Windows 11 tests energy saver mode for both laptops and desktop PCs

Windows 11 tests energy saver mode for both laptops and desktop PCs

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Microsoft is adding an energy saver mode for Windows 11 Insiders (Build 26002) that “extends and enhances” the existing battery saver option. The new mode doesn’t apply to just laptops like battery saver does — you can also use energy saver on a desktop computer if you want to conserve electricity, too.

Aside from availability on both desktop devices and laptops (even when they’re plugged in), energy saver works pretty much the same as battery saver mode. The new feature also helps save energy by “trading off some system performance,” so you might not want to use it if you’re gaming.

Image: Microsoft

You can enable energy saver from the Quick Settings menu, or you can configure it from the Settings menu by heading to System > Power > Energy saver. There, you can toggle on the feature or choose to run it automatically whenever your device reaches a certain battery percentage. Energy saver mode is rolling out now to Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary channel.

If you don’t have access to this build, you can still use the existing battery saver mode available to everyone with Windows 11. You can also optimize your power consumption with the system’s energy recommendations feature, which automatically adjusts certain settings, like screen brightness, to save power.