FIX: Can't set priority in Task Manager on Windows 10/11

If you encounter this issue, then you should check our solutions

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Key notes

  • In some instances, it might be necessary that you change the priority of a certain process in Task Manager.
  • Unfortunately, many users reported that they can’t set priority in Task Manager, but there’s a way to fix that.
  • If you want to learn more about Task Manager, we have dedicated articles for it.
  • You can also find more helpful guides in our FIX category. 

Sometimes you might need to change the priority of a certain process in Task Manager. However, users reported that they can’t set the priority in Task Manager on Windows 10.

This can be a problem, and in this article, we’re going to show you a quick fix once and for all if you are unable to change priority.

Why can’t I change priority in Task Manager?

Usually, you might want to change priority in Task Manager so Windows will allocate a big part of its capacity to your preferred process for better performance.

This error may appear for all processes on your system or with a specific process on all systems, but you don’t have to worry as we have a few solutions prepared.

What do I do if I can’t set priority in Task Manager on Windows 10?

1. Go to Safe Mode

  1. Open the Start Menu, click the Power button, press and hold the Shift key, and select Restart.
    restart PC can't set priority in task manager windows 10
  2. Now go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings and click on Restart.
  3. Once the PC restarts, press F4 or F5 to enter Safe Mode.
  4. After entering the Safe Mode, check if the problem is still there.

If there’s no problem in Safe Mode, it’s rather likely that your settings or installed applications are causing this issue, so you might want to try disabling certain applications and check if that helps.

2. Show processes from all users

  1. Make sure that you’re using an administrator account.
  2. Open Task Manager.
  3. Now click on Show processes from all users.
  4. After doing that, try to change the priority and check if the problem is resolved.

3. Make sure that Administrators have full control

  1. Start Task Manager.
  2. Locate the process whose priority you want to change.
  3. Right-click the process and choose Properties.
    task manager properties can't set priority in task manager windows 10
  4. Go to the Security tab and click on Edit.
    edit security settings can't set priority in task manager windows 10
  5. Select Administrators and check the Full control option in the Allow Now click Apply and OK to save changes.
    full control permission can't set priority in task manager windows 10

You can also give Full control to the Users group, but that comes with some minor security risks.

4. Disable User Account Control

  1. Press Windows Key + S and enter user control. Select Change User Account Control settings.
    change user account control settings can't set priority in task manager windows 10
  2. Now move the slider all the way down to Never notify. Click OK to save changes.
    never notify user change user account control settings

After doing that, User Account Control will be disabled, and you should be able to change the priority of your processes.

If Task Manager can’t change priority, it’s rather likely that your settings are causing the problem, but you should be able to fix the problem after using our solutions.

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