How to disable Modern Standby (S0) on Windows

Yes, you can turn on the Modern Standby sleep state for troubleshooting problems or any other reason, and here's how.

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Windows 11 Modern Standby disabled
Windows 11 Modern Standby disabled / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • To disable Modern Standby on Windows 11 (or 10), open Command Prompt (admin), and run the reg add HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power /v PlatformAoAcOverride /t REG_DWORD /d 0 command.
  • It’s also possible to complete this configuration through the Registry Editor available on Windows.

On Windows 11 (and 10), Modern Standby (S0) is an energy-saving mode that improves battery life and wake-up times on devices. If you must disable it, this guide will show you the steps to complete this configuration.

Modern Standby (S0) has been designed to mimic the behavior of smartphones, where the device can quickly resume from sleep while maintaining connectivity for updates, notifications, and other background tasks. Also, it replaces the legacy Sleep Standby (S3) sleep state for compatible systems.

Although the newer S0 mode is the recommended option, some users may still prefer the legacy S3 mode for various reasons, including problems with heating and battery performance.

If you must turn off the Modern Standby sleep state on your computer, even though you won’t find a dedicated setting, Windows allows you to complete this configuration through the Registry or Command Prompt.

In this guide, I will outline the steps to disable Modern Standby on Windows 11 as well as Windows 10.

Warning: Before proceeding, it’s crucial to acknowledge the risks associated with modifying the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes can lead to system instability or operational issues. Therefore, ensure you have a full system backup before making any changes. Proceed with caution and understanding.

Disable Modern Standby on Windows 11 (or 10) from Command Prompt

To disable Modern Standby (S0) with Command Prompt on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.

  3. (Optional) Type the following command to check the sleep states on your computer and press Enter:

    powercfg /a

    Command Prompt check sleep state

  4. Confirm the “Standby (S0 Lower Power Idle) Network Connected/Disconnected” message to know that Modern Standby is enabled.

  5. Type the following command to disable Modern Standby and press Enter:

    reg add HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power /v PlatformAoAcOverride /t REG_DWORD /d 0

    Command Prompt disable modern standby

  6. Restart the computer to apply the changes.

Once you complete the steps, the sleep state S0 will be disabled on Windows 11.

If you change your mind, you can re-enable Modern Standby with the same institutions, but on step 6, run the reg delete "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power" /v PlatformAoAcOverride /f command and restart the computer. You can run the powercfg /a command to confirm the feature has been enabled.

Disable Modern Standby on Windows 11 (or 10) from Registry

To disable Modern Standby (S0) through the Registry, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.

  3. Browse to the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power

  4. Right-click the Power key, select New, and click the “DWORD (32-bit) Value” option.

    Registry create PlatformAoAcOverride key

  5. Confirm the PlatformAoAcOverride name for the DWORD and press Enter.

  6. Right-click the newly created DWORD and choose the Modify option.

  7. Confirm and set the value to 0.

    Registry disable modern standby

  8. Click the OK button.

  9. Restart the computer to apply the changes.

After you complete the steps, the system will stop using the Modern Standby feature.

If you no longer need the configuration, you can undo the changes with the same instructions, but on step 4, right-click the “PlatformAoAcOverride” DWORD and choose the “Delete” option.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].