That is one person's observation on one laptop. The author gives no runtime figures, frame rates, temperatures, noise readings or test method. He also says he won't claim a specific battery gain without controlled testing. The useful part of the story is the reasoning behind the switch, so this article covers that reasoning and the practical steps.
Two controls, two sets of labels
Windows 11 and the older power plan system overlap, and the names differ.
- Power mode is the Windows 11 Settings control. Microsoft's support page lists Best power efficiency (saves battery life), Balanced (balances performance and battery) and Best performance (maximizes performance), each selectable for Plugged in or On battery.
- Power plans are the older Control Panel scheme. Microsoft's developer documentation describes power plans as groups of specific hardware and system settings. The Win32 documentation says the plans are Power Saver, Balanced and High Performance. It defines Balanced as automatically balancing performance and power consumption according to demand. It defines High Performance as delivering maximum performance at the expense of higher power consumption.
The two are linked. One community walkthrough says Power mode is only available when you are using the Balanced power plan on a PC with a battery. Microsoft's own note says if you can't change the power mode, a custom power plan might be selected. In that case, Microsoft says to open Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options and select Balanced.
What Microsoft says about the trade-off
Microsoft's performance-tips guidance is direct about the cost. Best performance can help the CPU run at higher performance when needed, but it increases power consumption. On laptops, it drains the battery faster and may make the device run warmer. Microsoft says to use it only when you need maximum performance and power availability isn't a limitation.
That matches the MakeUseOf argument. Balanced isn't a speed cap. It is a policy that scales with demand. Other coverage agrees. XDA-Developers argues that the bulk of what a plan changes is CPU behavior. It says Balanced is more than enough for most users, including gamers running heavy AAA games. That is one outlet's view, not a guarantee for every system.
The Windows 11 default is Balanced. Pocket-lint notes that hardware makers can configure their PCs to default to whichever power profile they see fit. One of its examples is a Surface Pro that shipped set to Best Power Efficiency.
What Balanced can't promise
The MakeUseOf piece is careful about limits, and they are worth repeating:
- Balanced does not guarantee quiet fans or fix overheating.
- The laptop manufacturer sets power and current limits, so thermal behavior depends on the machine's design.
- Windows power settings don't improve a cooling system and don't remove throttling.
- Screen brightness, graphics preferences and background apps can swing battery life widely. If you change several settings at once, you can't credit the power plan.
So the fair reading is that Balanced is a sensible everyday default. It is not a proven battery or thermal fix for every laptop.
The OEM layer: Windows vs. Omen Gaming Hub
Many laptops carry a second set of performance controls from the manufacturer. On the author's HP, that is Omen Gaming Hub. It has its own profiles, such as Balanced and Performance, separate from Windows power mode and power plans. HP's support documentation, as summarized in the research notes, says these are model-dependent. Balanced maintains performance while balancing temperatures and fan speed. Performance dynamically allocates more power between the CPU and GPU for gaming. Some models also have an Eco mode aimed at lower fan noise and power use. Its restrictions vary by model, so don't assume they apply to yours.
This matters if you test the change yourself. A change in fan noise or frame rate could come from the OEM profile and not from Windows. To isolate the Windows setting, leave the OEM profile alone.
How to change power mode in Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
- Under Power mode, choose a mode for Plugged in and/or On battery.
- If the dropdown is missing or locked, a custom plan may be active. Open Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options and select Balanced.
- Check your OEM utility, such as Omen Gaming Hub, and note which profile is active.
Availability depends on the device. Microsoft says that on Windows 10 the setting isn't available on all PCs. It needs version 1709 (the Fall Creators Update) or later, and it depends on the hardware and manufacturer. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, according to Microsoft's pages.
Modern Standby devices also have a limit. Microsoft's documentation says they allow only the Balanced plan, or plans derived from it. On those machines, the old High Performance plan may not appear.
A simple way to test it yourself
This is a suggested method, not one verified by the sources above.
- Pick a repeatable task, such as a fixed video loop, a specific export or a game benchmark pass.
- Keep brightness, the OEM profile and the plugged-in or battery state identical between runs.
- Change only the Windows power mode between runs.
- Record elapsed battery percentage or task completion time.
- Repeat at least twice to catch noise.
If Balanced finishes the job at essentially the same time, you have your own evidence. That is better than anyone else's impression, including this article's.
Bottom line
Microsoft's guidance and the MakeUseOf author's experience point the same way. Use Balanced day to day. Switch to Best performance when a heavy plugged-in job, such as gaming or video editing, justifies the extra heat and power draw. Then switch back. How much you gain depends on your laptop, your workload and any OEM settings. Don't assume a particular percentage.
Correction (October 23, 2026): The article originally said the Windows 10 power slider needs version 1703 or later. Microsoft introduced the slider with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, so it needs version 1709 or later.