Windows 11 brings Power button controls to Settings app

You will no longer have to open Control Panel to change the action of power button on Windows 11.

Windows 11 Power button controls
Windows 11 Power button controls
  • Microsoft ports Power button controls from the Control Panel to the Settings app on Windows 11.
  • The new settings will allow users to change the action of the Power button from the Settings app.

On Windows 11, you will soon be able to change the action of the power button on your computer from the Settings app. As part of the improvements available through the Canary Channel, Microsoft recently added new options on the Settings app that allows users to choose the action when pressing the physical power button on their devices.

The ability to change the action of the physical power button has been available for a long time, but it was a setting available through the Control Panel. However, the company is now working to bring it to the Settings app.

To change the power button action, you will now have to open Settings > System > Power (Power & battery) and click on “Power button controls” to reveal the settings.

As part of the settings, you will be able to configure what happens when you interact with your device’s physical controls, depending on whether the device is plugged in or on battery. The options available include:

  • Do Nothing.
  • Sleep.
  • Shutdown.
  • Display Off.

The hibernation option will only be available on supported devices with the feature already turned on.

Windows 11 new Power button controls
Windows 11 new Power button controls

The new settings are available in the latest preview of Windows 11 (build 26002) and higher releases, but it’s unclear when the company will roll out the controls to everyone.

In the meantime, you can open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > System Settings to change the action of the power button.

About the author

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].