How to Adjust Processor Scheduling for Best Performance in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8

There are a finite number of resources that are available for a computer's CPU. Windows manages these resources automatically, and can allocate tasks between processors or manage multiple processes on a single processor.
By default, Windows puts a priority on the foreground programs. The added processing resources cause programs to respond more quickly. However, if you have background services, such as printing or disk backup that run while you work and you want them to respond faster, you can have Windows share processor resources equally between background and foreground programs.
This tutorial will show you how to adjust processor scheduling to have Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 manage processor resources for the best performance between foreground programs and background services.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to adjust processor scheduling.
By default, Windows puts a priority on the foreground programs. The added processing resources cause programs to respond more quickly. However, if you have background services, such as printing or disk backup that run while you work and you want them to respond faster, you can have Windows share processor resources equally between background and foreground programs.
This tutorial will show you how to adjust processor scheduling to have Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 manage processor resources for the best performance between foreground programs and background services.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to adjust processor scheduling.

If you are using your Windows PC as a server, allocating more resources to background services is recommended.
Otherwise, it is recommended to leave processor scheduling set for the best performance of foreground programs. Temporarily setting to background services as needed is fine to allow them to respond and finish quicker, then set back to programs when finished.
The Programs option allocates short, variable time slices, or quanta, to running programs, while the Background services option assigns long, fixed quanta.
Otherwise, it is recommended to leave processor scheduling set for the best performance of foreground programs. Temporarily setting to background services as needed is fine to allow them to respond and finish quicker, then set back to programs when finished.
The Programs option allocates short, variable time slices, or quanta, to running programs, while the Background services option assigns long, fixed quanta.
- Programs to assign more processor resources to the foreground program than the background program. This will result in a smoother, faster response time for your foreground program.
- Background services to assign equal amounts of processor resources to all programs.
OPTION ONE
To Adjust Processor Scheduling in Performance Options
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open System.
2. In Windows 8, open the :winkey: + X Power Users Tasks menu, click/tap on System, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
3. In all Windows, open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on System, and go to step 4 below.
4. In the left pane, click/tap on Advanced system settings. (see screenshot below)
5. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista). Close the System window.
6. In the Advanced tab of "System Properties", click/tap on the Settings button under Performance. (see screenshot below)
7. Click/tap on the Advanced tab, and do step 8 or 9 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
8. To Adjust Processor Scheduling for Best Performance of Programs
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Programs, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 7)
9. To Adjust Processor Scheduling for Best Performance of Background Services
A) Select (dot) Background services, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 7)
10. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6)
OPTION TWO
To Adjust Processor Scheduling using REG File

The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl
Win32PrioritySeparation DWORD
2 = Default for programs
26 = Programs
18 = Background services
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl
Win32PrioritySeparation DWORD
2 = Default for programs
26 = Programs
18 = Background services
1. Do step 2, 3 , or 4 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Adjust Processor Scheduling to Default
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Set_Processor_scheduling_to_Default.reg
3. To Adjust Processor Scheduling for Best Performance of Programs
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Set_Processor_scheduling_for_Programs.reg
4. To Adjust Processor Scheduling for Best Performance of Background Services
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Set_Processor_scheduling_for_Background-services.reg
4. Save the REG file to your desktop.
5. Double click/tap on the REG file to merge it.
6. Click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7/8) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted to approve the merge.
7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Set Processor Affinity to an Application in Windows 7
- How to Set Processor Affinity for an Application in Windows 8
- How to Add or Remove "Run with CPU Affinity" to the Context Menu
- How to Set Priority Level for Applications and Processes in Windows 7
- How to Set CPU Priority Level of Processes in Windows 8
- How to Add or Remove "Run with Priority" to Context Menu of EXE Files in Windows
- How to Create a Shortcut to Run an Application with a Specific CPU Priority in Windows
- How to Add or Remove "Minimum processor state" and "Maximum processor state" in Power Options in Windows
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