How to optimize your Windows power settings for better battery life

How to optimize your Windows power settings for better battery life
A guide to optimize Windows power settings (Image via Unsplash)

Technology is a vital part of our everyday lives in today's society, and optimizing the battery life of our devices, especially Windows, has become critical, especially for those who like to travel. Running out of power while actively using a Windows device can be frustrating, especially if there is no power outlet nearby. Yet there are numerous methods for making the most out of a single charge.

In this guide, we'll provide you with efficient ways of optimizing your Windows power settings for a longer battery life.


Understanding Windows power settings and how to make your battery last longer

youtube-cover

Windows has several pre-installed power plans that are designed to balance your device's performance and battery life. These plans include Balanced, Power saver, and High performance, and each one comes with a set of default settings.

The Balanced plan is the default setting for most devices and balances performance and energy consumption. The Power-Saver plan is designed to conserve energy and extend battery life while sacrificing some performance. The High Performance plan offers the best performance but consumes more energy and, as a result, drains the battery more quickly.

In addition to these, you can customize your power settings to extend the battery life of your laptop even further. Display brightness, screen timeout, and sleep settings are all options in Windows that might impact your device's power usage.


Windows guide: Optimizing power settings for better battery life

youtube-cover

To optimize your Windows power settings for a better battery life, you need to select the right power plan for your needs and customize it to suit your preferences. Here's how:

1) Choose the right power plan

The first step in optimizing your device's battery life is to choose the proper power plan. For example, if you're on a lengthy journey or need your laptop to survive a long time, you should use the Power Saving option. Alternatively, if you are working on a project that necessitates high-performance capabilities, the High Performance plan should be used.

2) Customize power settings

After selecting the appropriate power plan, you can further customize it to suit your needs. Here are some ways to do this:

Display brightness

Because your device's display consumes a lot of power, lowering its brightness can help you save energy. You can change the brightness by hitting the Fn (Function) key and the F1-F12 keys, or by heading to the Control Panel's Display settings.

Screen timeout

Another way to save energy is to reduce the screen timeout setting. It controls how long your device will stay on before turning off the screen. Setting the screen timeout to a shorter duration will help conserve battery life.

Sleep settings

The sleep settings control when your device goes to Sleep mode. Reducing the sleep time or disabling it altogether can help save energy. However, be aware that disabling Sleep mode can cause your device to run out of battery faster.


Advanced power settings

youtube-cover

Windows also has several advanced power settings that you can customize to further optimize your device's battery life. These include options such as processor power management, system cooling policy, and USB selective suspend.

To access these settings, go to the Control Panel and select Power Options. Then click on "Change plan settings" and then "Change advanced power settings." Here are some settings you can customize:

Processor power management

This setting controls how much power your device's processor consumes. By reducing the maximum processor state, you can help save energy.

System cooling policy

The system cooling policy setting controls how your device manages heat. By selecting the Passive option, your device will reduce its cooling activities and save energy.

USB selective suspend

The USB selective suspend setting controls how your device manages USB devices. By enabling this setting, your machine will turn off USB devices when they are not in use, saving energy.


Other tips for extending battery life

youtube-cover

In addition to customizing your power settings, there are several other ways to extend your device's battery life.

1) Reduce power consumption

There are several ways to reduce your device's power consumption, including:

  1. Close unnecessary apps and programs.
  2. Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other wireless connections when not in use.
  3. Disconnect external devices such as printers and USB drives when not in use.
  4. Reduce the volume and screen brightness.

2) Recommendations for battery maintenance and care

Proper battery maintenance and care are essential for ensuring a longer battery life. Here are some tips:

  1. Charge your battery regularly, but don't overcharge it.
  2. Avoid extreme temperatures, which can affect battery life.
  3. Keep your battery contacts clean and free of dust and debris.
  4. Replace your battery when it starts to show signs of wear and tear.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Windows power settings is essential for better battery life, regardless of the device you are using. Choosing the right power plan and customizing settings can significantly extend your device's battery life. But, it is important to note that there is a trade-off between performance and battery life.

Aside from customizing power settings, there are other ways to conserve energy, such as reducing power consumption and proper battery maintenance. By taking notes of these tips, you can guarantee that your Windows device's battery lasts as long as possible.

Quick Links

Edited by Abu Amjad Khan
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications