How To Enable Or Disable Ultimate Performance Mode In Windows 11
Ultimate Performance mode in Windows 11 is a hidden power plan that removes tiny system delays to squeeze the absolute highest speed out of your hardware. Microsoft originally built this special setting for powerful workstations and high-end servers.
Standard power plans focus on saving battery life or electricity. Ultimate Performance mode takes off the brakes so your processor and hard drives run at full speed all the time.
Open Terminal as an administrator, type powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61, and press Enter to enable Ultimate Performance mode in Windows 11. Then open Settings , go to System, select Power and battery, and choose the new power plan to turn it on. Switch back to Balanced in your settings to turn it off.
Balanced Mode Does a Great Job Overall
The Balanced power plan handles everyday tasks like web browsing and office work. It saves energy when your computer is idle and speeds up hardware immediately when you open demanding apps.
Why Microsoft Hides the Ultimate Performance Plan
Microsoft hides the Ultimate Performance plan by default because it forces your computer hardware to stay at top speed all the time, which causes higher electricity bills on desktops, drains laptop batteries very quickly, and makes your machine run much hotter than normal.
The Ultimate Performance Power Plan Is Easy to Unlock
Unlock the hidden Ultimate Performance power plan using an elevated Command Prompt. This hidden power scheme removes tiny hardware delays to give your computer maximum speed, and you do not need any special software or advanced technical skills to turn it on.
If your account is a standard user account, you will need an administrator to type the command for you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Ultimate Performance Mode
- Click the Start button on your taskbar.
- Type the word Terminal or Command Prompt into the search box.
- Look for Terminal or Command Prompt in the search results. Right-click on it with your mouse.
- 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).
- Carefully type or copy and paste the following exact text into the black window:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 - Press the Enter key on your keyboard.
- 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 Terminal or Command Prompt as an administrator and run a specific text command. This process adds the hidden power scheme directly to your Control Panel so you can select it just like any other power plan.
- Click the Start button and open the Settings app (the gear icon).
- Click on System on the left side, and then click on Power & battery on the right side.
- 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).
- Click the circle next to Ultimate Performance to select it.
Gaming Performance and Real-World Results
Ultimate Performance mode rarely increases frame rates (the speed at which images appear on your screen) for most users.
Ultimate Performance mode helps eliminate micro-stutters, which are split-second pauses that freeze your screen 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
You can disable Ultimate Performance mode in Windows 11 at any time by opening the Control Panel and switching your active power plan back to Balanced or Power saver. This stops your processor from running at maximum speed constantly, which helps save power and reduce heat.
- Click the Start button and open the Settings app.
- Click on System and then select Power & battery.
- 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
Running Ultimate Performance mode on laptops will drain your battery much faster because the processor runs at maximum speed constantly without scaling down to save power. Laptop users should usually stick to the Balanced plan unless the computer stays plugged into a wall outlet all the time.
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.
Was this guide helpful?
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.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!