This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off Content Adaptive Brightness Control (CABC) for all users in Windows 11.
Some PCs can let Windows automatically adjust screen brightness based on the current lighting conditions.
Some Windows 11 PCs can automatically adjust the screen brightness and contrast based on content that’s displayed on your built-in screen. For example, if you’re watching a video that has a dark scene, followed by a brighter scene (for example, one that shows a bright sunny day), the brightness and contrast may change. This is normal.
Content adaptive brightness control (CABC) provides ideal brightness and contrast levels, while saving power and providing longer battery life at the same time. If these sudden brightness changes are distracting, or if you work in photo and video apps where color accuracy is important to you, you can turn this off any time. When you turn it off, it can result in shorter battery life.
Starting with Windows 11 build 22621.1928 Content Adaptive Brightness Control (CABC) will now run on devices such as laptops and 2-in-1’s that are plugged into a charger. This feature dims or brightens areas of a display based on the content. It tries to strike a balance between saving battery life and providing a good visual experience. This feature can be adjusted with 3 options: Off, Always, and “On Battery Only”. For battery powered devices such as laptops and 2-in-1’s, the default is “On Battery Only”.
- Off: Adaptive brightness control will be turned off and screen brightness and contrast will not be adjusted. This can result in shorter battery life.
- Always: Adaptive brightness control will always run regardless of whether the device is plugged in or on battery.
- On Battery Only: Adaptive brightness control will only be activated when the device is on battery power.
Microsoft previously documented this feature working on desktop PCs – however, it does not. Content Adaptive Brightness Control (CABC) needs to be enabled by the OEM (the manufacturer of the device). As a result, this feature is not available on all laptop or 2-in-1 devices.
References:
Adaptive brightness
Describes adaptive brightness which is the screen brightness set automatically by the system in response to the ambient light sensor reading.
learn.microsoft.com
Change display brightness and color in Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to change display brightness and color in Windows.
support.microsoft.com
Display brightness is automatically reduced by 30% by default when using battery saver.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Content Adaptive Brightness Control in Settings
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Content Adaptive Brightness Control using REG file
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Display on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Brightness on the right side to expand it open. (see screenshots below step 4)
4 Perform an available step below: (see screenshots below)
- Check (on - default) or uncheck (off) Help improve battery by optimizing the content shown and brightness for what you want. (see screenshot below)
- Select Off, Always, or On Battery Only (default) for what you want in the Save power by optimizing screen contrast and brightness for the content shown drop menu.
- Select Off, Always, or On Battery Only (default) for what you want in the Change brightness based on content drop menu.
5 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Do step 2 (off), step 3 (always on), or step 3 (on battery only) below for what you would like to do.
2 Turn Off Content Adaptive Brightness Control
This is the default setting
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Off_Change_brightness_based_on_content.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers]
"CABCOption"=dword:000000003 Aways Turn On Content Adaptive Brightness Control
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Always_Change_brightness_based_on_content.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers]
"CABCOption"=dword:000000014 On Battery Only Turn On Content Adaptive Brightness Control
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
On_Battery_Only_Change_brightness_based_on_content.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers]
"CABCOption"=dword:000000025 Save the REG file to your desktop.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Related Tutorials
- Adjust Display Brightness in Windows 11
- Turn On or Off Adaptive Brightness in Windows 11
- Turn On or Off Night Light in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Adaptive Color in Windows 11
- Turn On or Off Lower Screen Brightness when using Battery Saver in Windows 11
- Change HDR or SDR Content Brightness for HDR Display in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Auto Adjust Video Brightness Based on Lighting in Windows 11
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