How to Properly Use EXM Game Mode
EXM Game Mode is designed to provide additional real-time optimization while you are gaming.
Unlike normal EXM optimizations that remain applied to Windows, Game Mode can temporarily adjust supported system behavior while a game is running, helping prioritize your gaming session.
Game Mode can perform actions such as reducing unnecessary background services and dynamically applying supported CPU affinity optimizations while your game is active.
Before Using Game Mode
Before setting up Game Mode, we recommend completing your normal EXM optimization first.
Open EXM.
Apply the recommended optimizations for your system.
Restart your PC if required.
Open EXM again.
Navigate to Game Mode.
Game Mode is designed to work alongside your normal EXM configuration. It is not a replacement for applying your regular system optimizations.
Step 1: Configure Game Mode
Open the Game Mode section inside EXM and review the available Game Mode options.
Enable the features you want EXM to use while gaming.
Depending on your configuration, Game Mode can dynamically adjust supported system behavior to reduce unnecessary background activity and prioritize your game.
You only need to configure Game Mode based on the features you want to use. You do not need to enable every option simply because it is available.
Step 2: Make Sure Your Game Is Detected
EXM includes detection for supported games.
Check that the game you want to play appears within Game Mode.
If your game is already detected, no additional setup should be required.
Step 3: Manually Add a Game If Needed
If EXM does not automatically detect your game, you can manually add it to Game Mode.
When manually adding a game, select the actual executable for the game itself.
For example, you should add the game's .exe rather than applications such as:
Steam
Epic Games Launcher
Battle.net
Ubisoft Connect
Other game launchers
Game Mode needs to identify the game itself so it knows when your gaming session begins.
Step 4: Launch Your Game Normally
Once Game Mode has been configured, launch your game normally through Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net, its desktop shortcut, or whichever launcher you normally use.
You do not need to launch the game directly through EXM.
When EXM detects a configured game, Game Mode can apply the real-time features you have enabled.
What Does Game Mode Do While I’m Playing?
Game Mode is designed to reduce unnecessary interference from Windows while prioritizing your active gaming session.
Depending on the options you have enabled, this can include features such as:
Reducing unnecessary background services
Prioritizing system resources for gaming
Dynamically configuring supported CPU affinity behavior
Reducing unnecessary background resource usage
Applying other supported real-time Game Mode optimizations
The goal is not simply to increase maximum FPS.
Game Mode may also help improve:
1% lows
Frametime consistency
Responsiveness
Background resource usage
Stuttering
Overall gaming consistency
Results will vary depending on your hardware, Windows configuration, background applications, and the game you are playing.
What Happens When I Close My Game?
Once your gaming session ends, temporary Game Mode behavior is no longer needed.
Your normal EXM optimizations remain applied, while temporary Game Mode actions are designed specifically around the active gaming session.
You do not need to reapply all of your normal EXM optimizations every time you finish playing a game.
Do I Need to Add Every Game?
Only games you want Game Mode to recognize need to be configured.
EXM already includes detection for many games, so manually adding a game is normally only necessary when it is not automatically recognized.
If you install a new game and Game Mode does not detect it, simply add the game's executable manually.
Should I Add Game Launchers to Game Mode?
No.
Programs such as Steam, Epic Games Launcher, Battle.net, Discord, or similar applications should not be added as games.
These programs can remain open for long periods of time even when you are not gaming, which makes them inappropriate triggers for Game Mode.
Add the actual game executable instead.
Can I Use Game Mode With Anti-Cheat Games?
Yes.
EXM Game Mode performs system-level optimization and does not inject code into your game, modify game files, alter game memory, or bypass anti-cheat software.
Game Mode operates through supported Windows and system-level behavior rather than interacting directly with gameplay.
For additional information, see our Is EXM Allowed in Games? article.
Do I Need to Enable Game Mode Every Time I Play?
Once you have configured Game Mode and your game has been added or detected, you should not need to repeatedly configure it for every gaming session.
Simply launch your game normally and allow Game Mode to handle the configured real-time behavior.
Getting the Best Results
For the most consistent experience:
Complete your regular EXM optimizations first.
Restart your PC after major system changes.
Make sure your game is correctly detected.
Add unsupported games manually using the correct executable.
Avoid adding game launchers as games.
Close unnecessary applications you do not need while gaming.
Keep your GPU and chipset drivers up to date.
Test performance using consistent game and graphics settings.
Remember that higher average FPS is not the only measurement of improvement. Better frametimes, 1% lows, responsiveness, and reduced background activity can also make gameplay noticeably smoother.
Game Mode Isn’t Detecting My Game
If Game Mode does not recognize your game:
Make sure the game is fully installed.
Launch the game at least once.
Return to EXM Game Mode.
Add the game manually.
Select the actual game executable.
Launch the game again and test Game Mode.
If the issue continues, contact EXM Support and provide:
The name of the game
Where the game was installed from
The game executable you selected
Your Windows version
Your EXM version
A screenshot of your Game Mode configuration
Need Help?
If Game Mode is not detecting your game or you are unsure which settings to use, contact EXM Support and our team can help review your configuration.