on the power-saving GPU.
• High Performance: Runs the application on the high-performance GPU.

Permanent GPU Settings: These options set a permanent GPU preference for the application, lasting until changed via this menu or Windows Graphics Settings:

• Default (Permanent): Resets the GPU preference to the system default.
• Power Saving (Permanent): Forces the application to always use the power-saving GPU.
• High Performance (Permanent): Forces the application to always use the high-performance GPU.

Note: Temporary settings are ideal for one-time tasks, while permanent settings are useful for applications with specific GPU requirements.

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🚀 Contribution

Contributions are welcome! Feel free to open issues, submit PRs, or suggest improvements to make this tool more valuable.