Windows 7 - Power Plan - Select

Brink

How to Select a Power Plan in Windows 7

Information

This will help show you how to select either a Balanced, Power Saver, High Performance, or Custom power plan in Windows 7.

Note

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.

Tip

You may also have a custom power plan available from your computer manufacturer (OEM) that may also appear by default on the battery meter on a mobile PC (laptop), or as one of the preferred power plans (step 7 below) on a desktop computer.

Here's How:

1. Open the Start Menu, and type powercfg.cpl in the search box and press enter.
A) Go to step 3.

OR

2. Open the Control Panel (All Items View).
A) Click on the Power Options icon.

3. To see alll of your available power plans, you will need to click on the drop down arrow to the right of Show additional plans. (See screenshots below)

4. For a Balanced Power Plan
NOTE: Offers full performance when you need it and saves power during periods of inactivity. This power plan balances energy conservation with performance.
A) Select (dot) Balanced (Recommended). (See screenshots below step 3)

B) Go to step 8.

5. For a Power Saver Power Plan
NOTE: Saves power by reducing system performance. This plan can help mobile PC users get the most from a single battery charge. This power plan conserves energy.
A) Select (dot) Power saver. (See screenshots below step 3)

B) Go to step 8.

6. For a High Performance Power Plan
NOTE: This power plan maximizes system performance and responsiveness. Mobile PC users may notice that their battery doesn't last as long when using this plan.
A) Select (dot) High Performance. (See screenshots below step 3)

B) Go to step 8.

7. For a Custom Power Plan
NOTE: To be able to select a custom power plan, either the OEM will have one listed or you must have created a custom power plan.
A) Select (dot) an available custom power plan. (See screenshot below)

8. Close the Power Options window. (See screenshots below step 3)

9. You can also change the Advanced Power Plan Settings for this selected power plan if you like.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

Mushu · 07-14-2009

Is it possible to set it to automatically change from High Power plan to the Power Saver plan when you use the battery on Windows 7 like you could with 3rd Party programs on Vista?

Brink · 07-14-2009

Hello Mushu,

No, but since you have separate On Battery and Plugged In settings, you can set how you want it be in the Advanced Power Plan Settings for that power plan for when you are on battery instead to basically run that way.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

DarkDavil · 08-17-2009

Thanks Brink

Im not really noticing a big difference in speed, but im sure its their

Brink · 08-17-2009

Hello DarkDavil,

This may help some more with that.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ndows-7-a.html

ratePV · 08-17-2009

Using High performance on all desktops and balanced/power saver
on my laptop.
Sure can feel the difference between HP and Balanced(especially
when closing windows(faster responce time)!
the only flaw is that in HP mod power consumption a generation of heat is
bigger!
Luv your tutorials! Very useful!

CarlTR6 · 03-02-2010

I use a modified balanced plan. My rig is old so I am not worried about high performance. My computer runs 24/7 so I have my wireless run all of the time. My HD's turn off after one hour and my monitor after ten minutes. I have sleep disabled.

typ911411and718 · 07-18-2010

hi, the way i'm seeing my power plans display is always by two, and "balance" is always there, i want to know how i can change that to showing either three or "high" and "power save".

thanks

Brink · 07-18-2010

Hello Typ, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you mean the power plans that are displaying on the taskbar notification "Power" icon, then you cannot change the what is displayed. However, you can use the tutorial below to create your own custom shortcut to switch between the power options of your choice, and be able to pin them to the taskbar to make using them easier if you like.

Power Plan - Create Shortcut to Change Power Plan

If this is not what you meant, then please let me know.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

typ911411and718 · 07-19-2010

oh great, this is pretty cool, i'll check it out. thanks.

though it sucks that the display can't be changed, this might be better....

Windows 7 - Power Plan - Select

Power Plan - Select

Power Plan - Select problems?