Windows 10: Windows 11 will soon throttle your PC automatically when idle, to save power

Microsoft is testing a feature in Windows 11 Insider builds that could help your laptop's battery last longer. Windows will automatically throttle your computer if it is idle.

The feature, which was first spotted by Windows Latest, was described in a recent blog post on the Windows Insider blog.

Microsoft terms it User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management, it is an OS-level enhancement that helps reduce power consumption. When Windows detects that your PC is idle, i.e., there is no keyboard or mouse or touch-input activity, the operating system will conserve power by automatically applying efficient power management policies. In layman's terms, it may be activated like how a screensaver kicks in. The amount of power saved will depend on various factors such as the power mode, battery state (plugged in or on battery), and the manufacturer-defined Processor Power Management (PPM) settings

Windows already has Power Saving features, but the upcoming change will reportedly be different. The report says that Windows will lower the clock speeds or voltages to drop to a lower performance state, and activate a sleep-like mode similar to a C-State. Windows will probably detect when you are gaming or when a video is playing, for example, in full-screen, while you watch a movie or video, and prevent the User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management settings from being applied in such scenarios.

Microsoft's article says that the feature will not affect the performance of apps and games, as Windows 11 will restore, i.e. stop throttling the CPU, when it detects input from the user, via the keyboard or mouse, or touch. While it sounds useful, it remains to be seen how it actually works, and whether users will be able to disable the feature or make changes to it according to their needs.

Windows Latest says that since Microsoft is testing the new power-saving feature in Windows 11 Build 26200.5603, it is expected to come to Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2.

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Windows is power throttling for no reason.

Hi Damon_203,

It is normal to have lower CPU Core Frequency when your computer is idle
for it is not working as hard as when it is active. This can help your computer save energy since less resources are used during this period. If you do not wish Windows to throttle your CPU when idle, you can either set your
Power Options to Performance or change the
minimum processor state from the default 5% to your desired setting in
Advance power settings. To do this, please follow the steps below:

1. Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously.
2. Type-in powercfg.cpl and press Enter.
3. From here you choose your desired power plan.
4. You can change power plan's settings by clicking Change plan settings.
5. Click on Change advanced power settings.
6. Look for Processor power management and click on the plus sign (+) to expand the list.
7. You can set the Minimum and Maximum processor states to
   100%.
8. Click OK.

If you have additional questions, please let me know by replying to this thread. This way, I'll get notified and respond back to you as soon as I can.

 

In Windows 11 power-saving mode, clicking the Windows Focus prompt on the lock screen will cause a system crash.

Problem description: As the title suggests.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Enter Windows 11 power-saving mode.
   
2. Click the Windows Focus prompt on the lock screen.
   

Expected result: The login screen should appear and after logging in, the browser should automatically open to view content.

Actual result: The system crashes.

Device information:

• Windows 11 version: 22H2 (22621.1413)
  
• Device: Lenovo Xiaoxin 14 Pro 2021
  
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
  

Other information:

• When plugged in, the system automatically turns off power-saving mode and cannot be turned on manually. The function works normally.
  
• When unplugged, turn off power-saving mode and the function works normally.
  
• When unplugged, turn on power-saving mode and the system crashes.
  

 

Bluetooth still on while idle

Thanks for following the steps. Now, the settings won't take effect if you are only using normal PC idle mode. Normal functionality of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings are to stay connected even if PC is idle. With the settings that you have created, we would
suggest that you set your PC to automatically go to Sleep or
Hibernate once idle. In this way, the settings "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" should take effect.

To set your PC to automatically go to Sleep or Hibernate when idle, please follow these steps:

• Open Control Panel, set view by: Small
  icons.
• Look for Power Options.
• Click on Change when the computer sleeps on the left pane.
• Set a timer.

Please try it out. Hope it helps. If you have any other concerns, don't hesitate to come back to us.