How to Start an Application with Low Priority?

When you start an application on your computer, it is automatically assigned a priority level by the operating system that determines how much CPU time an app gets compared to other processes. By default, most applications begin with normal priority, which allows them to have an equal share of system resources.

Sometimes, though, you want to be able to launch an application with low priority—i.e., when you’re using the PC for a background task, such as video encoding or file downloads—or perform heavy data crunching. By giving it lower priority, you’re making sure that the app doesn’t slow down your system or disrupt more pressing tasks, such as browsing, gaming, or productivity work. Apart from this context, you can also read the article on – how to stop applications from opening on startup.

Why Start an Application with Low Priority?

Improved multitasking – Prevents apps from hogging CPU time.
Smooth operation – It can minimize lag when operating high-performance software.
Background tasks – Great for things that will take some time, and you don’t care about right away.
Energy saver – Helps you optimize CPU usage for your computer and keeps it more balanced in the appropriate mode.

Methods to Start Applications with Low Priority

Using Task Manager (Windows)

Open the application normally.
You can open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Go to the Details tab.
Right-click on the program’s process → Set Priority → Low.

⚠️ It is only true for this session. If you reboot the app, it returns to normal priority.

Using Command Prompt (Windows)

And you can also start an app with low priority in the first place using the start command:

start /low notepad.exe

Replace notepad. exe and replace prgm_name with the name of the program you want to execute.

Using a Shortcut (Windows)

If you always run an app on a low-priority side, then you can create your own shortcuts for the apps:

Right click on the desktop→ New→ Shortcut.
Just type the command with /low at the end.

cmd. exe /c start /low "App Name" "C:\Path\to\application. exe"

Name your shortcut and save.
Now you can double-click on this shortcut to launch the app as low priority.

Linux / macOS

The priority of a process to be executed under a Unix-like OS is changed by using the nice command.

nice -n 19 my_program

19, the lowest priority (10 being the most “nice”).
Change my_program to your application command or path.
To an existing process, you can:

renice +19 -p <PID>

Best Practices

Critical system services should never be set to low priority, or your system may become unstable.
Only assign it to apps you don’t mind being a bit laggy.
Integrates with scheduled tasks, allowing the application to run during your idle hours.
Monitor performance using Task Manager or top in Linux to observe this.

Conclusion

Opening an app with a low priority is a straightforward but effective method to boost multitasking and keep your PC responsive. Whether you’re on Windows, Linux, or macOS, utilities like start, nice, and Task Manager make managing process priorities relatively simple. In this way, heavy background operations won’t disrupt your regular workflow.