Personalization Add or Remove "Choose Power Plan" context menu in Windows 11


Power_plan_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to add Choose Power Plan to the desktop context menu for all users to be able to open Power Options or instantly switch between using the Power Saver, Balanced, High Performance, or Ultimate Performance plan for their account in Windows 11.

A power plan is a collection of hardware and system settings that manages how your computer uses power. Power plans can help you save energy, maximize system performance, or achieve a balance between the two.

Changes made to a power plan will affect all users that use the same power plan as their default active power scheme.

Windows 11 includes the following default power plans:
  • Balanced = Offers full performance when you need it and saves power when you don't. This is the best power plan for most people. Allows you to change your Power Mode.
  • Power saver = Saves power by reducing PC performance and screen brightness. If you're using a laptop, this plan can help you get the most from a single battery charge.
  • High performance = Maximizes screen brightness and might increase PC performance. This plan uses a lot more energy, so your laptop battery won't last as long between charges.
  • Ultimate Performance = Only available in the Windows 11 Pro for Workstations edition by default. Provides ultimate performance on higher end PCs. It builds on the current High-Performance policy, and goes a step further to eliminate micro-latencies associated with fine grained power management techniques. As the power scheme is geared towards reducing micro-latencies it may directly impact hardware; and consume more power than the default balanced plan. The Ultimate Performance power policy is currently not available on battery powered systems.
  • Custom = These are custom power plans created by a user on the PC and/or included by your PC manufacturer (OEM).

While you must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the "Choose Power Plan" context menu, all users will be able to use the context menu.

Some Windows 11 devices (ex: Modern Standby) may only have the Balanced power plan scheme available by default.

If you would like to have a custom context menu with a power plan added or removed, then please feel free to post a request.



EXAMPLE: "Choose Power Plan" context menu

You will need to click/tap on Show more options first by default.


Show_more_options.png
Choose_Power_Plan_context_menu.png



Here's How:

1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 To Add "Choose Power Plan" to Desktop Context Menu

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_Choose_Power_Plan_to_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan]
"Icon"="powercpl.dll"
"MUIVerb"="Choose Power Plan"
"Position"="Middle"
"SubCommands"=""


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\01menu]
"MUIVerb"="Power Saver"
"Icon"="powercpl.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\01menu\command]
@="powercfg.exe /setactive a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\02menu]
"MUIVerb"="Balanced"
"Icon"="powercpl.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\02menu\command]
@="powercfg.exe /setactive 381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\03menu]
"MUIVerb"="High Performance"
"Icon"="powercpl.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\03menu\command]
@="powercfg.exe /setactive 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\04menu]
"MUIVerb"="Ultimate Performance"
"Icon"="powercpl.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\04menu\command]
@="powercfg.exe /setactive e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\05menu]
"MUIVerb"="Power Options"
"Icon"="powercpl.dll"
"CommandFlags"=dword:00000020

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan\shell\05menu\command]
@="control.exe powercfg.cpl"

3 To Remove "Choose Power Plan" from Desktop Context Menu

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_Choose_Power_Plan_from_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\PowerPlan]

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

Last edited:
Hi,
Nice one (y)

System power page is a sad designed joke lol
 
Last edited:

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How do i restore Windows 11 Original Power Schemes
 

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Windows 11 Pro (Currently 25H2)
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Asus X99A
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How do i restore Windows 11 Original Power Schemes

Hello, :-)

The tutorial below can also be used in Windows 11. If you have Modern Standby, you will only have the "Balanced" plan available and will not be able to add other default plans. You can create custom plans though.

 

My Computers My Computers

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    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
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    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
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    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
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    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
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    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
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    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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    1 TB SSD
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    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
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    Microsoft Defender
Is there anyway to add "AMD Ryzen Balanced" power plan to this Power Plan context menu?
Where are power plans stored in the registry?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 x64AMD Ryzen 3 2200g32gb
OS
Win11 x64
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Mixed
CPU
AMD Ryzen 3 2200g
Motherboard
Asrock B450m
Memory
32gb
Is there anyway to add "AMD Ryzen Balanced" power plan to this Power Plan context menu?
Where are power plans stored in the registry?

Hello, :alien:

You can use option three below to get a list of all power plans and their GUID.


You can then use the GUID for the AMD plan to add it to the context menu. If needed, you can post back with this plan's GUID, and I can add it to the context menu for you.
 

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  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
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    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
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    Corsair Hydro H115i
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    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
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    Logitech MX Master 4
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    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
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    1 TB SSD
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This PowerShell script will perform the same work, creating a context menu from your existing Power Plans. You don't need to know anything about GUID's.

After you add, remove or rename any plans, re-run the script and it will refresh the menu. The only change is my script replaces the Control Panel icon for Power Options, making it easier to find. If you're not Administrator, the script will ask for permission to run.
Code:
powershell -nop -ep bypass -f PP_ContextMenu.ps1
 

Attachments

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
Thank you Brink that has sorted me out perfectly.

Hello, :alien:

You can use option three below to get a list of all power plans and their GUID.

 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 x64AMD Ryzen 3 2200g32gb
OS
Win11 x64
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Mixed
CPU
AMD Ryzen 3 2200g
Motherboard
Asrock B450m
Memory
32gb

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 x64AMD Ryzen 3 2200g32gb
OS
Win11 x64
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Mixed
CPU
AMD Ryzen 3 2200g
Motherboard
Asrock B450m
Memory
32gb
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