Save energy in Windows 11 without sacrificing performance

¿How to reduce Windows 11's energy consumption without losing performance? Windows 11 has adjusted several default settings to reduce your computer's power consumption when you're not using it, without any noticeable drop in performance. If you want your PC to use less power, perform better, and be quieter, here's a complete guide with Proven settings and tricks to save energy without losing power.

In the following sections, you'll see how to customize the screen, sleep mode, power modes, and the new Energy Saver, as well as recommendations for monitoring CPU-intensive processes, reducing visual effects, optimizing apps, and performing basic hardware maintenance. The goal is for you to find the right balance between battery life and performance. clear instructions and menu paths in Spanish.

Configure display, sleep, and hibernation without sacrificing performance

Screen timeout and sleep timeouts make a difference when your computer is idle. You can access everything from Start › Settings › System › Power & battery; on some computers, you'll see paths like Start › Settings › System › Power › Screen, sleep, and hibernation timeouts. Here you'll adjust what happens both when the computer is on battery power and when it's plugged in, and thus... You'll cut costs when you step away from your PC without interrupting your workflow..

• Turn off the screen: reduces the time to save as much battery as possible; when plugged in you can allow a longer interval if you tend to check the screen frequently.
• Suspend the teamA moderate time avoids invisible consumption when you're not typing; in laptops, it's better to be more aggressive with battery power and more relaxed when plugged in.

If you're unsure which value to choose, remember that touching the screen or keyboard keeps your session going. It's not just about battery life: a good idle time setting is key. It also reduces thermal wear and fan noise.

In addition to allowing you to change these times, Microsoft has refined the default values ​​on modern devices. So, even without changing any settings, your PC already starts with a more efficient configuration for extended periods of inactivity. Below is a summary of these changes so you know what to expect on computers with modern standby mode and on computers with classic S3 sleep mode. Minutes adjusted to spend less without interrupting your rhythm.

New defaults on devices with modern standby mode

Display and suspension parameters	Before (min)	New (min)
On battery, turn off screen	4	3
Plugged in, turn off screen	10	5
In battery, suspend	4	3
Plugged in, suspend	10	5

New defaults on devices with S3 suspension

Display and suspension parameters	Before (min)	New (min)
On battery, turn off screen	5	3
Plugged in, turn off screen	10	5
In battery, suspend	15	10
Plugged in, suspend	30	15

If you want to change any of these intervals, go to System › Power and battery and customize each power state (see prevent Windows 11 from automatically going to sleepKnowing what the team does when you're away for a few minutes helps you to Avoid unnecessary consumption that does not contribute to performance.

Power modes and how to choose the right balance

Windows 11 lets you select a power mode that prioritizes battery, balance, or performance. You'll find it in Start › Settings › System › Power & battery, under Power mode. Which one is right for you? If you're working plugged in at your desktop, Balanced is a good starting point; if you're running on battery, Energy efficiency reduces background processes; for occasional heavy loads, Performance ramps up performance. With these options You adapt the system's character without having to touch advanced settings.

• Better energy efficiency: more autonomy, less background activity.
• Balanced: reasonable balance between speed and consumption.
• Better performance: maximum response by sacrificing energy.

In Windows 10, there's a quick way to control power: click the battery icon in the taskbar and move the power slider to the desired mode. Availability depends on the hardware and the installed version, but the idea is the same: adjusting the balance between performance and savings on the fly.

Don't forget the new Energy Saver, available even on desktop computers. When activated, Windows reduces screen brightness (see how). Adjust brightness and contrastand limits background tasks to extend battery life. You can activate it manually or schedule it to take effect when the battery level drops below a specific threshold in Settings › System › Power & battery. This ensures that when you need to squeeze out a few extra minutes, the system Reduce consumption without sacrificing foreground performance.

Check CPU usage and stop processes that are slowing down the system

Before blindly changing power plans, it's wise to take a look. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete) and go to Performance > CPU. Look at Processes and their Usage percentage. If you see the CPU consistently near 100% even with nothing resource-intensive open, something is wrong and you should take action. This check will allow you to detect bottlenecks and cut out what doesn't contribute.

In the Details tab, right-click on a task and select End process tree to completely close a problematic app. Note: Do this judiciously, especially if you're unsure which process it is. By cleaning up unnecessary processes, the CPU usage should decrease and your computer should respond better; you'll notice this in that... The windows open faster and the mouse doesn't lag..

Another common culprit is apps that start automatically. In Task Manager > Startup apps, disable anything you don't need, especially those listed as having a high impact. This will speed up startup and reduce background resource consumption, resulting in a lighter system boot time. Don't let your battery drain without you noticing.

You can also deny background activity to specific apps: Settings › Apps, app list, advanced options for each app, and set background activity permissions to Never. Apply this measure to tools that don't require constant monitoring. Uninstalling programs you don't use also frees up space and prevents unnecessary tasks from running in the background. Sometimes replacing a resource-intensive app with a lighter one (for example, an alternative browser) helps. Reduce sustained power consumption without touching hardware.

If you've read that you need external utilities to manage processes, don't worry. In most cases, you can adjust everything important right from Windows. For example, when browsers activate an efficiency mode, their goal is to limit their impact if the battery is low or if they're running in the background; you don't need to download third-party tools just for that. The system's built-in options and manual process management are more than enough. Avoid waste without relying on third-party programs.

Advanced power plans: Balanced, High performance, and hidden mode

Beyond Power Mode, the traditional power plans are still available. Open Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound › Power Options to choose between Balanced and High Performance. The latter increases responsiveness at the cost of higher power consumption; use it when you're editing video, compiling files, or gaming. There's even a Maximum Performance plan designed to push powerful systems to their limits, which is enabled with an advanced command, but only use it if you really need to, as It prioritizes speed above all else and penalizes autonomy..

The real value comes from combining plan selection with fine-tuning screen and sleep settings. It's not black and white: you can use Balanced and be strict about inactivity, or activate High Performance just for a specific session. The key is for the system to focus on what you're doing in that moment, not on invisible tasks that... They don't contribute to the work you have in front of you..

Reduce visual effects and cut background noise

Windows looks better with animations, transparencies, and shadows, but it all adds up. If you notice your computer is sluggish or you simply want to gain some extra performance in games, disable these effects. Go to System and Security › System › Advanced system settings › Performance › Visual effects and select Adjust for best performance. You'll see fewer flourishes, but you'll gain immediacy, because The processor and graphics card no longer spend money on aesthetics..

You can also adjust animations and transparencies in Accessibility for more granular control and prevent Windows from changing the monitor refresh rateTake this opportunity to clean up your desktop (too many icons slow down initial loading) and use a static background without carousels or animated backgrounds if you want to speed things up. In the taskbar, disable widgets, standalone search, or chat if you don't use them: every little bit helps make the system more responsive. Don't invest time in things you don't consult..

One last point: disabling unnecessary notifications reduces interruptions and minor background costs. Go to System › Notifications and uncheck anything you don't need. These small details, when added together, make your computer respond more smoothly and efficiently. Don't let your battery drain with alerts you're not interested in..

Cleaning, maintenance and stability of the equipment

Keeping Windows and drivers up to date is essential. Go to Windows Update To apply updates, check the Optional Updates section, where drivers are often listed. This prevents power consumption errors and conflicts, and sometimes improves efficiency. Additionally, running a reliable anti-malware program keeps threats that sneak in the background at bay, preventing malicious processes from taking over. It consumes CPU and network resources behind your back.

Free up space with System › Storage › Cleanup Recommendations. There you can remove temporary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and organize large folders. A less cluttered disk helps everything run more smoothly and reduces unnecessary reads and writes. If you also run the Power Troubleshooter, you can detect settings you didn't see at first glance and apply automatic fixes. They regain stability and autonomy.

Don't neglect your hardware: check internal connections, remove unused USB devices, clean the inside, and replace the thermal paste when necessary. A dusty or poorly cooled computer will run hotter and reduce sustained performance, leading to spikes in power consumption. Regular maintenance ensures your system performs better while using less energy. the lifespan of the components is extended.

Improved performance in demanding games and apps

Activate Game Mode in Settings > Gaming > Game Mode. This profile reduces background activity and prevents Windows Update from interrupting with installations while you play, helping to maintain stable frame rates. For specific apps, go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics and select High performance for the app you want to speed up. This forces the use of the most powerful GPU and can improve the experience, although In laptops, battery life will be somewhat affected..

If you prefer a task-based approach, you can combine this with disabling visual effects only during gaming or editing sessions. It's a clean way to gain FPS and smoothness without making any permanent changes or using third-party software. In general, if you let Windows focus on the foreground app and remove extra overhead from the surrounding environment, You'll gain muscle where you need it without waste..

Energy saving: what it does and when to use it

Energy Saver temporarily turns off resource-intensive syncs and lowers screen brightness to extend battery life. When enabled, it limits background downloads, reduces activity from apps you're not using, and pauses non-critical updates. You can turn it on from Settings > System > Battery & power or from the battery icon in the notification area. This feature is the easiest way to stretching the range when you're running low.

If you want to automate it, set a percentage at which it kicks in: for example, 30%. This way, when you drop below that threshold, the power-saving measures will be applied automatically. Although it's now also available on desktop PCs, its value truly shines on laptops. As a reminder, when it's active, things like email and calendar syncing, live tiles, and paused apps are reduced, so It cuts consumption without stopping what you do in the foreground.

Privacy, telemetry, and background services

There are Windows options designed to improve your user experience that run continuously. If you don't need them, disable them to gain some performance. In Settings › Privacy and security, review sections such as General, Speech, Inking and typing customization, and Diagnostics and feedback; turn off anything unnecessary. This simple review reduces data transmissions, suggested content, and minor tracking that, when added together, They reduce CPU usage and prevent unnecessary traffic.

This fine-tuning works very well with background app control and startup cleanup. It's not a radical improvement on its own, but it contributes to a lighter and more predictable system. As recommended by specialized teams with years of hardware and software analysis, the sum of small, consistent tweaks is what makes the difference. It makes a difference in stability and efficiency..

What about third-party tools? When to use them and when not to.

There are utilities that promise to optimize Windows. If you decide to try one, prioritize open-source projects and carefully review what changes they make. A tool like Optimizer, available in a public repository, allows you to disable services, telemetry, and native apps with clear toggles. Use it with caution and only if you understand each setting, as some features may be useful to you. In any case, you don't need anything external for the essentials: Task Manager, power plans, and system settings are sufficient. You have enough control to save without losing power..

If, after applying all of the above, your PC is still sluggish due to loaded software or accumulated changes, consider resetting Windows. Returning to factory settings will give you a clean system. However, be sure to back up your data first and only reinstall what you actually use. This decision is your safety net for regaining sustained performance and Eliminate fat that has been lost for months or years in just a few steps.

With these practices, you'll have a Windows 11 tailored to your workflow: properly calibrated screen and sleep modes, customized power settings, intelligent power saving when needed, controlled processes, and less visual clutter. The combination of small but consistent changes makes your computer consume less power without sacrificing speed, and also makes your PC use more sustainable. kind to the battery and your electricity bill.