How to Change Power Plan in Windows 11
Changing your power plan in Windows 11 lets you decide how your PC uses energy.
Windows 11 has built-in power plans like Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance. These plans control things like your processor speed and how much power your computer components use.
For example, the High Performance plan keeps your PC running at its fastest for tasks that need a lot of power, while Power Saver makes your battery last much longer by using less energy.
Knowing how to switch between these plans helps you get the best experience, whether you need maximum speed for gaming or longer battery life for working on the go.
You can change your power plan in Windows 11 through Control Panel. Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options, then select your desired plan like Balanced, Power Saver, or High Performance. You can also reveal hidden plans by clicking “Show additional plans.
Comparison Table: Which Plan is Best?
| Plan | Best For |
|---|---|
| Power Saver | Travel and long battery life |
| Balanced | General daily use |
| High Performance | Gaming and video editing |
| Ultimate Performance | Workstations and heavy rendering |
How to Change Your Power Plan via Control Panel
Changing your power plan in Windows 11 via the Control Panel is a way to select settings that save energy or boost performance. This helps you manage how your computer uses electricity for different tasks.
- Click the Start button.
- Type Control Panel and press Enter.
- Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Select your preferred plan. If you do not see your desired plan, click the arrow next to Show additional plans.
Using the Command Line (Powercfg)
Windows 11 offers a command-line tool called powercfg for quickly switching power settings. You can see all available plans by typing ‘powercfg -list’ and then switch to one using its unique ID.
To list all available plans, use this command:
powercfg -list
powercfg /listTo switch to a specific plan, find its GUID (Globally Unique Identifier, a unique code for each plan) in the list and use it:
Modern Standby, a feature found on many laptops, keeps your system connected to the internet even when the screen is off, potentially draining your battery faster than traditional sleep mode. Adjusting your power plan helps manage how aggressively your system enters these states.
Summary
Changing your power plan in Windows 11 helps you manage your PC’s performance and battery life, letting you pick the best setting for tasks like gaming or saving power.
Why can’t I see the High Performance power plan in 🪟 Windows 11?
Windows 11 often hides High Performance mode to encourage energy efficiency. If it is missing, you can create a new plan or use the command line tool powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c to restore the High Performance option to your list.
How do I create a custom power plan in 🪟 Windows 11?
Within the Power Options menu, locate and click ‘Create a power plan’ on the left sidebar. Choose an existing plan as a base, give your new plan a name, and adjust the screen and sleep settings to your specific needs. This is useful for specialized tasks like long-term file downloads.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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