How To Change Gpu Name In Task Manager

You cannot change the GPU name through Task Manager’s interface: it has no supported rename control for graphics adapters. If you want clearer labels, identify each GPU by its model and number. If Windows shows an incorrect or generic name, check the graphics driver rather.

What the GPU name and number mean

Task Manager shows both an identifier, such as GPU 0, and the graphics adapter’s model name. These serve different purposes. The number lets Windows refer to an adapter briefly; the model name helps you recognise the hardware.

GPU 0 does not mean the fastest card, and GPU 1 does not automatically mean a dedicated gaming card. Microsoft explains that Task Manager orders multiple GPUs by their PCI bus, device and function locations. See its explanation of GPU monitoring for the underlying behaviour.

Changing a displayed label would not increase graphics memory, improve rendering speed or assign games to a different adapter. Those are separate hardware and configuration matters.

Identify each GPU without renaming it

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If it opens in a compact view, select More details.
2. Open Performance and select a GPU entry in the sidebar.
3. Read the model name above the graphs and note which GPU number accompanies it.
4. Repeat for any other GPU entries. Record the number and model together in your troubleshooting notes.

This follows Microsoft’s method for checking your GPU in Task Manager. A note such as “GPU 0 — integrated graphics” can help you organise your work, provided you first confirm which model that number represents.

Cross-check the hardware in Device Manager

Right-click Start, open Device Manager and expand Display adapters. Open an adapter’s Properties to inspect its driver information. The Details tab also provides identification and configuration information, as described in Microsoft’s Device Manager documentation.

The Device description entry in that tab is not a text box for typing a replacement name. Selecting a property changes which information you are viewing; it does not rename the GPU in Task Manager.

Choose the right action for your goal

Correct a generic or unexpected GPU name

If Device Manager lists Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, Windows is using its generic display driver. Microsoft recommends replacing it with a suitable manufacturer driver where one is available. Its Basic Display Adapter guidance recommends checking Windows Update first, then the manufacturer’s website if necessary.

1. Confirm the graphics hardware using the PC’s specifications or the adapter’s identification details.
2. Check Windows Update for an appropriate driver. If none is available, check the PC or graphics hardware manufacturer’s support site for your model.
3. Install the matching driver and restart if the installer requests it.
4. Reopen Device Manager and Task Manager to check the reported adapter name.

If the correct model already appears, a driver installation is unnecessary just to obtain a nickname.

Check driver support if the GPU section is missing

Task Manager’s GPU performance reporting requires a driver supporting Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 or later. Press Windows + R, enter dxdiag and inspect Driver Model in the Drivers section of the relevant Display tab. Renaming a device cannot add missing monitoring support.

Why registry rename instructions are unreliable

Instructions that promise a right-click Rename or editable Properties window inside Task Manager do not describe an available GPU control. Registry edits are a separate workaround, with no universal result guaranteed across graphics drivers and Windows installations.

A device’s friendly name and the adapter description shown by another Windows tool are not interchangeable settings. Do not assume that changing FriendlyName or DeviceString will update Task Manager. Renaming hardware identifier keys is also not a normal device customisation procedure.

If you have already made an edit, restore the original value from your saved record or registry backup. Avoid making further speculative changes to force a cosmetic result.

Check which GPU an application uses

To associate an application with an adapter, open Task Manager’s Processes view, right-click a column heading and enable GPU engine. Match the GPU number in that column to the model you identified under Performance. Engine labels such as 3D describe the type of GPU work.

In Windows 11, you can change an app’s GPU preference under Settings > System > Display > Graphics. Select the app, open its graphics options and choose the appropriate available preference, then restart the app. Microsoft documents these controls in its graphics settings guidance.

Other labels need different explanations: learn what the number in parentheses in Task Manager means if a process group is confusing. If an app is marked Suspended, consult the guide to unsuspending a program. More monitoring help is available in our Task Manager guides.

Open Performance now and record each GPU number beside its model name before changing any drivers or application preferences.