Stop Laptop Battery From Charging When Running Windows 7


  1. Posts : 84
    Windows 7 Professional
       #1

    Stop Laptop Battery From Charging When Running Windows 7


    I have researched this and seen other posts, but haven't really found anything great about how to solve this.
    Does anyone know if there are any new ways of being able to stop a laptop battery from charging within Windows 7?

    On occasion I have seen this option available in certain laptop BIOS, but am looking for more of a universal way within Windows 7. I am looking for a simple "Power Option" that allows you to turn on and off the ability to charge your battery when plugged in and running Windows 7. Ideally this wouldn't require an extra piece of 3rd party software to accomplish.

    I would like to be able to only charge my battery when the laptop is not running.
    I am not sure if Windows would have access to hardware in this way?
    If anyone has any new information to share, please let me know.

    Thank You
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #2

    As the charge is controlled by a dedicated hardware and works even with the computer off, I don't think is possible.
    The charger loads the battery with a fixed current and when the voltage reaches a certain level (set point) it stops charging.
    I have seen laptops that the user can set the maximum charge to 75% (lower charging set point) to make the battery last longer.
    I have a friend that fond a solution to make the battery last for years. He takes out the battery when he is at the office or at home and only use it when out (office or home).
    ONLY remove the battery with the laptop off and the charger disconnected.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #3

    Hi,
    Is unplugging it too tough :)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 714
    Win 7 Pro, SP1, x86, Win-11/Pro/64
       #4

    As a computer tech of 36+ years, I don't understand the need or want of telling the battery to NOT charge.
    The motherboard circuitry charges the battery, not Windows. When the battery reaches 100% of full charge the motherboard logic stops the charge.

    If you need your laptop in an emergency, like Houston just saw, or like Florida is going to see this weekend, you'd be very glad to have a battery that's FULLY charged. I have 8 laptops and I try to keep them all fully charged. If one dies I just fire up another one. As long as my Cable stays UP, I'm good to go, even if my own Line Power goes out. (and with hurricane Irma bearing down on us, it probably will)

    I have over 2500 watts of battery backup here in my house, and in an extended power outage I can recharge my batteries off of my car.

    Stay safe my friends,
    TechnoMage
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 84
    Windows 7 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thank you guys for all the responses,
    You guys touched on some of my concerns, in some positive and negative ways :)
    Again, it isn't a big deal, so don't take any of the following too seriously....

    1.) I am not totally sure that when the is fully charged (100%) that it just stops receiving power, to my understanding some technology does not know when to stop charging, do ALL laptop have this shut off when battery is at 100%? How would you know if those cells at 100% are not constantly receiving power?

    2.) Removing the battery is something I have done in the past, but when you do so your laptop has a large missing gap in the back which makes it a little difficult to pickup or set down on a flat service.

    3.) If you have the battery removed and the laptop is on and you all of a sudden want to move it, is it save to plug in a battery while the laptop is on?

    4.) I typically use laptop plugged in, but it is nice to be able to unplug if needed. If you do so without thinking.... opps I just unplugged a running laptop with no battery installed to keep it going.

    5.) Having 100% battery is nice to have, I agree, as many mention the concern is damaging those cells at the end from the repetitive use.

    6.) I can't remember if my BIOS has the option to limit the battery charging, it is cool if it does, but I sometimes hate when settings are in the BIOS because if you need to change something, it is nice to be able to do it in your OS. I understand though why in this case it wouldn't be necessarily possible due to it being hardware based.

    If anyone has any more information to share, please do so.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 14:30.
Find Us