▷ How to activate all processor cores in windows

Today we will help you know how to activate all the processor cores in Windows in the simplest way. It is not strange to have a processor with 2, 4, 8 or even 16 core, which offer great processing potential, but not all users know how to take advantage of the best way. In this article we talk about how you can use all the processor cores to make your PC run faster.

What are multi-core processors and how to activate them all in Windows

Processors began supplying us with multiple cores in 1996. Apparently, the first commercial multi-core processor was an IBM Power4 rated at 1 GHz. Since then, the main processor manufacturers have been manufacturing multi-core processors for our consumption. A processor "core" is a separate processing unit in a processor die. A processing unit is essentially the main part of a processor, in addition to cache memory and other supporting architecture. The idea is that a multicore processor can use each core working at a much faster speed to offer improved performance.

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In reality, multicore processors are completely dependent on the software that is written to use this additional power. Not all programs can make full use of this power, so the benefits of multiple cores vary. Newer and more advanced programs can use all cores, while older or lower-budget programs will not.

Many games and other heavy processor applications really require the power of multi-core CPU. However, even if you have a dual-core, quad-core, six-core processor, you don't have a guarantee that everyone is always working. By default, Windows will run all your cores. However, in some circumstances, applications will set their active cores below maximum. Problems arise when the Windows operating system never re-enables all cores. If you have experienced a drastic decrease in system performance, this could be your quick solution.

In some circumstances, Windows 7 and Windows 8 will disable certain cores. Often this is to save on power consumption or to help older programs function properly. Problems arise when the operating system disables a kernel by mistake or has difficulty enabling it again.

How to activate all processor cores in Windows

If you are using Windows 10, all of your processor cores will be enabled by default if BIOS / UEFI is configured correctly. In Windows 7 and 8, you can manually configure Windows to use all cores. While the setting is still present in Windows 10, it doesn't actually do anything.

If you are using Windows 7 and 8 and you want to take advantage of all the processor cores, you just need to follow the steps described below:

• Type 'msconfig' in the Windows search box and press Enter. Select the Startup tab and then Advanced Options. Check the box next to Number of processors and select them from the menu. Select OK and then Apply.

If you are using an updated version of Windows or Windows 10, you should see the box next to "Number of processors" unchecked. This is because Windows is configured to use all cores when a program has the ability to use them. As long as the BIOS / UEFI on the motherboard is configured to be available, they can be used.

In the days of Windows 7 and 8, you could manually set the affinity of the processor. These settings told Windows to configure a certain program to use a certain processor core to distribute the load and use the entire processor. The results were mixed, because sometimes it worked very well, other times it did not. Windows 10 does things a little differently and doesn't really need you to manually assign programs to kernels.

If you are using Windows 7, 8 or 10, you can manually configure the processor affinity if you wish, but it is not strictly necessary. To do this you just have to follow the following steps:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Go to the Details tab and right-click on the program in question. Select Set Affinity. Choose one or more cores and check the box to select, uncheck to deselect.

This ends our special article on how to activate all the processor cores in Windows, remember that Windows 10 already manages it automatically much better than its predecessors, so in this case it will be better not to modify the configuration. In case you are using Windows 7 or Windows 8, it can be very useful for you.