Tips to Maximize Battery Life on Windows 11

Whether you’re working on the go or simply trying to squeeze more out of your laptop’s battery, optimizing your Windows 11 settings can make a significant difference. If you find yourself constantly searching for an outlet, these battery-saving tweaks will help you extend usage time, without compromising performance. Let’s dive into the best tips to get the most out of your battery life on Windows 11.

Activate Power Saver Mode

Windows 11 comes with a built-in Power Saver mode that significantly reduces battery-draining features. By temporarily limiting background apps and lowering screen brightness, it gives you more time when you’re in a pinch.

How to enable Power Saver mode:

  • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  • Navigate to System >> Power & Battery.
  • Under the Power section, turn on Battery Saver.
  • You can also set Battery Saver to turn on automatically when your battery drops below a specific threshold (e.g., 20%).

Activating this mode helps limit things like notifications and updates that can drain the battery faster.

Manage Background Apps

Running apps in the background can significantly impact battery performance, even when you’re not using them. Fortunately, Windows 11 allows you to control which apps can run in the background.

How to disable background apps:

  • Go to Settings >> Apps >> Installed apps.
  • Scroll through the list and click on the three dots next to any unnecessary app.
  • Choose Advanced options, and under the Background apps permissions, select Never.

This will ensure that apps you don’t actively use aren’t consuming precious battery life.

Optimize Display Settings

Your screen is one of the biggest battery drags, especially if it’s too bright or if your display settings are demanding.

  • Reduce screen brightness: Lower the brightness to an optimal level for your surroundings. You can do this via Settings >> System >> Display and adjust the slider.
  • Shorten screen timeout: Set your screen to turn off sooner when you’re not actively using your laptop. Head to Settings >> System > Power & Battery and under Screen and sleep, change the timeout to a lower duration.
  • Use Dark Mode: Switching to dark mode can save battery on OLED or AMOLED displays, as dark pixels use less power. To activate, go to Settings >> Personalization >> Colors, then select Dark under the “Choose your color” section.

Switch to Battery-Saving Video Playback

Watching videos or streaming content can eat up a lot of battery. By tweaking the video playback settings, you can reduce the quality to save power.

How to reduce video playback resolution:

  • Open Settings >> Apps >> Video Playback.
  • Enable the option that says Play video at a lower resolution when on battery. This reduces the strain on your battery while watching videos.

Adjust Power Mode for Energy Efficiency

Windows 11 offers a range of power modes, each optimized for different usage scenarios. By default, your device is likely set to Balanced, which adjusts performance dynamically.

For maximum battery life, switch to the Power Saver mode.

How to change your Power Mode:

  • Open Settings and go to System >> Power & Battery.
  • Under the Power section, click on Power Mode and select Best power efficiency.

This setting minimizes power usage across the system, prioritizing battery life over performance.

Disable Startup Programs

Some apps automatically run when your computer boots, consuming valuable system resources (and battery life). Turning off unnecessary startup programs can give your battery a bit more longevity.

How to disable startup apps:

  • Press keyboard keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or right-click on the taskbar) to open the Task Manager.
  • Go to the Startup tab, right-click on any apps you don’t need at startup, and select Disable.

Alternatively, you can do this through Settings > Apps > Startup and toggle off the apps you don’t need immediately.

Turn Off Unnecessary Features and Services

Several Windows features and services can consume battery life without offering much value. Here are some to consider turning off:

  • Location Services: If you don’t need or regular use location tracking, you can disable within Settings >> Privacy & Security >> Location, and toggle it off.
  • Bluetooth: If you’re not actively using Bluetooth devices, you can also turn it off. Go to Settings >> Devices >> Bluetooth & other devices.
  • Wi-Fi and Networking: When you don’t need an internet connection, turning off Wi-Fi can prevent unnecessary power drain. Disable it via the action center (bottom right of task bar, or keyboard shortcut Windows button + A) or in Settings >> Network & Internet.

Enable Sleep and Hibernation Modes

When you’re not actively using your device, sending it to sleep or hibernation can save battery life by reducing power usage. Make sure your PC goes into sleep mode when inactive for a set period.

How to adjust sleep settings:

  • Open Settings >> System >> Power & Battery.
  • Under Screen and sleep, set When plugged in and On battery power to shorter durations.

Keep Your System Updated

Windows 11 regularly rolls out updates that could improve performance and battery life.

Keeping your system updated ensures you have the latest optimizations and bug fixes that may ultimately help with battery efficiency.

To check for updates, go to Settings >> Windows Update and click on “Check for updates.”

Balance Battery Life with Performance

Improving battery life is all about finding a balance between power-saving settings and the tasks you’re performing. While the tips above can significantly extend battery life, be mindful of your needs. For example, if you’re working on resource-heavy tasks like video editing, you might need to turn off some of these settings to ensure smooth performance. But for general use, these changes will help keep your battery running longer.

By tweaking your settings and being mindful of your usage, you’ll notice a noticeable difference in how long your laptop lasts on a single charge.


Comments Section

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



,
Back to Top - Modernizing Tech