Windows 10: Modern Standby - Understanding the new Behavior

I recently purchased a new HP Envy X360 15 inch 2020 with the 11th gen Intel CPU and have been having all kinds of trouble dealing with the Modern Standby functionality. I have been using laptops for years and I have always been able to click sleep from the start menu and the laptop would power down. I could then put it in a backpack or leave it sitting on a soft surface until I needed it again. The new HP has the Modern Standby feature and after telling the computer to sleep, the computer remains active. I noticed this after I told the computer to sleep, set it down on a soft surface and all of a sudden, I heard the fans ramp up to max because the computer was overheating. I had another overheating issue when I told the computer to go to sleep and put it into a backpack.


This is not a criticism of Microsoft and Modern Standby nor is this asking how to disable it. A simple search turns up tons of those discussions. I want to understand how Modern Standby works with a few typical use cases so I can best deal with it. I don't see this feature going away any time soon and eventually my corporate laptop is going to be replaced with a device with this functionality and I will be forced to deal with it.


Below are a few scenarios, any guidance on what to do with the computer is much appreciated


Scenario 1

I am in a meeting with the laptop on battery power, the meeting ends and I need to put the laptop into a carrying bag/backpack to go to my next meeting.


Scenario 2

I am sitting at home with the computer on battery power and I am done using my computer for a while and set it on a soft surface that could block the cooling vents. I may want to use the computer again in a while.


Scenario 3

I am sitting at home with the computer on *AC* power and I am done using my computer for a while and set it on a soft surface that could block the cooling vents. I may want to use the computer again in a while.

Not exactly sure if power source makes a difference.


Scenario 4

I have my computer on AC power and it is sitting on a hard surface that won't block the vents. I am done using the computer for the day but will need to use it again tomorrow.


In all of the above scenarios I would previously have put the computer to sleep to reduce power useage and allow me to pick up where I left off.

:)

 

Is there any OS function that let us check system is going to enter modern standby?

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



Windows 10 Modern Standby (Modern Standby) expands the Windows 8.1 Connected Standby power model. Connected Standby, and consequently Modern Standby, enable an instant on / instant off user experience, similar to smartphone power models. Just like
the phone, the S0 low power idle model enables the system to stay up-to-date whenever a suitable network is available.



We would suggest you to refer these articles for additional information:

What is Modern Standby?

Prepare software for modern standby

Modern standby SleepStudy



However, as you are into software development. Let me point you in the right direction, where you would get the appropriate help for this issue. I would suggest you to post your query in
MSDN forums, where we have experts and support professionals
who are well equipped with the knowledge on Modern Standby to assist you with the appropriate troubleshooting steps.



Regards,



Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Nvidia dGPU blocks modern standby on laptop

@gorgor, I finally had some time (and spare NVMe) to reinstall Windows 10 2004 on my XPS 9570. I installed Dell Command | Update application after installing Windows and used the option to reinstall all the drivers. After that I ran a regular check for updates in Dell Command | Update and it had about 6 more updates to install, at which point I did that.

In the mean time I found this article from Dell ( https://www.dell.com/support/article...havior?lang=en ) that outlines some settings to change and drivers to install in specific orders to improve the sleep. I did not install their Modern Standby Performance Improvement Package Application as they suggest since they say it only automates some of the instructions they give.

After all that, the first overnight sleep only used 7% battery with SW and HW in low power state 100% of the time!





One thing to note, the dell site says to change to Disconnected Standby but doesn't tell you how. Here are the commands I ran for that (taken from Enable or Disable Network Connectivity in Standby In Windows 10 ):

Disable while in standby on battery: powercfg /setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_none F15576E8-98B7-4186-B944-EAFA664402D9 0

Disable while in standby plugged in: powercfg /setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_none F15576E8-98B7-4186-B944-EAFA664402D9 0

I have not tried performing these steps on my previous install. I did a full re-install because Microsoft specifically states that you cannot switch from S0 to S3 sleep without reinstalling the OS. I figured you probably couldn't go the other way around either.

I'd be curious if the steps outlined on the Dell page solves your issues. I don't have my hopes too far up as I feel like I've had similar results before but it eventually stopped sleeping so well and I had no idea why.

 

Can't enable Modern Standby

You need an exclusively UEFI PC (without Legacy support) for Modern/Connected, at least it's what I've heard. I guess if that Z390 doesn't have it, I am not really expecting any consumer desktops to implement it, I assume it would require manufacturers to kinda rewrite their BIOS. It is also indirectly suggested on Anandtech that the feature depends on the onboard WiFi:

Personally I love my Ethernet cables and 1Gbit speeds, and WiFi would be the last thing I'd do to my PC, but I would like to test this feature when I buy a new PC, since Z370 is clearly out of question. Considering that Z390 basically has onboard WiFi and Z370 doesn't , it further solidifies this as a potential WiFi only feature. Maybe it's possible for the PC to switch to WiFi for Connected Standby and then back to wire after it wakes up? That would be nice.

Edit: there's also this:
"Modern Standby is only available on some SoC systems. When it's supported, the system does not support S1-S3."

Yeah... S3 is the "normal" standby. So if your firmware manufacturer supports that, it's bye-bye Modern? Ouch.