Windows 10: GPU not available as graphics preference in windows settings

Hello, I am having issues getting some programs to utilize my dedicated graphics card on my laptop over the default integrated graphics. Normally this GPU would appear as the the high performance option in graphics settings but it is no longer there and I cant force certain apps to use it. As you can see windows still recognizes the GPU in control panel however I am unable to select it as the preferred option for some applications. I have already tried selecting the preferred GPU through the Nvidia control panel however it still reverts back to integrated graphics. I have also tried reinstalli

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GPU preference not working; what's the workaround?

I have a laptop in a docking station on which I cannot select GPU preference at autostart. The laptop has one integrated Intel GPU and one "extra" Nvidia GPU.

I can select GPU preference clicking the context menu which has the intended effect: my program reports Intel/Nvidia as graphics vendor as expected (using OpenGL API glGetString(GL_VENDOR)). However the application is supposed to be autostarted (semi-embedded scenario) and for what I know I cannot autostart it using a context menu (right?)

I've tried editing the windows registry, both manually and using the "Graphics Settings". Both GPU show up (Intel as Power Saving GPU, Nvidia as High Performance GPU). Despite what I set here the application says it is running the Intel GPU. Editing the registry I've tried setting both the program and system default GPU preference - with no effect whatsoever.

Starting the Nvidia control panel to set GPU preference opens a dialog saying "no display connected" and exits. Looking into dxdiag the display is connected to the Intel GPU, and there is another tab labeled "Render" where the Nvidia GPU is listed as "Render only display device". Maybe important, maybe not.

Google searches pulls me to pages where above solutions are suggested. They are obviously not working out for me.

I suspect the docking station is to blame since it works just fine without it.

Question: How to autostart my application with Nvidia GPU preferred, considering registry and Nvidia Control Panel fails and opening using context menu selection works?

Reading this discussion on docking station GPU issue, I followed the advice of one comment to configure duplicate displays instead of extended and registry GpuPreference=2 as default. Works great, but I'm not to happy about being limited to display duplication, and my program halts when switching between the modes, hence leaving the question open.

 

Custom Driver : Intel HD Graphics & ATI Combo (Alpha) - by nIGHTmAYOR

according to laptop support page they do list an old downloadable driver for intel for windows 7 , weather this is related to there being several variants of that laptop or this laptop has switchable graphics i may just suggest you reset the bios and see if things change , if yes you may be able to apply step 2 , if not then apply step 4 and call it today , you are still better off being on the high performance gpu .

Out of curiosity can you take a snap shot from Settings > System > Display. Scroll down and click the “Graphics Settings” ?

 

Is there a way to force a program to use a secondary GPU?

Hi Zeond1987,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Community.

Are you getting any error message?

If you have a multi-GPU system running Windows 10, you can now manually specify the preferred graphics processor an app should use for performance or to improve battery life.

In order to force an app to use a discrete GPU instead of the integrated one, or vice versa to provide better system performance or battery life, I suggest you to follow the below steps.

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

2. Click on Display on the left side

3. Under “Multiple displays,” click the Advanced graphics settings link.

4. Select the kind of app you want to configured using the drop-down menu:

Classic app — these are your traditional Win32 desktop programs.

Universal app — these are those app available through the Microsoft Store.

5. If you select Classic app, you’ll need to click the Browse button to locate the “.exe” file to add the app. Otherwise, if you select the Universal app option, you’ll see a second drop-down menu to select the app.

6. Select the app you added from the list.

7. Click the Options button

8. Set the graphics preference you want to use:

System default — this is always the default setting, and Windows 10 decide which GPU to use automatically.

Power saving — runs the application on the GPU that uses the least power, which most of the time is your integrated graphics processor.

High performance — runs the application on the most capable GPU, which is most of the time an external or discrete graphics processor.

9. Click the Save button.

I also recommend you to update the GTX 1080 drivers from the manufacturer website, and
Check if that work.

Hope it helps,

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