Keep Windows PCs Awake with PowerToys

How to stop Windows from turning the screen or display off

You can keep Windows awake PowerToys by downloading ⬇️ the free utility from GitHub and installing 💿 it on your computer. This Microsoft tool lets you stop your screen from turning off automatically without changing your main Windows power plan. Once you install the app, it runs in the background so you can manage your display settings easily.

To do that, go to the link below and download PowerToys.

Releases · microsoft/PowerToys · GitHub

On the screen, click on PowerToysSetup-0.43.0-x64.exe

Keep in mind that future versions might show a different version number than what's in the image.

Open your Downloads folder, double-click the installer, and select Next to launch the setup wizard.

Select Automatically start PowerToys (Preview) at logon on the next screen.

Finally, click Install to add PowerToys to your Windows 11 PC.

After installing the app, close the PowerToys Welcome screen when it first launches. Then go to the Start menu and search for "PowerToys," as highlighted below.

Then right-click the app icon and select Run as administrator.

Click the Restart as Administrator button on the General tab, as highlighted below.

When the app re-opens, toggle the button to On to Always run as administrator. Also, turn on Run as a startup and Download update automatically, as highlighted in the image below.

PowerToys Awake uses a setting called "Keep awake" to prevent your Windows PC from sleeping. To turn on "Keep awake," first open the PowerToys app. Then, click the "Awake" tab in the left menu and toggle the button to the "on" position. Check the box to keep your screen on, then select the desired mode from the options provided.

The following Awake states can be selected:

• Off (Passive) - The computer's awakeness state is unaffected. The application is waiting for user input.
• Keep awake indefinitely - The computer stays awake until the user explicitly puts the machine to sleep or exits/disables the application.
• Keep awake temporarily - Keep the machine awake for a pre-defined limited time. Once the time elapses, the computer resumes its previous awakeness state.

You can also keep the PC awake temporarily, then specify how long.

Exit and restart your computer.

How to use Awake from the Taskbar

You can control your display settings quickly when you use Awake from the taskbar PowerToys without opening the main application window. Look in the bottom-right corner of your screen and click the upward-pointing arrow to reveal hidden icons. Right-click the small blue cup icon to choose how long you want your computer to stay awake.

Click the show icons up arrow, then right-click on the Awake teacup icon and select the mode you want the computer to stay awake or turn off to use the default power & sleep settings on the PC.

That completes the setup process.

Microsoft PowerToys includes the Awake utility to prevent your Windows PC from going to sleep or turning off the display.

• Microsoft PowerToys offers the Awake utility to prevent your Windows PC from going to sleep or turning off the display.
• It is especially useful in environments where corporate settings automatically limit display time, enhancing productivity.
• Users can customize Awake settings to keep their computers awake indefinitely or for a specified timeframe.
• Access and adjust Awake settings conveniently from the Taskbar for on-the-fly changes.
• Installing PowerToys is a straightforward process, ensuring you can quickly implement these features and improve your Windows experience.