- Microsoft is building a new energy-saving mode for Windows 11.
- The option will replace the Battery Saver mode from the Power settings.
- The Energy Saver mode will be available for both laptops and desktop computers.
On Windows 11, you will be able to turn on the “Energy Saver” feature on your laptop or desktop computer. Starting on build 26002, Microsoft is introducing a new power-saving mode that replaces the existing “Battery Saver” mode that not only helps extend the battery life of a device but also works to reduce the energy usage on computers without a battery.
Technically, the “Energy Saver” mode is based on the “Battery Saver” mode (and the “Power mode” feature), so it works in the same way by extending the battery life and reducing energy usage by trading off some system performance.
To enable the new energy-saving mode, you have to open Settings > Power (Power & battery), click on the “Energy Saver” setting, and then you have to configure the feature.
For example, on a laptop or a desktop computer with a battery backup, you can turn on the “Always use energy saver” toggle switch. Or you can use the available setting to decide when the energy saver mode should turn on automatically when the battery level drops at a specific percentage. You can always choose the “Never” or “Always” option.
On a computer without a battery, you can turn on the “Always use energy saver” toggle switch to enable the feature and start conserving electricity. However, since a battery isn’t present, the option to turn on the feature automatically won’t be available.
The option to turn the feature on or off is always available through the Quick Settings flyout in the Taskbar.
The new feature is meant to save energy at the expense of performance, meaning that it’s recommended for those who want to conserve electricity or use their computers for everyday computing. The feature is not meant for users working on demanding tasks or gaming, as reducing the power usage will also reduce the system performance.
The “Energy Saver” mode is available now as a preview in the latest build of Windows 11 in the Canary Channel, but it’s unclear when it will roll out to everyone.
In the meantime, you can always use the “Battery Saver” mode to reduce energy usage and extend the battery life of your laptop, and on a desktop computer, you can change power mode to “Best Power Efficiency” to reduce energy usage by trading off some system performance. Other energy-saving tips include changing the screen timeout, setting the computer to sleep after a certain time of inactivity, adjusting the display brightness, switching the dark color system mode, using hibernation, and many others.
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 14 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 20 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].