How to Reset GPU Preferences for Apps to Default in Windows 10


Starting with Windows 10 build 17093, Microsoft is introducing a new Graphics settings page for Multi-GPU systems that allows you to manage the graphics performance preference of your apps. You may be familiar with similar graphics control panels from AMD and Nvidia, and you can continue to use those control panels. When you set an application preference in the Windows Graphics settings, that will take precedence over the other control panel settings.

This new setting allows you to specify which GPU you prefer to use by default for specific Store (universal) and Desktop (classic) apps. Preferences may provide better app performance or save battery life. Choices may not take effect until the next time the app launches.

Generally, the power saving GPU is the integrated GPU on a system, and the high performance GPU is the discrete GPU or external GPU. If you have both a discrete GPU and an external GPU on a system, the external GPU is considered the high performance GPU.

Applications are always allowed to have the ultimate choice of which GPU to use, so you may see additional applications that do not follow the preferences you set. In that case, look for a setting within the application itself to choose a preference.

Starting with Windows 10 build 19564, Microsoft updated the Graphics settings page (Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings), allowing for better control over designating which GPU your apps run on. With this update, the app list and GPU preference are pre-populated on a best effort basis to improve the default preference management experience. If your desired app isn’t pre-populated, you can still add it by using the app selection drop-down. You’ll notice alongside this, Microsoft also added a search box and a filter for the list of apps.

Starting with Windows 10 build 20190, Microsoft has made the following improvements:
  • Updated the Graphics Settings to allow users to specify a default high performance GPU.
  • Updated the Graphics Settings to allow users to pick a specific GPU on a per application basis.

This tutorial will show you how to reset to default the GPU graphics performance preference for apps settings for your account in Windows 10.


Contents

  • Option One: Reset to Default GPU Preferences for All Apps using REG file
  • Option Two: Reset to Default GPU Preferences for Specific Apps in Settings


EXAMPLE: Default graphics performance preference settings
How to Reset GPU Preferences for Apps to Default in Windows 10-default_gpu_prefences_for_apps.png






OPTION ONE

Reset to Default GPU Preferences for All Apps using REG file


This option will remove all added apps, and reset the GPU performance preference to the default Let Windows decide (Power saving) for all default apps listed in your Graphics settings page.


1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.

Reset_all_Preferred_GPU_for_Apps_settings_to_default_for_current_user.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference.)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectX]

2 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

3 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

4 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

5 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.






OPTION TWO

Reset to Default GPU Preferences for Specific Apps in Settings


1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the System icon.

2 Click/tap on Display on the left side, and click/tap on the Graphics settings link on the right side. (see screenshot below)

How to Reset GPU Preferences for Apps to Default in Windows 10-reset_preferred_gpu_for_app-1.jpg

3 Click/tap on a listed default app (ex: "Camera") you want to reset the GPU performance preferences for, and click/tap on Reset. (see screenshot below)

The Reset button will not be available for added apps. It will only be available for the apps included by default.

How to Reset GPU Preferences for Apps to Default in Windows 10-reset_preferred_gpu_for_app-2.png

4 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


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