How to Change Power Plan
Settings in Windows 8
Information: A power plan is a collection of hardware and system
settings that manages how your computer uses power. Power plans can help you
save energy, maximize system performance, or achieve a balance between the two.
This will show you how to change the settings of a power plan that you
want to customize to reflect how you want Windows 8 to manage power.
Changes made to a power plan will affect all users that have that power plan
selected as their default power plan. All users (standard and administrator)
will be able to make changes to a power plan settings except for the grayed out
options. The grayed out options (ex: "require password on wakeup")
can only be changed by an administrator.
Note: Windows 8 provides the
following default plans:
Balanced
- Offers full performance when you
need it and saves power when you don't. This is the best power plan for most
people.
Power
saver - Saves power by reducing PC
performance and screen brightness. If you're using a laptop, this plan can help
you get the most from a single battery charge.
High
performance - Maximizes screen brightness
and might increase PC performance. This plan uses a lot more energy, so your
laptop battery won't last as long between charges.
Custom power plan - These are only available if either your PC
manufacturer (OEM) provided additional power plans, and/or you create a
custom power plan. These are available to all users.
Steps:
1.
Do step 2
or 3 below for how you would like to open Power Options.
2.
Left or right
click on the Power (battery) icon in the notification area, at the far
right of the taskbar (on desktop), click on more power options or Power
options, and go to step 4 below.
NOTE:
The Power icon is only
available if the computer has a battery (ex: laptop or tablet), or
connected to a UPS.
Open the Control Panel
(icons view), click on the Power Options icon, and go to step 4 below.
4. Click on the Change plan settings link to the
right of the power plan that you want to change the settings of, then do either
step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to change. (see screenshot
below) NOTE: Normally you would want to change the settings of the power
plan that you have selected (dotted) as your default power plan.
5. To Change
"Sleep" & "Display" Power Plan Settings
A) Select how many minutes to
wait for the Turn off display and Put the computer to sleep settings,
or select never if you do not want to use a setting. NOTE: If you
have a computer has a battery (ex: laptop or tablet), or connected to a UPS,
then you will be able to change these settings for when your computer is on
battery and plugged in.
B) When finished, click on the Save
changes button to apply your changes.
6. To Change Advanced Power
Settings
A) Click on the Change advanced
power settings link.
B) Click on the Change
settings that are currently unavailable link. NOTE: You will need to
be signed in as an administrator for this option. This option allows you
to change the power plan settings that are grayed out by default.
C) You can now make changes to
the power plan settings below to suite your needs. NOTE: If you have a
computer has a battery (ex: laptop or tablet), or connected to a UPS,
then you will be able to change these settings for when your computer is on
battery and plugged in.
D) When finished, click on OK
to apply your changes.
Referral Web Links:
