This tutorial will show you how to reset and restore specific or all power plan settings to default for all users in Windows 10 and 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. A power plan is also known as a power scheme.
Changes made to a power plan settings will affect all users that use the same power plan as their default active power scheme.
Windows 10 and 11 includes the following power plans by default:
- 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 10/11 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).
Contents
- Option One: Reset Specific Power Plan Settings to Default
- Option Two: Restore All Power Plans and Reset All Power Plans Settings to Default
1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Power Options icon.
2 Click/tap on the Change plan settings link to the right of the power plan (ex: "Balanced") you want to change settings for. (see screenshot below)
This will usually be for your active power plan.
3 Click/tap on the Change advanced power settings link. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on the Restore plan defaults button. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
7 You can now close the Control Panel if you like.
This option will delete all custom power plans, restore all default power plans, and reset the settings for all built-in power plans to default. This will not include built-in OEM power plans.
This option will also fix the Your power plan information isn't available error below (if have) for any of the built-in default power plans.
1 Open Windows Terminal, and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.
2 Copy and paste the command below into Windows Terminal, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
powercfg -restoredefaultschemes
3 When finished, you can close Windows Terminal if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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