Modern Intel processors, especially from the 12th-gen Alder Lake series onward, use a hybrid architecture that combines Performance cores (P-cores) and Efficiency cores (E-cores). While E-cores are great for saving power and handling background tasks, some users—especially gamers, streamers, and power users—prefer to disable them for maximum performance or compatibility reasons.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to disable E-cores on Windows 11, step by step, using BIOS/UEFI settings and alternative methods.

Table of Contents

What Are E-Cores and P-Cores?

Before disabling anything, let’s quickly break it down:

P-Cores (Performance cores): Handle heavy tasks like gaming, rendering, and productivity software.
E-Cores (Efficiency cores): Manage background processes and light tasks while saving energy.

Think of it as a sports team: the P-cores are your star players, while E-cores are support staff. But in some cases—like certain games or apps that don’t optimize well—E-cores can cause stutters or scheduling issues.

Why Disable E-Cores in Windows 11?

You might consider disabling E-cores if:

Certain older games don’t run well on hybrid CPUs.
You want consistent CPU scheduling across all cores.
You’re troubleshooting performance drops or stuttering.
You want maximum control over your PC’s power and performance.

Method 1: Disable E-Cores via BIOS/UEFI (Recommended)

The most effective way to disable E-cores is through your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings.

Steps:

Restart your computer.
As it boots, press the correct key to enter BIOS/UEFI. Common keys are:
- Delete
- F2
- F10
- Esc (depends on motherboard brand).
Once in BIOS, look for CPU Configuration or Advanced CPU Settings.
Find the option related to E-cores (sometimes called Efficient Cores, Hybrid CPU, or Intel Efficiency Cores).
Set E-Cores to Disabled.
Save changes and exit BIOS (usually F10).

Your system will now run only on P-cores.

Method 2: Use Intel XTU (Extreme Tuning Utility)

If your motherboard BIOS doesn’t have a disable option, you can try Intel’s tuning software.

Download and install Intel XTU from Intel’s official website.
Open the program and navigate to Core Settings.
Adjust the Active Cores settings.
Disable E-cores by deselecting them.
Apply changes and restart your system.

Note: Not all CPUs or chipsets support this method.

Method 3: Using Task Manager Affinity (Temporary Fix)

If you don’t want to disable E-cores permanently, you can set CPU affinity for apps.

Open the app or game you want to optimize.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Details tab.
Right-click your program > Set Affinity.
Uncheck the CPU cores that correspond to E-cores.

This way, that specific program will only run on P-cores.

Method 4: Registry Hack (Advanced Users Only)

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Proceed with caution.

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
Look for CPU scheduling or hybrid core settings (varies by system).
Modify values to disable E-cores.
Restart your PC.

This method isn’t as reliable as BIOS, but some advanced users tweak scheduling here.

Method 5: Disable Core Parking in Windows

Windows sometimes “parks” cores to save power, including P-cores. By disabling core parking, you make sure P-cores remain active and reduce E-core interference.

Press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl, and hit Enter.
Select High Performance or Ultimate Performance power plan.
Click Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
Expand Processor power management > Processor performance core parking.
Set minimum and maximum values to 0% (to disable parking).

This keeps P-cores active for better stability.

Pros and Cons of Disabling E-Cores

✅ Pros:

Smoother gaming in older titles.
Reduced stuttering and scheduling conflicts.
Better performance consistency.

❌ Cons:

Higher power consumption.
Less efficient multitasking.
Some modern apps may actually benefit from E-cores.

Tips Before Disabling E-Cores

Update BIOS before changing settings for compatibility.
Test performance both ways—sometimes E-cores help more than they hurt.
Consider disabling only some E-cores instead of all.

Conclusion

Disabling E-cores in Windows 11 can improve performance in certain scenarios, especially in older games or apps that don’t play nicely with hybrid CPUs. The best way to disable them is through BIOS/UEFI, while Task Manager affinity and Intel XTU offer more temporary solutions.

That said, E-cores are designed to improve efficiency, so test your setup carefully before committing. For many users, tweaking power settings or disabling only some E-cores strikes the perfect balance between performance and efficiency.

FAQs

1. Can I disable E-cores directly in Windows 11 without BIOS?
Not permanently. You can use Task Manager affinity or Intel XTU, but BIOS is the most reliable method.

2. Will disabling E-cores improve gaming performance?
In some older or poorly optimized games, yes. But modern games often handle hybrid CPUs well.

3. Is it safe to disable E-cores?
Yes, it won’t damage your CPU. The only downside is higher power usage and potentially reduced efficiency.

4. Can I re-enable E-cores later?
Absolutely—just go back into BIOS and switch them on again.

5. Do AMD CPUs have E-cores?
No, AMD currently doesn’t use hybrid architecture. E-cores are specific to Intel’s newer CPUs.

How to Disable E-Cores on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide