How to Change the Default Graphics Card in Windows 10 and Windows 11

In modern versions of Windows – Windows 10 and Windows 11 – the system often automatically decides which graphics card to use for different applications. However, if you have both integrated and dedicated graphics cards, you can manually select which device to use for each app. This guide explains how to change the default graphics card in Windows 10 and Windows 11 to optimize your computer’s performance.

Steps to Change the Default Graphics Card in Windows 10

  1. Open Windows Settings: Press Win + I to open "Settings".
  2. Go to the "System" Section: Select "System" and then "Display" from the left menu.
  3. Choose "Graphics Settings": Scroll down and click on "Graphics settings". Here, you can configure settings for individual applications.
  4. Add an App: Click "Browse" and choose the app you want to set the default graphics card for. Then, click "Add".
  5. Set the Graphics Processor: After adding the app, click "Options" under its name. You’ll see three choices: System Default, Power Saving (usually integrated graphics), and High Performance (dedicated graphics card).
  6. Select "High Performance": Choose "High performance" if you want the app to use the dedicated graphics card, then click "Save".

Steps to Change the Default Graphics Card in Windows 11

  1. Open Windows Settings: Press Win + I to open "Settings".
  2. Go to the "System" Section: From the left menu, select "System" and then click on "Display".
  3. Select "Graphics Settings": Scroll down to find "Graphics settings" and click on it.
  4. Add the Desired App: Click "Browse" to add the app you want to set the default graphics card for, then click "Add".
  5. Adjust Graphics Settings: Click "Options" next to the added app and choose between Power Saving and High Performance, where the latter option uses the dedicated graphics card.
  6. Save Your Settings: After selecting an option, click "Save" to apply the changes.

Alternative Ways to Change the Default Graphics Card

If you use NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards, you can also set your GPU preferences through their control panels:

  • For NVIDIA: Open the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to "Manage 3D settings", and select the program you want to customize. Choose the preferred graphics processor and apply the settings.
  • For AMD: Use the AMD Radeon Settings to select the default graphics card for different applications.