System Change Power Mode in Windows 11


Power_mode_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how change the power mode for your account in Windows 11.

Power mode allows you to optimize your Windows 11 device based on power use and performance.

Choose the power mode that works for you and what you want to do on your Windows 11 PC. This lets you determine what’s important to you—getting the best battery life, best performance, or a balance between the two.

You can choose between the Best Power Efficiency, Balanced (default), or Best Performance power mode.
  • Best power efficiency = Saves power by reducing PC performance and screen brightness. If you're using a laptop, this mode can help you get the most from a single battery charge.
  • Balanced = Offers full performance when you need it and saves power when you don't. This is the best mode for most people.
  • Best performance = Maximizes screen brightness and might increase PC performance. This mode uses a lot more energy, so your laptop battery won't last as long between charges.
You can choose a separate power mode for when you are running on AC and battery (DC) power. The power mode will automatically change to what you set when you change between running on AC and battery power.

Starting with Windows 11 build 27686.1000 (Canary) and build 26100.1876 (RP), Microsoft is beginning to roll out improvements to Settings > System > Power & battery including the ability to set your Power Mode for both when your PC is plugged in when it’s on battery along with a few other UI improvements to the page.

Reference:

Power mode is only available when you are using the Balanced power plan on a PC with a battery.

Power mode is set automatically and cannot be changed while using Game mode.




Here's How:

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Power & battery on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Power_Mode-1.png

3 Click/tap on Power Mode to expand it open. (see screenshot below)

4 Under Power Mode, select Best Power Efficiency, Balanced (default), or Best Performance in the Plugged in (AC) and/or On battery (DC) drop menus for what you want. (see screenshot below)

The Power Mode setting is saved to the ActiveOverlayAcPowerScheme (Plugged in) and ActiveOverlayDcPowerScheme (On battery) string values (REG_SZ) in the protected registry key below:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\User\PowerSchemes

961cc777-2547-4f9d-8174-7d86181b8a7a = Best Power Efficiency
00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 = Balanced
ded574b5-45a0-4f42-8737-46345c09c238 = Best Performance

Power_Mode_registry.png


Power_Mode-2.png

4 You can now close Settings if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 
Last edited:
Hi, I have two questions?
1. How to set power mode by scripts so that I can change it by autohotkey quickly?
2. How to make it possible to switch power mode to Best power efficiency automatically while the computer sleeps (modern standby)?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10
I feel like in older versions of windows it would automatically change to best performance when you would plug the laptop in. I wish there was a way to have it change automatically.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700 X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 3600mhz Gskill Ripjaws V
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super , 12GB VRAM Asus EVO Overclock
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) 2560 x 1440 @ 170hz HDR
    Hard Drives
    2TB Samsung nvme ssd
    2TB XPG nvme ssd
    PSU
    CORSAIR RMx SHIFT Series™ RM750x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
    Case
    CORSAIR 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – Black
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 CPU Water Cooler
    Internet Speed
    900mbps DOWN, 100mbps UP
  • Operating System
    Chrome OS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Chromebook
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB LPDDR4
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14 Inch HD SVA anti glare micro edge display
    Hard Drives
    64 GB emmc
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