Windows 11 Energy Saver: what it changes and when to use it

A laptop can be low on charge while an upload or call still matters. In Windows 11 version 24H2, Energy Saver can start when you choose, at a battery level you set, or while the PC is plugged in. Pick the trigger with the work you still need your PC to do in mind.

Microsoft began rolling out Windows 11 24H2 on 1 October 2024. The rollout is phased, so Energy Saver may not appear on your PC yet. This guide reflects the feature and controls Microsoft had documented by 20 October 2024. Microsoft’s rollout announcement describes Energy Saver as a way to reduce energy use even while plugged in.

What Energy Saver changes

Energy Saver replaces Battery Saver in Windows 11 24H2. You can switch it on from Quick Settings, choose a battery level for it to start automatically, or configure it to stay on when the PC is plugged in. Microsoft first described Energy Saver in a Windows Insider preview . It is now part of the 24H2 release and is available on desktop PCs too, where the goal is lower energy use rather than longer battery life.

Microsoft’s Energy Saver hardware guidance, last updated 24 June 2024 , lists several changes when the mode is active:

Windows Settings will not let you change the power mode while Energy Saver is on.
Screen brightness may be reduced. Microsoft’s guidance lists a 30% reduction, but device makers can configure the value and users can turn the brightness adjustment off.
Transparency effects on window backgrounds are disabled.

Some additional changes apply when a PC is unplugged and on low battery. Background apps may be blocked unless you allow them individually; some categories, including voice-over-IP apps, continue to run. OneNote, OneDrive and Phone Link may not sync. Windows still scans for updates, but it blocks downloads of non-critical updates while Energy Saver is active.

That low-battery condition matters. Microsoft describes those background restrictions for an unplugged PC on low charge, so do not assume that enabling Energy Saver while plugged in will pause the same work.

Turn it on now or set a trigger

First check that your PC is running Windows 11 version 24H2. If the update is not offered in Windows Update, wait for the phased rollout rather than assuming the feature is missing from a supported PC. Microsoft says update availability depends on device readiness and compatibility.

To switch Energy Saver on for the current situation, open Quick Settings from the taskbar and select Energy Saver. This is useful when you are about to unplug for a meeting or trip and want to choose the moment yourself.

For automatic activation, open Settings > System > Power & battery and expand Energy Saver. Choose the battery level at which you want the mode to start. A higher threshold starts it earlier; a lower one delays it. There is no universal percentage: set it based on how much charge you usually need for the rest of the day and which tasks need to finish first.

If you want Energy Saver to run while the PC is plugged in, enable that option in its settings. On a desktop this can reduce energy use, but it cannot extend battery life because the PC has no battery.

Check the tasks that matter to you

Suppose OneDrive is uploading a large folder when your laptop reaches its Energy Saver threshold. Because Microsoft says OneDrive may not sync on an unplugged PC with a low battery, check that the upload has finished before you rely on it. You can choose a different threshold, connect the charger, or allow the app individually if Windows offers that control for it.

Also check the display when the mode activates. If brightness drops more than you want, turn off the brightness adjustment in Energy Saver settings or disable the mode for that session. If the power-mode control is unavailable, turn Energy Saver off before changing that setting.

Energy Saver reduces power use; it does not restore a worn battery’s capacity. Microsoft describes its intended effect, but not one guaranteed number of extra minutes for every PC. If battery life remains unusually short, check battery health separately and compare usage under the same apps and brightness before blaming the power-saving mode.