How to Adjust Screen and Sleep Settings on Windows 11
Windows
Windows 11 offers flexible power management options to help you conserve battery life or optimize performance. Two key settings under the Power & Battery section are the time for the screen to turn off and the time for the device to go to sleep. These can be configured separately for when your device is on battery power or plugged in. Here’s how to adjust these settings:
Step-by-Step Guide to Adjust Screen and Sleep Settings:
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- Open the Settings App
- Click on the Start button or press the Windows key.
- Select Settings (gear icon) from the Start menu.
- Navigate to Power & Battery
- In the Settings app, click on System from the left-hand menu.
- Scroll down and select Power & Battery from the options on the right.
- Open the Settings App
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- Locate the Screen and Sleep Settings
- Under the Power section, you will find the Screen and sleep settings.
- Adjust Screen Off Timers
- For On battery power, turn off my screen after, click the dropdown menu and select the desired time (e.g., 3 minutes, 5 minutes, etc.).
- For When plugged in, turn off my screen after, choose the preferred duration for inactivity.
- Locate the Screen and Sleep Settings
- Set Sleep Timers
- For On battery power, put my device to sleep after, select the time you want the device to automatically go to sleep.
- For When plugged in, put my device to sleep after, choose the appropriate time setting.
- Save Your Settings
- Changes are saved automatically, so you can close the Settings app after making your adjustments.
Example Settings for Energy Efficiency
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- On battery power:
- Turn off the screen after 3 minutes.
- Put the device to sleep after 10 minutes.
- On battery power:
- When plugged in:
- Turn off the screen after 5 minutes.
- Put the device to sleep after 15 minutes.
These settings strike a balance between conserving energy and maintaining usability, especially for laptops.
Tips for Choosing Your Settings:
- Shorter durations for screen off and sleep are ideal for maximizing battery life.
- Longer durations may be preferred for desktop PCs or when prioritizing convenience over energy savings.
- For specific use cases, like presentations or extended tasks, temporarily disabling sleep may be helpful.
By customizing these settings, you can optimize your Windows 11 experience to suit your lifestyle and device usage. If you’re unsure what settings work best for you, experiment with different durations and monitor the impact on your workflow and battery life.