battery saver Archives

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

Own an Android phone? 12 settings I changed to greatly extend its battery life

Many users seek to extend battery life on Android devices, especially budget models. Here are twelve settings that can enhance battery performance: 1. Turn off the always-on display to improve battery life. 2. Enable Adaptive Battery to optimize resource management based on usage patterns. 3. Activate Battery Saver mode to limit background activity and visual effects. 4. Switch to dark mode to reduce energy consumption on OLED displays. 5. Adjust display brightness and sleep time to enhance battery longevity. 6. Remove unused accounts to prevent background syncing that drains battery. 7. Turn off keyboard sounds and haptics to conserve energy. 8. Reduce notifications to limit background activity that drains battery. 9. Turn off "Hey Google" detection to prevent unnecessary battery drain. 10. Reduce the screen's refresh rate to improve battery performance. 11. Turn off unused wireless features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services. 12. Use low-power mode to limit background activity and reduce screen brightness in critical situations.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Windows 11 KB5068861 & KB5068865 cumulative updates released

Microsoft has released cumulative updates KB5068861 and KB5068865 for Windows 11 versions 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2, addressing critical security vulnerabilities, bugs, and introducing new features. The updates are mandatory and include the November 2025 Patch Tuesday security patches. Users can install the updates via Start > Settings > Windows Update or download them from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The build number for Windows 11 25H2 will change to Build 26200.7019, and 23H2 will update to 226x1.6050. New features include: - A revamped Start menu UI allowing removal of the Recommended feed. - Updated lock screen battery icons with color indicators and battery percentage. - A dedicated Microsoft 365 Copilot page for commercial devices. - Rebranding of the “Email & accounts” section to “Your accounts.” - Refreshed taskbar battery icons with clearer visual cues. - New Administrator Protection Preview feature for safeguarding admin rights. - API support for NIST post-quantum cryptography algorithms. Fixed issues include: - Taskbar app icon hover behavior. - Display issues in apps and browsers. - Context menu behavior in File Explorer. - Pen and handwriting input responsiveness. - Narrator launch issues during Windows setup. - Performance improvements in taskbar loading after sleep. This update is the final release for Windows 11 23H2, as support for this version ends today, and no optional updates will be released in December.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

Microsoft Starts Rolling Out Redesigned Start Menu to All Windows 11 Users

Microsoft released its November 2025 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, featuring a redesigned Start Menu and enhancements for the 25H2 and 24H2 versions. The KB5068861 update includes: - Improvements for Copilot+ PCs: - Click to Do enhancements for tasks like translating text and selecting objects. - File Explorer updates allowing quick action commands when hovering over files. - Voice Access enhancements with Fluid Dictation for better grammar and punctuation. - Enhanced Windows Search with semantic search capabilities. - Redesigned Start Menu with a scrollable All section, responsive layout, and Phone Link integration. - Taskbar updates with a new battery icon indicating charging status and health, along with battery life percentage displayed on the lock screen. - A new security control for Administrator Protection available in preview. - Quality updates addressing issues with Task Manager and gaming handheld devices. Two changes related to File Explorer have been postponed for a future update: recommended files for Microsoft Account users and third-party cloud storage integration.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

The Android IRS: How Google once tried to tax battery-sucking background apps

Google is implementing stricter controls on background processes in the Android ecosystem to conserve battery life. Developers can create foreground services for necessary background tasks, but this requires user notifications. Google encourages the use of APIs like JobScheduler, AlarmManager, and WorkManager for efficient background task management. The Android operating system does not effectively quantify battery costs for these tasks, and while there is a cap of 150 jobs per app, this can still lead to significant battery consumption. To address these issues, Google conceptualized the Android Resource Economy (TARE), which proposed a system where battery power is treated as a limited resource. TARE introduced a virtual currency called "Android Resource Credits" (ARCs) for executing background tasks, with a smaller unit called "Cakes." The system aimed to balance the Cost to Produce (CTP) of tasks with their Price in ARCs, adjusting dynamically based on device state. Apps earn ARCs through Regulations and Rewards, while spending is regulated by an enforcement mechanism that halts tasks if an app's balance is insufficient. TARE also included a "Consumption Limit" to align resource availability with battery status. However, TARE was abandoned with the rollout of Android 15, raising questions about the complexities of managing a virtual economy for battery behavior.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Google Maps is testing a battery-saving mode you’ve always needed

Google Maps is developing a power-saving mode to address battery drain issues during navigation. This feature, found in version 25.44.03.824313610 for Android, will prioritize essential information like upcoming turns and estimated time of arrival, reducing visual clutter to minimize power consumption. Users can activate this mode easily by pressing the power button during navigation, and it will work for driving, walking, and two-wheeler routes, though not for public transit. The mode operates independently from Android's system-wide battery saver, allowing activation at any time. However, it may not support landscape mode and could transition to a monochrome display, which might affect visibility for certain elements. An official release date is not yet announced, but it is expected to appear in a future beta version.

Winsage

October 29, 2025

Microsoft Issues Week D Preview Updates for Windows 11

Microsoft has released the Week D preview updates for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, introducing Preview Update KB5067036, which upgrades version 25H2 to build 26200.7019 and version 24H2 to build 26100.7019. Key features include: - Copilot+ PCs: Improvements to Click to Do, allowing text translation, unit conversion, object selection, and interaction with Live Persona cards from Microsoft 365. Touchscreen access is available via a two-finger press. - File Explorer: Quick action commands in Home view for signed-in users, with future support for work and school actions. - Voice Access: Enhanced Fluid Dictation for grammar and punctuation, configurable command delays, and added support for Japanese. - Agent in Settings: Now supports the French language. - Windows Search: Enhanced semantic search available on all Copilot+ PCs. For all Windows 11 PCs: - Start Menu: Redesigned with a scrollable All section, responsive layout, and Phone Link integration. - Taskbar: Updated battery icon indicating status colors and an option to display battery life percentage. - File Explorer: Home view shows recommended files for MSA users and supports third-party cloud storage integration. - Lock Screen: Updated battery icons from the Taskbar are now visible. - Settings: The Email & accounts page has been renamed to Your accounts. - Administrator Protection: New security control available in Windows Security or through Microsoft Intune or Group Policy. - Quality Updates: Includes bug fixes, security enhancements, and new AI model versions for Copilot+ PCs. These features are part of a Controlled Feature Release (CFR) and will be rolled out gradually.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

How to maximize your Windows 11 PC’s battery life in 9 easy steps

Windows PCs come with tools to manage power consumption, notably the Power Settings Command-Line Tool (Powercfg.exe), which can generate a battery report. This report, saved as an HTML document, details battery usage, capacity, and historical data. Users can create a battery report by opening Command Prompt and entering specific commands. The report shows the design capacity and current full-charge capacity of the battery, helping track degradation over time. The battery report also includes usage data over the past three days, allowing users to analyze which activities impact battery performance. The Battery Life Estimates section provides insights into potential battery longevity based on usage patterns. Windows 11 allows users to check app-specific power consumption through Settings > System > Power & Battery. The Energy Recommendations checklist in Windows 11 offers energy-saving options and direct links to relevant settings. Users can adjust sleep and display settings according to their preferences. The Shutdown command can be executed from Command Prompt or the Run dialog box for transitioning between power states. The Battery Saver feature, now called Energy Saver in version 24H2, conserves battery life by disabling non-essential activities and can be manually activated.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft introduces fresh Windows 11 update to help laptops last longer on battery

Microsoft has released an update for Windows 11 that enhances battery life for laptops through a new adaptive energy saver mode. This mode manages power consumption based on the laptop's workload, activating energy-saving features during light activities like web browsing and reducing power during intensive tasks. The energy saver mode dims the display brightness by about 30%, disables transparency effects, and pauses background app activity. The update will also provide more accurate battery estimates and insights into power-hungry applications. Additionally, it includes smarter controls for screen refresh rates and brightness, automatically lowering them when the user steps away. The update is being rolled out in the latest Windows 11 release.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

New Windows 11 trick will improve your Galaxy Book’s battery life

Microsoft is testing a new feature called Adaptive Battery Saver Mode for Windows 11 devices, which adjusts battery usage based on workload rather than just battery level. Unlike traditional Energy Saver mode, it maintains screen brightness and allows background tasks to continue without interruption. This feature is currently being tested in the Canary Channel under build number 27898, and if successful, it will be rolled out to all Windows 11 devices. The development coincides with advancements in power-efficient processors from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, aimed at improving battery performance in Windows laptops.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft wants Windows 11 to periodically enable battery saver mode while you work — even when your battery isn’t low

Microsoft is piloting an "adaptive energy saver" feature for Windows 11 that activates battery saver mode based on user activities, regardless of battery level. This opt-in feature automatically enables and disables energy saver without changing screen brightness, depending on the device's power state and system load. It aims to extend battery life during less demanding tasks by monitoring CPU and GPU usage. The adaptive energy saver is currently being tested with Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel and is exclusive to battery-powered devices. Users must activate it in Settings, as it is not enabled by default. The feature is part of Windows 11 build 27898, which is rolling out in preview.