Power Mode Archives

Winsage

April 8, 2025

How to check apps draining the most battery on Windows 11

Users experiencing rapid battery drain on Windows 11 laptops may find that certain applications are consuming excessive energy. To identify and mitigate the impact of these power-hungry apps, users can take several steps: 1. Change Power Mode: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Power Mode and select "Best Power Efficiency." 2. Enable Energy Saver: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Energy Saver and either turn on the "Always use energy saver" toggle or set a battery level to activate it automatically. 3. Energy Recommendations: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Energy Recommendations and apply individual or all suggested changes. 4. Restrict Background Permissions: - Open Settings > System > Power & battery. - Click on Battery usage, analyze app usage, select the app, and manage background activity by choosing "Never" under background app permissions. 5. Uninstall App: - Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. - Select the app to uninstall and follow the instructions. These actions can help optimize battery life on Windows 11 laptops.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

5 essential tips to optimize Windows 11 for office work

Windows 11 includes features to enhance productivity, particularly through customization for older PCs. Key strategies include: 1. Virtual Desktops: Use Win + Tab or the Task View icon to create separate virtual desktops for work, allowing for a more organized workspace. Applications can be dragged into this desktop and will reappear upon reopening. 2. Focus Sessions: Activate Focus via Settings -> System -> Focus to set timers for work sessions and breaks, enabling Do Not Disturb mode to silence notifications during work periods. 3. System Optimization: Select a High Performance power plan in Control Panel -> Power Options or Settings -> System -> Power & battery, and disable unnecessary startup apps in Task Manager to improve performance. 4. Pinning Apps and Snap Layouts: Pin frequently used applications to the taskbar for quick access and use Snap Layouts by dragging windows to the screen edges for efficient arrangement. 5. Keyboard Shortcuts: Utilize essential Windows 11 shortcuts to enhance efficiency, such as Windows key + A for Quick Settings, Windows key + E for File Explorer, and Windows key + H for voice typing.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Unlock turbo performance on your PC with this secret Windows tweak

Windows has a hidden power mode called Ultimate Performance that can enhance PC performance without hardware upgrades. This mode is typically concealed on consumer PCs and is primarily intended for high-end workstations running Windows Pro, but it can also be accessed on Windows Home. To activate it, users need to open PowerShell and enter a specific command, then select Ultimate Performance from the power plan options. While this mode maximizes speed and responsiveness, it consumes more power, which can decrease battery life on laptops and generate additional heat and noise from the cooling system. It is recommended to use this mode during intensive tasks and not in quiet or public environments.

Winsage

February 16, 2025

12 Ways To Make Windows 11 Run Faster

Windows is a dominant operating system known for its affordability and software compatibility, but users often face performance issues. To enhance performance on Windows 11, users can: 1. Restart the device weekly and ensure it is up-to-date to resolve bugs and improve security. 2. Disable unnecessary startup applications via Settings > Apps > Startup or Task Manager. 3. Use Task Manager to monitor and terminate resource-hungry applications. 4. Uninstall unnecessary pre-installed software using tools like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller. 5. Upgrade hardware by installing an SSD or adding RAM for better performance. 6. Regularly scan for malware using Windows Security to maintain system health. 7. Adjust power settings to "Best Performance" under Settings > System > Power & battery > Power Mode. 8. Free up disk space using built-in tools like Storage Sense or by manually deleting old files. 9. Disable unnecessary visual effects via Settings > Accessibility > Visual Effects or Control Panel. 10. Pause OneDrive or other cloud storage services to reduce resource consumption during intensive tasks. 11. Disable File Explorer search indexing if frequent searches are not needed. 12. Use the system restore feature to revert to a previous state if performance issues persist.

Winsage

December 12, 2024

7 settings to change on your Windows 11 PC to maximize battery life

Windows PCs, particularly newer laptop models, have improved battery performance, but users often experience reduced battery life over time. A three-year-old Windows laptop may drop from six to seven hours of screen time to struggling to reach three hours. Software adjustments can help maximize battery life. 1. Lowering screen brightness to around 30-40% can extend battery life. 2. The Battery Saver option in Windows 11 can be manually enabled to disable power-hungry activities. 3. Reducing display and sleep timeout settings can conserve energy. 4. Disabling unnecessary startup applications can save battery resources. 5. Turning off animation effects can improve battery life, especially on older devices. 6. Shutting down the laptop instead of just closing the lid can prevent unexpected battery drain. 7. Changing the power mode from Balanced to Best power efficiency can significantly extend battery life.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

These are my 15 favorite features and changes that Microsoft added to Windows 11 in 2024

- Windows 11 introduced the Sudo command, allowing users to execute commands with elevated privileges without launching the Windows Terminal as an administrator. - An "Energy Saver" mode was added to enhance power management, combining features of the previous "Battery Saver" and "Power Mode." - Users can now modify power button actions directly from Settings without accessing the legacy Control Panel. - The date and time format in the Taskbar's System Tray has been revised to omit the AM/PM designation and the four-digit year. - Taskbar navigation has been improved, allowing users to focus on applications using their initial letters. - Users can customize mouse scrolling direction via Settings without accessing the Registry. - Windows 11 now supports Wi-Fi 7, promising speeds exceeding 40 Gbps. - A network refresh button was added to the Quick Settings flyout for easier scanning of available wireless networks. - Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) enhances gaming visuals on Copilot+ PCs by upscaling images and improving frame rates. - Windows Studio effects enhance video and audio calls with AI-driven features, now available to all Copilot+ PC users. - The context menu in File Explorer has been updated to include labels for commonly used actions. - A new archive compression wizard allows users to create Zip, TAR, and 7zip files. - The "Link to Windows" feature enables browsing and transferring files from Android devices to Windows 11 computers without a USB connection. - The "Windows Setup" interface has been revamped with a cleaner design and simplified installation process. - A customizable Copilot key option allows users to remap this key to any application from the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

October 26, 2024

Warning! Most Windows power settings slow Intel’s new CPUs to a crawl

Intel's Core Ultra processor, Arrow Lake, performs optimally only in Windows 11's "Best Performance" mode. In "Balanced" mode, performance drops by 55% compared to the 14900K, and by 67% in "Power Saving" mode. Reviews from PCWorld, Gamers’ Nexus, and TechSpot highlight inconsistencies in performance across different games and Windows versions. Intel confirmed that testing was done on Windows 11 24H2 and acknowledged reports of lower performance in "Balanced" mode, recommending the "Best Performance" mode instead.

Winsage

October 16, 2024

8 ways to fine-tune Windows 11 for optimal performance without the bloat

- Change the power mode settings to High performance for a speed boost, especially in resource-intensive tasks. - Run antivirus scans to eliminate viruses and malware that may slow down the computer. - Disable search indexing to free up system resources if the search function is rarely used. - Increase the page file size to provide a virtual memory boost for systems with limited RAM. - Limit bandwidth for Windows updates to ensure responsive internet speeds. - Disable unnecessary startup tasks to streamline the boot process and improve overall performance. - Use Efficiency mode in Task Manager to reduce CPU allocation for background apps, but consider disabling it for important applications. - Utilize Win11Debloat to remove unnecessary pre-installed applications and features, enhancing system performance.

Winsage

September 25, 2024

Microsoft confirms new features and bugs in Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.1876

Microsoft has updated the release notes for Windows 11 24H2 preview build 26100.1876, introducing features such as the ability to toggle mouse acceleration on or off, and adjust scrolling direction. Users can also select a preferred power mode for their device in the "Power & Battery" section. However, there is an issue with screen readers, specifically the NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) application, which cannot narrate content from applications running with elevated privileges. The official launch of Windows 11 version 24H2 is expected in October, with additional updates anticipated before the public release.

AppWizard

September 20, 2024

Let’s Get Visual: inReach Messenger Plus Brings Photo and Voice to the Backcountry

Garmin has introduced the inReach Messenger Plus, which allows users to pair the device with their smartphones to share photos and send 30-second voice messages. The new device increases text message capacity from 160 characters to 1,600 characters. The inReach Messenger Plus utilizes Iridium Messaging Transport for improved messaging capabilities and is designed to be rugged, with water resistance rated at IPX7. It features a rechargeable lithium battery that can last up to 600 hours in low-power mode and can be charged via a smartphone if needed. The device includes an SOS button that can send images to aid in locating users in emergencies. Subscriptions for the service start at .99 a month.