In an updated support document spotted by Windows Latest, Microsoft has quietly posted details of the new Energy Saver feature in Windows 11 24H2 and what makes it different from the Battery Saver. Unlike Battery Saver, Energy Saver can be turned on even when your PC is plugged in.
Battery saver has been around for years now. It’s also available in Windows 10 and it’s designed to save your battery when it’s close to 20%. By default, the battery saver is turned on automatically when your battery percentage falls below 20, and it helps reduce power consumption.
How does the Battery saver work, and what makes the new “Energy saver†in Windows 11 24H2 better? According to an updated support document that we spotted, the Battery saver can be turned on automatically or manually only when the device is not plugged in. On the other hand, the Energy saver feature can be turned on anytime.
Differences between Battery Saver and Energy Saver in Windows 11
Feature
Battery Saver
Energy Saver
Windows Version
Windows 10, Windows 11 24H1 and earlier
Windows 11 24H2 and later
Activation
Automatic below a certain percentage (default 20%) or manual
Manual via Quick Settings or automatic below a certain percentage; can be always on when plugged in
Power Mode Control
Users can change power mode
Users cannot change power mode when on
Display Brightness
Reduced by 30%, user-configurable
Reduced by 30%, user-configurable
OEM Display Brightness Control
Configurable via ESBRIGHTNESS SUB_ENERGYSAVER setting
Configurable via ESBRIGHTNESS SUB_ENERGYSAVER setting
Transparency Effects
Not affected
Disabled
App Syncing
Microsoft Store Mail, People, Calendar apps do not sync
On low battery, OneNote, OneDrive, Phone Link may not sync
Background Apps
Most blocked, except certain categories like VOIP
Most blocked, except certain categories like VOIP
Windows Updates
Non-critical updates blocked, scans still occur
Non-critical updates blocked, scans still occur
Telemetry
Most blocked, only critical uploaded
Most blocked, only critical uploaded
Task Scheduler
Tasks run only if:
Not idle-dependent
Not set for automatic maintenance
Set to run only when user is logged on
Tasks run only if:
Not idle-dependent
Not set for automatic maintenance
Set to run only when user is logged on
As shown in the above table curated by Windows Latest, both features block most background apps and sync for some Microsoft apps to save power.
In our tests, Windows Latest observed that Energy saver offers more control and can be turned on anytime, even when plugged in. It also reduces screen brightness by 30%, blocks most background apps, and disables transparency effects in windows.
While Energy Saver works even when the device is being charged, you cannot change the power mode in Windows Settings. If you want to change the power mode between Performance, Battery or Energy efficient, you’ll need to turn off the Energy Saver, or the options will be greyed out.
Energy Saver provides more options and is clearly better than the existing implementation of the Battery saver.
In addition to Energy Saver, Windows 11 24H2 brings the power profiles of the control panel to Windows Settings.
The post Microsoft details Windows 11 24H2’s new Energy saver, which replaces Battery saver appeared first on Windows Latest
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