01
Open Windows gaming settings
Open **Settings** and select **Gaming**. Locate **Game Mode** and switch it on.
tipGame Mode can help prioritize gaming workloads, but the effect varies by system.
Enable Windows 11 Game Mode and review graphics preferences for your emulator. This setup targets mid-range PCs and helps reduce avoidable background interference, but it cannot compensate for insufficient hardware or an incompatible emulator.
Requirements
- Windows 11 25H2, build 26200.
- A working emulator such as Dolphin from https://dolphin-emu.org/ or RetroArch from https://www.retroarch.com/.
- A Windows user account with permission to change gaming and graphics settings.
Instructions
02
Review graphics preferences
Open **Settings**, select **System**, then **Display**, and open **Graphics**. Find your emulator in the application list or add its executable if it is missing.
03
Choose a graphics preference
Select the emulator, open **Options**, and choose **High performance** if your system has a dedicated GPU and the emulator should use it. Save the preference.
tipOn some systems, Windows may already select the appropriate GPU. Compare performance before and after changing this option.
04
Keep background apps under control
Close unnecessary recording tools, browser tabs, launchers, and other CPU- or GPU-intensive applications before starting the emulator. Avoid disabling essential Windows services or security protection.
⚠ warningDo not use bulk debloat scripts to change gaming performance settings. They can break unrelated Windows features.
05
Test a representative game
Run a game that previously showed inconsistent frame pacing. For Dolphin, test a known scene in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!; for RetroArch, test a supported 2D game with shaders disabled.
tipCompare the same scene and resolution, and change one Windows setting at a time.
06
Check results and preserve stability
If performance is unchanged, restore the original graphics preference and check emulator-specific settings, GPU drivers, and system temperatures instead. Keep Windows updates enabled.
Common issues
Game Mode is missing.
Open Settings > Gaming and verify the Windows edition and build. Install available Windows updates and check whether the settings page is restricted by an administrator.
The emulator uses the integrated GPU.
Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, select the emulator executable, and set its preference to High performance where available.
Performance gets worse after changing settings.
Restore the previous graphics preference, restart the emulator, and compare the same game scene at the same resolution.
Game Mode does not increase FPS.
That is normal when the emulator is already running efficiently. Investigate the emulator's graphics backend, internal resolution, CPU limits, and frame pacing.
Frequently asked
Does Game Mode improve every emulator?
No. Results depend on the emulator, hardware, background workload, and game.
Should I set every application to High performance?
No. Apply the preference only to applications that benefit from the dedicated GPU.
Does this work on Windows 10?
The guide targets Windows 11 25H2. Windows 10 left standard support on October 14, 2025.
How to undo this
Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and restore its previous state. Return to System > Display > Graphics and restore the emulator's original GPU preference. Reopen any applications you closed for testing.
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