Improve Battery Life - Windows 10 Power Settings
Optimizing Power and Battery Usage in Windows 10
Although Windows 10 receives considerable attention for its revamped Start menu, numerous features remain unfamiliar to users who bypassed Windows 8. This article focuses on the power and battery settings available within Windows 10.
Accessing these settings is most efficiently done by opening the Action Center and selecting "All settings".
Following this, navigate to the "System" group on the subsequent screen.
Power & Sleep Settings
Two key power-related categories are present, applicable to both laptop and desktop users: the "Power & sleep" settings. These settings allow for customization of system behavior.
The initial section manages the timing of your computer screen’s automatic shutdown when operating on battery power or when connected to a power source. The second section defines the periods of inactivity before the system enters sleep mode.
Located at the bottom of the "Power & sleep" settings is a "Related settings" section. This contains a direct link to "Additional power settings".
Accessing Power Options
Selecting "Additional power settings" will launch the familiar "Power Options" control panel. Users accustomed to previous Windows versions will recognize this interface.
Battery Saver Settings
The second category to investigate is the "Battery Saver Settings", a feature introduced with Windows 10. These settings provide options for extending battery life on portable devices.
Optimizing Battery Life with the New Power Saver
A new battery saver function is now available, mirroring similar functionalities found on smartphones and tablet devices.
This feature activates automatically when the battery level drops below a predefined threshold – 20% is the default – and initiates power-saving measures. These include restrictions on background processes and the delivery of push notifications.
The battery saver remains inactive by default and will not engage while the device is connected to a power source.
Selecting the "Battery use" link provides a concise overview of system component power consumption, displayed across a specific timeframe.
To manage background application activity, click or tap "Change background app settings". These applications are capable of receiving information, sending notifications, and remaining current, even when not actively in use.
Disabling unnecessary background apps through this setting can significantly reduce battery drain.
Detailed configuration of the battery saver is accessible via the "Battery saver settings" link. Here, you can adjust the activation point – the battery percentage at which the saver engages – to a value higher or lower than the default 20%.
Additional options allow control over push notification behavior and screen brightness while the battery saver is active.
Should the battery saver suppress a critical application, you can add it to an exception list. Select "Add an app" to designate applications that are always permitted to run, even when the battery saver is enabled.
Utilizing both the "Power & Sleep" and "Battery Saver" features will demonstrably increase your device’s operational time on a single charge.
Adjusting screen timeout durations and enabling low-power modes are straightforward yet impactful methods for extending battery life.
For more granular control over power settings, accessing the traditional Control Panel remains necessary, as its functionality has remained largely consistent since Windows 7.
We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences. Please contribute to the discussion in our forum if you have any questions or comments.
