TopWinPrio (still the same version)
Posted on 19. May, 2010 by Marcus in Freeware, LunaWorX.net, lwxApps
Mostly all applications in Windows are given a “Normal” priority. That means that all the programs run simultaneously and if you have a lot of programs running, all will run equally slow.
TopWinPrio checks every now and then to see what window is active at the moment. When it finds the one, it gives it higher priority than the usual normal priority. Once this window loses focus, topWinPrio gives the window its standard status back.
By default, TopWinPrio gives the active application a priority “AboveNormal”, but not “High” as many programs do. This is due to the balance of giving the active window a higher priority, meanwhile not taking priority from the drivers.
The alternative to use high priority is available, but not recommended.
Although it might make games work smoother, but do not use High priority on online games, it will conflict with your network driver’s priority and that will cause your game to lag.
TopWinPrio runs in the background and can be set to start when windows starts, just run it and forget it’s there. TopWinPrio will work in the background without you needing to do anything.
You can find some FAQ here: TopWinPrio faq
TopWinPrio has been tested on XP, Vista and Win7.
This program is written in C#, and requires .Net framework 3.5 installed.
Download TopWinPrio!
This file has been downloaded 278855 times
| Operating System: | Xp, Vista, Seven |
| Requirements: | Microsoft .net Framework 3.5 |
| Language: | C# |
If you don’t want to install it, run a virtualized version from Spoon.net
or if you don’t want the installer…
Download TopWinPrio ExeOnly!
This file has been downloaded 5099 times
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LunaWorX.net TopWinPrio
Thom
Nov 30th, 1999
I installed it. Will there be a noticeable difference in performance?
What does the “Boost Explorer” in the Boost Settings tab do? Does the box need
to be “checked/selected” in order for the other settings to work (i.e. Refresh, set active
window and force inactive window)?
Marcus
Feb 2nd, 2011
I don’t think you will gain any noticeable performance, but it makes the active program run smoother.
“Boost explorer” means that it will control the Windows Explorer priority too. You don’t need to activate it, the other programs will have their priority controlled by TopWinPrio anyway.
Jess
Sep 15th, 2010
Tried this settings:
* Don’t boost explorer
* Set active window to : AboveNormal
* Force inactive window to: BelowNormal
Works awesome!
Jacob
Nov 18th, 2010
I like it, it’s simple to configure and works perfectly!
Mr. Nobody
Nov 23rd, 2010
Can this be set to “Refresh on every focus change/window switch”?
Marcus
Nov 23rd, 2010
Not at the moment – it checks the active window by polling the window list. If I find out how to do it, I will try to add that feature in the next version of the program.
Karl
Nov 23rd, 2010
Thank you, it’s a great app. Simple so even a newbie like me can use it.
voxpop
Jan 5th, 2011
i installed topwinprio.zip file and have no clue as to whether it’s installed or not!! there is no icon or anything telling me one way or the other.
HELP
Thanks!
please email me at kerzaiwsuwp@dunflimblag.mailexpire.com
Marcus
Jan 6th, 2011
Did you open the zip-file and run the program?
Lester Shapiro
Jan 6th, 2011
Downloaded and the window comes up small with no “exit” or “close” buttons and no way to enlarge the window. Using NET.4 and have 3.5 installed as well on Windows Vista. Is there a way to see the buttons or enlarge the window for the program?
Marcus
Jan 6th, 2011
Strange, never heard of a bug like that before.
Marcus
Jan 6th, 2011
Clicking on the traybar icon will hide and show the window, he traybar menu can also end the program.
Lester Shapiro
Jan 6th, 2011
Everything seems to be working, so I will let it go on even though I am missing those buttons.
Marcus
Jan 7th, 2011
It may be that you use a bigger size on the font on your Windows and the form doesn’t really adapt to the size. I will keep this problem in mind now that I am working on a new version.
GeraldMFW
Jan 11th, 2011
In the application settings I check the “start with Windows” box but it only stays there for one boot and I have to recheck it.
Marcus
Jan 12th, 2011
That’s strange. Perhaps your antivirus doesn’t allow programs to add themselves to the autostart.
Paul
Jan 14th, 2011
would be great to have an option to run as a service (no taskbar icon) and for programs idling for 5 min can be st to low priority with an option to change cpu affinity to 0 when set at low priority.
Marcus
Jan 14th, 2011
Great Idea. I will keep it in mind.
Tina
Jan 17th, 2011
Does it run on Mac?
Marcus
Jan 17th, 2011
No unfortunately this program works only on Windows.
There is a similar application for Mac, but it’s not free (though quite cheap, $17) Blitz.
wigglerthefish
Aug 8th, 2011
Please, Please keep developing this. It is an amazing freeware. You need to set up a donations link so we can send you money to develop faster…
wigglerthefish
Aug 8th, 2011
Nevermind lol I just saw it
Cold_Burn
Aug 14th, 2011
I use topwinprio in combination with gamebooster freeware software. It smooths the games very well.
No publicity intended.
I think topwinprio manages priority in a better way.
Nevertheless, Great Work.
wigglerthefish
Aug 19th, 2011
Yes I do this too. Now I can max every game I own with almost 60 fps at 1080p.
David E Clift
Sep 24th, 2011
I am having the same problem as geraldmfw,the program will only start with Windows the first time the box is checked then will not start with the 2nd boot. I have manually entered the start command into the registry,but that disappears with the 2nd boot. I have added the programs folder to the exclusion list lof my antivirus(avast). The beta3 version would start with Windows everytime,but then other stuff didn’t work well. Right now I am using the .exe only version of the program with it’s folder in the exclusion list of my AV,but the only way I can get it to start with Windows is to create a shortcut to the program and place it in the all users startup folder. Please fix!
My computer: OS: XP pro sp3 with 3ghz P4,3GB ram,2 160 GB internal HDs & 1 500GB external HD,ATI 1024mb video card,Sound Blaster Live sound card,1 wired_1 wireless ethernet cards with cable internet,DVD/CD ROM,CD writer and an external DVD writer.
David E Clift
mal
Feb 28th, 2012
thanks for the software looking forward to using it and to see if there is a difference
Leslie
Dec 14th, 2012
I downloaded TopWinPrio — system using Vista Ultimate Service Pack 2. Program shows up in Start menu — but when I click on it, nothing happens. Please help!
Marcus
Dec 14th, 2012
Does it show in the traybar, by the clock?
Leslie
Dec 14th, 2012
Yes – it shows “LunaWorX.net TopWinPrio”
Russ
Jan 3rd, 2013
Do you have any idea why I am getting this error whenever I start or exit the program?
===
Unhandled exception has occurred in your application. If you click Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. If you click Quit, the application will close immediately.
Configuration system failed to initialize.
===
This is followed by three buttons: Details, Continue, and Quit. If I hit Continue, the application seems to run okay… but this happens all the time and it’s incredibly annoying.
I am running Framework 3.5, by the way.
Help.
I could send you the details from the error message, if you want to send me your E-mail address.
Russ
Marcus
Jan 4th, 2013
It sounds like it has problems reading or writing the settings file.
Really strange.
Did you install the program or did you just download the standalone exe?
Russ
Jan 7th, 2013
I did the full installation. It’s very perplexing. If you offer any newer versions, I might give them a try, but I’m going to uninstall the current application.
Carroll Hughes
Jan 11th, 2013
I DL’d TopWinPrio and have installed it on my PC and Acer laptop and it looks and works fine there. I DL’d and installed it on my VAIO, twice, and the application window does not show the ‘exit and close’ buttons. If I right click it on the taskbar and click ‘close’, it exits the app. I uninstalled it again because it doesn’t seem to be working correctly. Thank you
Marcus
Feb 1st, 2013
My guess is that you have an odd setting on the display, like bigger fonts than ussual or bigger windows than the ussual measures. Please mail me a screenshot so I can see if there’s anything I can do. My address is marcus @ lunaworx.net
Don Smith
Mar 30th, 2013
Will not download. Hangs up at 99%.
Marcus
Apr 7th, 2013
That’s strange. Try one of the other servers listed in the page.
Craig
Mar 31st, 2013
I can not even install it, I get the message “The system administrator has set policies to prevent this installation” I am running windows 7, 64. Not sure what else to do, this is the first time ever seeing this message. I was going to try to install as administrator but that option is not even there, can you help?
Marcus
Apr 7th, 2013
I’m sorry. Can’t help you there. You need to get the Admin rights to install the program. But you can load the exe-only and then you can run the program without installing it. As long as you have .net 3.5 installed.
Julie Holliday
Mar 31st, 2013
Have you tested this on Windows 9? Your discussion above only show it working up to windows 7. I saw this in a Kim Kommando msg but am afraid to use it unless I know that it will work on my version.
Marcus
Apr 7th, 2013
I have not tested it on Windows9x. I will though. But at the moment I can’t say if it will work or not.
Ryan
Apr 1st, 2013
Does this work on Windows 8?
Marcus
Apr 7th, 2013
Yes, it works on Windows 8, but if you have a new computer I really doubt you will need it. It will not affect the Windows 8 apps much, since they hibernate as soon as you switch app, and the current app gets all the attention.
Daryl
Apr 2nd, 2013
Does it work with windows 8?
Marcus
Apr 7th, 2013
Yes, it works on Windows 8, but if you have a new computer I really doubt you will need it. It will not affect the Windows 8 apps much, since they hibernate as soon as you switch app, and the current app gets all the attention.
Marsha
Apr 7th, 2013
Dpwnloaded but can’t install. Keep getting error codes 2502 and 2503. Any suggestions?
Marcus
Apr 7th, 2013
Oh… Error 2502 is not nice.
Check this page: http://tinyurl.com/c68bpxp
They suggest different solutions for the problem.
First Check the time & Date on your computer. Make sure it’s correct.
Method 1:
1. On the “Start” menu, click “Run.
2. In the “Open” box, type “msiexec /unreg”, and then press ENTER.
3. On the “Start” menu, click “Run”.
4. In the “Open” box, type “msiexec /regserver”, and then press ENTER.
Method 2:
Check permissions within the Installer folder. To do this, follow these steps.
1. Click on Start and in the Start Search bar > type in > c: /windows/installer.
2. Right click on c: /windows/installer at the top under programs and click properties.
3. Click on the security tab > Verify if System and Administrator account has Full access permissions.
4. The Everyone account should have read and execute permissions, List Folder Contents, and Read.
I hope one of this solutions helps you…