How to Set Up and Use Power Throttling in Windows 11

Welcome to the world of Windows 11, where Microsoft has introduced some fantastic features to enhance the user experience and boost system performance. Among these features is Power Throttling, a tool that helps you optimize your laptop’s power usage while still ensuring a smooth computing experience. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up and using Power Throttling in Windows 11.

What is Power Throttling?

Power Throttling is a feature that was first introduced in Windows 10 and has been further refined in Windows 11. Its primary goal is to maximize power efficiency while maintaining a responsive user experience. This means that when your device is running on battery power, Power Throttling intelligently manages the usage of CPU resources, minimizing background tasks’ impact on your device’s battery life.

How to Set Up Power Throttling in Windows 11

Now, let’s dive into the steps to set up Power Throttling on your Windows 11 device. It’s a straightforward process that can be done in a few simple steps.

1. Access Power & Sleep Settings:
   • Start by clicking on the “Start” button in the taskbar.
   • Select “Settings” (the gear-shaped icon).
   • In the Settings window, click on “System.”
   • In the left sidebar, click on “Power & Sleep.”
2. Power & Sleep Settings:
   • In the “Power & Sleep” settings, you will find various options to customize your power plan.
   • Click on “Additional power settings” under the “Related settings” section.
3. Choose a Power Plan:
   • A new window will open, displaying your power plans. You will typically have three options: Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance.
   • Click on “Change plan settings” next to the power plan you are currently using. If you’re on a laptop, the Balanced plan is the default setting.
4. Change Advanced Power Settings:
   • In the next window, click on “Change advanced power settings.”
5. Enable Power Throttling:
   • In the “Advanced settings” window, scroll down until you find “Processor power management.”
   • Expand the “Processor power management” option by clicking on the plus sign (+).
   • You should now see “System cooling policy.” Select it.
   • In the drop-down menu, choose “Active” for both “On battery” and “Plugged in.”
   • Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.

By following these steps, you’ve successfully set up Power Throttling on your Windows 11 device. It’s worth mentioning that Power Throttling works best on laptops and portable devices, as it optimizes battery life.

Using Power Throttling in Windows 11

Now that you’ve enabled Power Throttling, it will automatically start managing the power usage of your background apps when your device is running on battery power. You don’t need to take any further action; it operates in the background, ensuring that your device is efficient without any manual intervention.

While Power Throttling is primarily designed to extend battery life, it is essential to understand how it might affect your overall user experience. Here are some points to consider:

• Performance Preservation: Power Throttling manages the CPU’s power consumption of background tasks, so you’ll see minimal performance impact on foreground applications. This means that your active tasks and programs should continue to run smoothly.
• Battery Life Improvement: Power Throttling can significantly extend your laptop’s battery life when it’s running on battery power. This is especially helpful when you’re on the move and don’t have access to a power source.
• Manual Overrides: In case you need to ensure maximum performance for specific tasks, you can override Power Throttling. Simply go back to the Power & Sleep settings, select your active power plan, and choose “High Performance” to disable Power Throttling temporarily.
• Effect on Background Apps: Power Throttling targets background apps that consume excessive power. As a result, certain tasks or applications may experience a slight delay in their execution, but this shouldn’t be noticeable for most users.

FAQ

Conclusion

Power Throttling in Windows 11 is a valuable tool for users who rely on their laptops and portable devices, especially when on the move. By efficiently managing background app CPU usage, it extends your battery life without compromising your overall computing experience.