How to Apply Energy Recommendations in Windows 11
Energy recommendations in Windows 11 are built-in power-saving tips that help lower your electricity bill and make your laptop battery last longer. These suggestions let you quickly fix power settings like screen brightness, sleep timers, and background apps with a single click.
You can find these options by opening the Settings app and going to System Power & battery Energy recommendations. Applying them takes less than a minute and stops your PC from wasting power when you are not using it.
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 computers try to download and install updates when the electricity grid relies on 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 helps lower personal carbon footprints by shifting computing tasks 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
Reducing a PC’s carbon footprint takes only a few clicks inside the main configuration menu. Press Win+I to launch the Settings app, then click System. Select Power & battery, followed by Energy recommendations. Review the suggested changes and click Apply all to turn them on.
- Open the Start menu and select Settings. You can also press the Win+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 extends beyond software choices. Selecting Energy Star-certified hardware and recycling aging components prevents unnecessary manufacturing waste.
Summary
Implementing Windows 11 energy recommendations makes computers more sustainable overall. Lower power bills and smaller carbon footprints benefit everyone. 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 local energy is by checking data from regional 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 works best when conserving 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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