Windows power mode: what it does and which to choose

What Windows power mode does

Microsoft describes power mode as a way to choose between better battery life, better performance, or a balance of the two. In Windows 11 there are three settings:

• Best power efficiency: saves battery life. Microsoft says it reduces power use by limiting background activity, whether the laptop is plugged in or on battery.
• Balanced: balances performance and battery life.
• Best performance: maximizes performance. Microsoft says it can help the processor run faster when needed, but on laptops it drains the battery more quickly and may make the device run warmer. It recommends using it only when you need maximum performance and power isn’t a concern.

Under the hood, Microsoft’s documentation for PC makers describes each mode as a “lite” power plan. It changes only settings that affect performance, mainly how the processor manages power. Screen and sleep timeouts aren’t part of it. PC makers can also connect their own settings, such as graphics and thermal behavior, to each mode, so the effect varies from laptop to laptop.

Where to find power mode

Windows 11

Select Start → Settings → System → Power & battery. Under Power mode, choose a setting for Plugged in and for On battery.

Windows 10

Select the battery icon on the taskbar and drag the slider. Microsoft says this needs Windows 10 version 1703 or later, and that the slider isn’t available on all PCs because it depends on the hardware and the manufacturer. Microsoft’s documentation lists four positions: Battery saver (on battery only), Better battery (sometimes labeled Recommended), Better performance (the default, unless the PC maker sets another) and Best performance.

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. If you’re still using it, see our Windows 10 end of support guide.

Desktop PCs

According to Microsoft, showing power mode on PCs without a battery is something the PC maker has to opt into, so it may not appear on a desktop at all.

Power mode vs power plan

Power plans are the older settings in Control Panel → System and Security → Power Options. Microsoft lists three standard plans: Power saver, Balanced and High performance. A plan covers many settings, including when the screen turns off and when the PC sleeps, and only one plan is active at a time.

Power mode works on top of the Balanced plan. Microsoft says the slider appears only when Balanced, or a plan based on Balanced, is selected. On laptops that use Modern Standby, a newer power-management design, Windows allows only Balanced and plans based on it, so you may see no other plans in Control Panel.

For most people, the simplest setup is to leave the plan on Balanced and use power mode. If you pick High performance or Power saver in Control Panel instead, the power mode setting isn’t available until you switch back to Balanced.

Why power mode is greyed out or missing

• A different power plan is selected. Microsoft says that if you can’t change the power mode, a custom power plan might be selected. Open Control Panel → System and Security → Power Options and select Balanced.
• Your PC doesn’t support it. On Windows 10, availability depends on the hardware and manufacturer. On desktops, the manufacturer has to enable it.
• Your laptop maker has its own app. Some manufacturers tie their own performance or cooling modes to the Windows setting. Lenovo’s ThinkPad manuals, for example, describe switching between Best power efficiency, Balanced and Best performance either in the Lenovo Vantage app or in Windows’ power mode setting. If the Windows control isn’t available, look in your maker’s app.
• It’s a work or school PC. Microsoft says access to power settings can be controlled through Group Policy, so your organization may have locked them.

Which power mode to choose on an older laptop

On battery

Use Balanced for everyday use. Switch to Best power efficiency when you need the battery to last, for example on a long trip. Windows 11 also has Energy saver (Settings → System → Power & battery), which Microsoft says turns on when the battery is low, dims the screen and limits background processes.

Plugged in

Use Balanced by default. Try Best performance when you’re doing something demanding, like editing photos or video. If the fan gets loud or the laptop gets hot, go back to Balanced; Microsoft says Best performance can make a device run warmer. Our laptop overheating guide covers the fixes.

What power mode won’t fix

Power mode adjusts how hard the processor works. It won’t make up for a slow hard drive or too little memory. If your laptop is slow in every mode, see our guides to speeding up an old laptop and upgrading to an SSD.

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows power mode affect performance?

Yes. It mainly changes how the processor balances speed against power use, and PC makers can tie other settings to it. How big the difference is depends on the laptop, so try each mode with the apps you actually use.

Is Balanced or Best performance better?

Balanced is the better everyday choice, especially on battery. Best performance is for demanding tasks while plugged in. Microsoft says it drains the battery faster and may make the laptop run warmer.

Does Windows power mode affect gaming?

It can, because games lean on the processor and graphics. Plug in and use Best performance if the laptop stays cool enough. Microsoft notes that Game Mode works independently of the power mode and can be on in any mode.

Why is my Windows power mode greyed out?

Usually because a power plan other than Balanced is active. Go to Control Panel → System and Security → Power Options and select Balanced. If that doesn’t help, check your laptop maker’s app, and on a work PC ask your IT department.

More in Low-Spec Performance

• How to speed up an old laptop: 10 checks, in order
• Games for integrated graphics: 13 that run without a graphics card
• Running AI on an older laptop: what’s realistic
• Laptop overheating: what causes it and how to fix it
• Is a graphics card upgrade worth it in an old desktop?

Sources

• Microsoft: Change the power mode for your Windows PC
• Microsoft: Power settings in Windows 11
• Microsoft: Tips to improve PC performance in Windows
• Microsoft Learn: Customize the Windows performance power slider
• Microsoft Learn: Power policy settings
• Lenovo: ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 user guide, Reduce power consumption and heat