Microsoft’s latest initiative aims to enhance user awareness of power consumption through a new feature in Windows 11. The upcoming energy usage graph will provide users with a visual representation of their PC’s power consumption trends over time, a significant upgrade from the current battery usage metrics.
Windows 11 will give you a deeper look at your PC’s power consumption
Initially introduced in 2022, the battery usage graph within the Windows 11 Settings app has served as a useful tool for monitoring battery drain on an hourly basis. However, it lacks the capability to deliver detailed insights into overall power consumption. The forthcoming energy usage graph is expected to fill this gap, offering users a clearer understanding of when their devices are drawing high or low energy.
This new feature is designed to complement the existing battery level graph. As noted by Windows leaker Albacore, while the battery usage graph indicates battery drain, it does not explain the underlying causes. Users will likely find that a notable drop in battery levels corresponds with a spike in the energy usage graph, providing a more comprehensive view of power dynamics.
Moreover, if Microsoft includes application-specific power consumption data, akin to the current battery usage per app feature, users will gain even deeper insights into which applications are consuming the most power.
Windows 11 Task Manager can come in handy in identifying power usage
While the energy usage graph is still in development, users eager to monitor their PC’s power consumption can currently rely on the Task Manager. This tool offers insights into the power usage of individual applications and processes, albeit without the broader context of overall energy trends.
The Task Manager provides real-time data on power consumption, focusing on currently running applications. To access this information, users can open the Task Manager, navigate to the Processes tab, right-click on any column header, and select the Power usage and Power usage trends options. However, it is important to note that this method does not reflect historical energy usage trends, which the new energy usage graph will ultimately provide.
