Minecraft Not Using Your GPU? Set the Right App to High Performance

If Minecraft is using the wrong graphics processor, set the game itself to High performance in Windows Graphics settings, then restart it. The key is choosing the correct entry: Java Edition renders through javaw.exe, while Bedrock on Windows appears as Minecraft for Windows. Changing the launcher’s preference alone may not affect the running game.

Integrated graphics are a GPU too, and Minecraft can run on them, especially with modest settings. A high-performance preference asks Windows to use the stronger adapter when one is available; it cannot guarantee a higher frame rate if the CPU, game settings, cooling, or another limit is the bottleneck. Microsoft explains the difference between integrated and discrete graphics in its GPU overview.

Identify your Minecraft edition first

On a Windows PC, Java Edition and Bedrock Edition use different app entries. Java’s launcher starts the game’s Java process; Bedrock is listed as Minecraft for Windows in Windows graphics preferences. If you are unsure which version you play, check the game tile in the Launcher or compare the editions in Minecraft’s Java and Bedrock guide.

Set Minecraft to use the high-performance GPU

Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics on Windows 11. On Windows 10, open Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings. Menu wording can vary slightly by Windows build; searching Start for Graphics settings is a quick way to find the page. Microsoft’s current instructions use the Graphics page and the per-app High performance option.

1. Open the Graphics page using the Windows version’s path above. In Windows 10, look for the app-selection controls on the Graphics settings page; in Windows 11, use Add an app or Add desktop app under Custom options for apps.
2. Add the game process, not only the launcher.
   • For Java Edition: Start Minecraft and load a world. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select Details, and find javaw.exe. Right-click it and choose Open file location. In Graphics settings, add a Desktop app, browse to that exact executable, and add it. Java installations and launcher profiles can use different runtime folders, so use the file location from the running game rather than copying a path from another PC.

     

   • For Bedrock Edition: choose the Microsoft Store app option (called Universal app on some Windows 10 builds), select Minecraft for Windows, and add it. If you play a Preview installation, choose its matching app entry.
3. Choose High performance. Select the Minecraft entry you just added, choose Options, select High performance, and select Save. If Windows names the adapter, check that it is the GPU you intend to use. The available options depend on the graphics hardware and driver. Microsoft’s Graphics settings instructions also advise saving the preference and restarting the app.
4. Close and relaunch Minecraft. Exit the game completely, then start the same edition or launcher profile again. The preference takes effect when the app starts; changing it while the world is running may not switch the current session.

Check which GPU Minecraft is using

Load a world, then open Task Manager and go to Processes. If the GPU engine column is hidden, right-click a column heading such as CPU or Memory and enable it. Check javaw.exe for Java Edition or the Minecraft for Windows process for Bedrock while the game is rendering. A value such as GPU 1 – 3D identifies an engine, not a universal adapter name: open Task Manager’s Performance tab and match GPU 1 (or GPU 0) to the listed Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA adapter. The numbers can be reversed on another PC. Microsoft’s GPU overview for Surface Book also uses Task Manager’s GPU Engine column to identify the adapter used by an app.

If Minecraft still uses the integrated GPU

• Make sure Windows sees both adapters. Open Device Manager and expand Display adapters. If you see only Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, install the correct driver from Windows Update or the computer/GPU manufacturer. Microsoft explains how to identify and replace the generic driver in its Microsoft Basic Display Adapter guide.
• Recheck the exact Java executable. A custom launcher, profile, or runtime update can change which javaw.exe starts the world. Add the executable shown by the current game process, then save and restart again.
• Use Windows’ preference first on NVIDIA laptops. NVIDIA notes that, beginning with Windows 10 version 20H1, Windows can override the per-app preferred-graphics-processor setting in NVIDIA Control Panel. Set the preference in Windows Graphics settings; see NVIDIA’s preferred graphics processor guidance.
• Check laptop power and performance modes. Connect the charger while testing and review any manufacturer performance or hybrid-graphics control. Some laptops reduce discrete-GPU use on battery.
• Separate GPU selection from low frame rate. If Task Manager shows the intended GPU, the selection worked even if FPS remains low. Try lowering render distance, disabling shaders or demanding resource packs, and checking the game’s frame-rate cap. Minecraft can be limited by CPU load or thermal throttling rather than the GPU.