How to Change Power Modes in Windows 11
You change the power mode in Windows 11 at Settings System Power & battery Power mode. There you pick one of 3 settings: Best power efficiency, Balanced, or Best performance, which trade battery life for speed.
Best power efficiency squeezes extra hours out of a laptop battery. Best performance gives your PC full speed for heavy tasks like gaming or video editing, even if it drains the battery faster. The change applies at once. You don’t need to restart, and it works the same on Home and Pro.
To change the power mode in Windows 11, open Settings System Power & battery Power mode and choose Best power efficiency, Balanced, or Best performance. The change applies immediately with no restart needed. On a laptop you can set one mode for battery and another for when it is plugged in.
What is Power Mode in 🪟 Windows 11?
Power modes change how your computer uses electricity, so you can balance speed against battery life. Windows 11 offers three profiles:
- Best Power EfficiencyThis one is for saving battery. Windows lowers performance slightly and may dim your screen to make the battery last longer. Use it when you are away from a power outlet.
- Balanced (Default)This is the middle option and is probably what your PC uses now. It gives you good performance while you work and saves power when you are idle. Most people leave it here because it is a good mix.
- Best PerformanceUse this when you need your PC to be as fast as possible. It favors speed and responsiveness, and the system stays ready to react instantly. It draws more power, so on a laptop the battery drains faster when unplugged. Expect more fan noise and heat too.
Can I Set Different Power Modes for Battery and When Plugged In?
Yes, you can set a different power mode for when your laptop runs on battery and for when it is plugged in. That lets you use a power-saving mode away from an outlet, and switch to a higher performance mode as soon as you plug the charger back in. The steps below show where both choices are.
How to Change Your Power Mode in 🪟 Windows 11
You make this change in the Settings app. It takes about a minute and you can undo it at any time by choosing a different mode. The steps run from opening Settings to checking the result.
Step 1Open Windows Settings
- Press Win+I on your keyboard. Or click the Start button and select the Settings gear icon.
- Check that the Settings window opens, with a list of categories on the left.
Step 2Go to Power & Battery Settings
- In the Settings app, click System on the left side.
- On the right side, click Power & battery. You should now see battery details and the power options for your PC.
Step 3Expand the Power Mode Options
- In the Power & battery section, find Power mode.
- Click it to see the options. On a laptop, depending on your Windows 11 build, you will see a drop-down menu for when the PC is plugged in and one for when it is on battery.
Step 4Choose Your Preferred Power Mode
Use the drop-down menu next to Power mode to pick one of these:
- Best Power Efficiency
- Balanced
- Best Performance
Choose the mode you want for when your PC is plugged in, and then the mode you want for when it is on battery. For instance, you might pick “Best Power Efficiency” for battery and “Balanced” or “Best Performance” for when the laptop is plugged in. If you want to go back to the defaults later, set both to “Balanced”.
It is meant for PCs using the “Balanced” power plan. If you don’t see it, or it is greyed out, you are probably using a different power plan, for example one set by your PC maker or changed in Control Panel. Some devices, such as desktop computers without a battery, may also not show the separate plugged-in and on-battery choices. Switching back to the Balanced plan usually brings the setting back.
Step 5Close Settings
Your changes are saved automatically, so there is no Apply or Save button. You can now close the Settings window.
Summary
- Unplug your laptop and open Settings System Power & battery again. Verify that the power mode has switched to the one you chose for battery.
- Plug the charger back in and check that your plugged-in performance profile returns.
If the mode does not change, reopen the drop-downs and confirm you set both the plugged-in and on-battery choices.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
So, there is no easy way anymore. It used to be “click on battery icon. Drag the bar”.
I came here looking for a quicker way than going through an entire settings menu.