I have a dual core processor, but many windows applications default to just using the first one. I got a program called imagecfg, but it rarely works. Does anyone have a program that will set an affinity for a program, that sticks even after reboot? Or better yet, are there programs that optimize this for me? I'd love to use my processor without having it max out at 50% because one core is overworked and one is underworked, it defeats the purpose.

Welcome to the PCHF dmsuperman.

Alot of older and open source software doesn't actually support dual processors yet, as it's only just recently become mainstream.

You should be able to create a Local Group Policy that will set the affinity automatically for certain software - I've never actually had to do this myself, but I generally haven't noticed much software that I use these days to have any issues with dual core/CPU.

It's not a specific problem with any software, it's just that when I use some heavier programs, they all only work with a single core, and windows doesn't do a good job of dividing the workload, as my first core gets maxed out and my second core barely at all, so it tends to slow the computer down. I was thinking of splitting it up, 1 core to run windows and all services for it, and 1 for my apps, with perhaps an odd one sharing both if it supports it.

I've gone into computer management and created a group I wanted to put my core 1 apps under, and one for core 2, but it only allows me to add users to a group. How would I go about adding an affinity for an application? I figured a blanket core 1 affinity and then override that blanket for all my applications individually with a core 2 affinity would work as I wanted it, so the core 1 would cover everything as I'm not sure which processes are used for the system.