How to Apply Energy Recommendations in Windows 11
Energy recommendations in Windows 11 help you make your PC use less power and save money on electricity bills.
These built-in suggestions guide you to adjust settings like screen brightness, sleep timers, and how apps run in the background. Windows 11 can even suggest dimming your screen after just 30 seconds of no activity.
Applying these energy-saving tips can also help your laptop battery last longer.
Apply energy recommendations in Windows 11 by going to Settings > System > Power & battery. Click “Energy recommendations” and then click “Apply all” to enable the suggested power-saving settings.
Carbon-Aware Windows Updates
Beyond optimizing power settings, Windows 11 also considers sustainability with Carbon-Aware Windows Updates. This means your PC tries to download and install updates when the electricity grid is using cleaner energy sources, like wind or solar. More details on this are available in the Microsoft Power Grid Forecast API documentation.
Cloud-Based Sustainability: Windows 365
Using Windows 365 can help lower your personal carbon footprint by moving your computer work to the cloud.
🪟 Windows 11 Power Modes Comparison
| Mode | Energy Savings | Performance Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Best Power Efficiency | High | Low |
| Balanced | Medium | Medium |
| Best Performance | Low | None |
How to Apply Energy Recommendations
You can apply energy recommendations in Windows 11 directly from the Settings app to help reduce your computer’s Windows 11 carbon footprint. Open the Start menu, then navigate to Settings and click on System. From there, select Power & battery, and then choose the Energy recommendations option to see and apply suggested changes.
- Open the Start menu and select Settings. You can also press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
- Click on the System tab on the left side of the window.
- Select the Power & battery tile on the right.
- Click on the Energy recommendations tile to see the options.
- Click the Apply all button to turn on the recommended settings.
Hardware Lifecycle and Circularity
Sustainable computing also involves hardware. Choosing Energy Star certified devices and keeping hardware up-to-date reduces the need for new manufacturing, and properly recycling old components supports a circular economy.
Summary
By using Windows 11 energy recommendations, you make your PC more sustainable. You benefit from lower power bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Whether through local settings or cloud services like Windows 365, every small step helps the environment.
How does 🪟 Windows 11 determine regional carbon intensity?
Windows 11 figures out how clean your local energy is by checking data from your area’s power providers.
What is the difference between Energy Saver mode and standard power plans?
Energy Saver mode aggressively limits background activity and reduces system performance to maximize battery life and lower power draw. Standard power plans, like Balanced, prioritize a mix of performance and efficiency. Energy Saver is best for when you need to conserve power during long work sessions or travel.
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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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