How To Enable Or Disable Ultimate Performance Mode In Windows 11

The Ultimate Performance Power Plan Is Easy to Unlock

Unlocking the hidden Ultimate Performance power plan in Windows 11 is easy to do using an elevated command prompt as long as you have administrator privileges, requiring no special software or advanced technical skills to complete the process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Ultimate Performance Mode

1. Click the Start button on your taskbar.
2. Type the word Terminal or Command Prompt into the search box.
3. Look for Terminal or Command Prompt in the search results. Right-click on it with your mouse.
4. Select Run as administrator from the menu that pops up. A window with a black background will open. (If a security warning asks if you want to allow this app to make changes to your device, click Yes).
5. Carefully type or copy and paste the following exact text into the black window: powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
6. Press the Enter key on your keyboard.
7. You should see a message appear on the screen showing a long string of letters and numbers and the words "Ultimate Performance". This means you successfully unlocked the plan.

To enable Ultimate Performance mode in Windows 11, open the Start menu, search for Terminal or Command Prompt, right-click the result to run it as an administrator, and paste the specific command to unlock the power plan on your computer.

1. Click the Start button and open the Settings app (the gear icon).
2. Click on System on the left side, and then click on Power & battery on the right side.
3. Look for the section related to power modes or power plans. (On some versions of Windows 11, you may need to click on Control Panel from the Start menu search, go to Power Options, and look at your available plans).
4. Click the circle next to Ultimate Performance to select it.

Gaming Performance and Real-World Results

Ultimate Performance mode does not dramatically increase frame rates in video games for most users since standard Windows plans already ramp up speed, but it does help remove tiny micro-stutters and sudden pauses during intense gaming sessions.

Ultimate Performance mode in Windows 11 removes tiny micro-stutters, which are split-second pauses where the screen freezes for a fraction of a second during fast-paced games. Your computer already ramps up its speed when you launch a big game while using the standard Balanced plan. However, Ultimate Performance mode keeps your processor fully awake and ready so those annoying pauses often disappear. This makes fast-paced action games feel much smoother, even if your maximum frame rate stays about the same.

How to Disable Ultimate Performance Mode

To disable Ultimate Performance mode in Windows 11 and switch back to normal settings, open the Settings app, go to System and Power & battery, and change your active power plan back to Balanced or Power saver.

1. Click the Start button and open the Settings app.
2. Click on System and then select Power & battery.
3. Change your power plan back to Balanced (or Power saver if you are using a laptop).

If you want to completely remove the Ultimate Performance option from your computer so nobody else can select it by accident, open Terminal or Command Prompt as an administrator the same way you did before. Type powercfg -delete e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 and press Enter. (Note: You must switch away from the Ultimate Performance plan to a different plan before you try to delete it).

Unique Tips for Laptop Users and Custom Builders

The Windows Registry editor allows you to configure Ultimate Performance mode on laptops and custom-built desktop computers running Windows 11 Build 22000 or higher. You must keep two important hardware limitations in mind before you proceed. First, running Ultimate Performance mode on laptops will drain your battery much faster because the processor runs at maximum speed constantly. Second, custom-built desktop computers need adequate cooling systems because this power plan generates extra heat.

Why Laptops Usually Do Not Show This Plan

Laptops usually do not show the Ultimate Performance plan because battery safety and heat management systems prevent forcing maximum power into the processor, which stops the battery from degrading quickly and keeps the small laptop case from overheating.

Monitoring Your System Temperatures

Monitoring your system temperatures is essential when using Ultimate Performance mode because your processor fans will spin faster and louder to push out extra heat, requiring you to keep computer vents clean so your hardware stays safe.

Summary

Windows 11 includes a hidden Ultimate Performance power plan that removes minor stutters in games and heavy apps by keeping your hardware at top speed constantly, though it increases power use and heat and is best unlocked only when needed.