System Change Power Mode in Windows 11

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Power_mode_banner.webp

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.

References:

Change the power mode for your Windows PC - Microsoft Support

Learn how to change the power mode on your Windows PC to preserve your battery, limit notifications, and background activity.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

Power settings in Windows 11 | Microsoft Support

You can use Screen and sleep settings to save energy and make your battery last longer.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

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.





Contents





Option One

Change Power Mode in Quick Settings


This option is only available starting with Windows 11 build 26340.9577 (Experimental 26H2).


1 Open Quick Settings (Win+A).

2 Click/tap on the Power or Power & Battery button. (see screenshots below)

3 Turn On or Off (default) Power mode for best energy efficiency.

Quick_Settings_Power_mode-1.webp
Quick_Settings_Power_mode-2.webp





Option Two

Change Power Mode in Settings


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 step 4)

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

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

Power_Mode_registry.png


Power_Mode-2.webp

4 You can now close Settings if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
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)?
 

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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.
 

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Hi @Brink
How to configure the registry if I want this?
power mode.webp
 

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SM03 said:
Hi @Brink
How to configure the registry if I want this?
View attachment 168042
Click to expand...

Hey mate, :alien:

Here you go:

Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\User\PowerSchemes]
"ActiveOverlayDcPowerScheme"="00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
"ActiveOverlayAcPowerScheme"="ded574b5-45a0-4f42-8737-46345c09c238"
 

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I am using a new HP Omen desktop with Windows 11. I also have Standby available. I went into System power and changed Power Mode to High Performance but it defaults back to balanced.
 

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Figureguy said:
I am using a new HP Omen desktop with Windows 11. I also have Standby available. I went into System power and changed Power Mode to High Performance but it defaults back to balanced.
Click to expand...

Hello, :alien:

You might also check to see if there may be OEM power management software installed changing it back.
 

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    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)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
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    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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Brink said:
Hello, :alien:

You might also check to see if there may be OEM power management software installed changing it back.
Click to expand...
Hi, thank you for responding. I'm sorry but I am not sure where I would look for that.
 

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Figureguy said:
Hi, thank you for responding. I'm sorry but I am not sure where I would look for that.
Click to expand...

You can check the apps listed in the Start Menu to see if anything from HP is for Power Management. You may need to open the app and look though the settings in it to see if the app name is not clear on what it's for.
 

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    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
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    2560x1440
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    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
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    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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Figureguy said:
I am using a new HP Omen desktop with Windows 11. I also have Standby available. I went into System power and changed Power Mode to High Performance but it defaults back to balanced.
Click to expand...
And take a look in the HP user forums for any threads on the subject.


Denis
 

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Windows 11 Home x64 Version 26H2 Build 26300....
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Thank you for the quick response. There was nothing coming up via the Smart Menu so I went to the HP forums.

I got this reply:

However, modern HP OMEN PCs utilize Modern Standby (S0 Low Power Idle), which locks the Windows Control Panel to the Balanced power plan by default.

When Modern Standby is active, traditional Command Prompt commands to force the Ultimate or High Performance plans will run successfully but will fail to appear in the Control Panel interface.

The Fix: Switch Power Modes via the OMEN Gaming Hub.

I can also apparently make some changes via the Windows Registry but I do not want to do that. The Hub performance is more toward gearing the system for gaming and I do not use it for that. I guess I will simply leave it as it is.

But it means a lot you took the time to reach out. Thank you again and have a good weekend.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows15-14000F16GB DDR5
OS
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Memory
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Tutorial updated to add new option one. :alien:
 

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System One System Two

  • 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
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