How to Change Power Modes in Windows 11

This guide explains how to change your computer’s power mode in Windows 11.

What is Power Mode?

Power mode lets you tell your computer how to balance speed and battery life. Why would you want to do this? You might want your laptop to last longer during a long flight, or you might want maximum speed while editing a video. What happens when done? Your computer will adjust its internal settings to run faster or save energy based on your choice.

The Three Power Modes

• Best Power Efficiency: Slows your computer down slightly and dims the screen to save battery.
• Balanced: This is the default. It gives you speed when you need it and saves power when you don’t.
• Best Performance: Keeps the screen bright and keeps your computer running at top speed. This drains your battery much faster.

You can set different modes for when your computer is plugged into a wall outlet versus when it is running on battery. Windows will switch between these settings automatically.

How to Change Your Power Mode

1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I on your keyboard.
2. Click System on the left side, then click Power & battery.
3. Click the Power mode box to see your options.
4. Select your preferred mode from the dropdown menu for Plugged in or On battery.

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.

Power settings in Windows 11 – Microsoft Support — You can use Screen and sleep settings to save energy and make your battery last longer.

Where Windows Stores This Setting

Windows saves these settings in the registry. Note: Editing the registry requires admin privileges. The setting is saved in ActiveOverlayAcPowerScheme (Plugged in) and ActiveOverlayDcPowerScheme (On battery) in the following location:

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

The registry values correspond to these settings:

00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 = Balanced

ded574b5-45a0-4f42-8737-46345c09c238 = Best Performance

961cc777-2547-4f9d-8174-7d86181b8a7a = Best Power Efficiency

Summary

Power modes allow you to control your computer’s speed and battery usage. By choosing between Best Power Efficiency, Balanced, or Best Performance, you can customize your experience based on whether you are plugged in or mobile. You can easily adjust these settings in the Power & battery section of your Windows Settings menu.