Active Power Plan –
In Windows operating systems, a power plan is a collection of hardware and system settings that manages how your computer uses power. The active power plan is the one that is currently selected and being enforced by the system. It directly controls how your PC balances performance with energy consumption.
Key Features of an Active Power Plan:-
- Processor Performance:
- Controls how aggressively the CPU runs based on workload.
- High-performance plans keep the CPU running at higher speeds, while power-saving plans reduce CPU speed when full power isn’t needed.
- Display Brightness:
- Adjusts screen brightness based on whether the device is plugged in or running on battery.
- Sleep and Hibernate Settings:
- Determines how long the computer waits before sleeping or hibernating due to inactivity.
- Hard Disk Settings:
- Controls when the hard disk turns off to save energy.
- Wireless Adapter Settings:
- Manages power-saving modes for Wi-Fi to preserve battery life.
Common Default Power Plans in Windows:
- Balanced:
Offers full performance when needed and conserves power during idle times. (Default on most systems) - Power Saver:
Reduces system performance to save energy, ideal for extending battery life on laptops. - High Performance:
Prioritizes performance over energy saving; keeps components running at full capacity.
Accessing and Changing the Active Power Plan:-
- Go to Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
- Or simply type “Power Options” in the Windows search bar.
- Select the desired plan to make it active.