Quick overview:
Under Windows 2000/XP and .NET there is the possibility to control the distribution of the Processor-performance, which can mean an increase in performance for some programs. This so-called CPU priority can be set in the Task Manager, which can be accessed via CTRL+ALT+DEL. Here you right-click on the respective application under Processes, e.g. Fusion.exe (the web design program NetObjects Fusion) and specify the distribution via Set Priority. Unfortunately, Windows does not remember this setting, but you can work around this as follows: You can easily create a batch file that serves as a shortcut and start the corresponding program with a preset priority.
Note: As batch files are based on DOS, it is (unfortunately) not possible to fully specify programs that are located in directories with spaces. Therefore, references to files with folder names such as C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player are only possible if you use a ~ (tilde) after 8 letters (CTRL+ALT+~).
Example:
Echo off
Start /high D:\POWERD~1.0\PowerDVD.exe
To find out what those files are called in the form of 8.3 file names (under DOS), go to the command prompt (Start menu/All programs/Accessories) and select dir /x enter.
To access the relevant directories, you must type cd DIRECTORY NAME (as in the example with programs). To change back one directory level, simply type cd... You can change the drive by simply typing the letter followed by a colon, e.g. D:, followed by Enter, which applies to all commands.
And this is how you proceed if you want to create a link including direct setting of the CPU priority:
1. Navigate to the Windows folder and create a new directory called Priority ruleswhich is to serve as the future center of the links. Now click here with the right mouse button and select New/Text document. Now write the following lines into this:
Echo off
Start /high C:\Programme\Trillian\trillian.exe
This is only an example link, which is why you must replace the path specification with your own path to the program.
Instead of the /high parameter, you can use the following options to set the CPU priority:
- /Realtime: The entire performance is allocated to the CPU, although I cannot recommend this as the system could become very unstable.
- High: Most of the CPU power is used for the program.
- AboveNormal: The application is allocated slightly more than the usual processor resources (approx. 10-30 % above the average).
- /Normal: This should be clear, although this makes no sense here as it is the default setting.
- /BelowNormal: The processor only allocates half as many resources to the program as usual.
- Low: The CPU pays little attention to the desired application and processes it very slowly.
2. Click on File/Save as and save this, as in our example, as Trillian.batwhere under File type still on All Files so that you can change the file extension from .txt to .bat.
3. create from the folder C:\WINDOWS\Priority rules Now create shortcuts to each of these .bat files on the desktop and label them with the icon of the corresponding program: Right-click on the file and select Properties select - then click on Change Icon and navigate to the program folder.
From now on, you can start your programs with the desired priority without having to use the task manager every time.
This trick was created in connection with an article in the forum, which was answered by the sensational B3n3.
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