Configuring Recommended Windows Power Settings

This article explains necessary steps to configure power settings in Windows to support optimal performance and machine usage.

Problem

Depending on the needs of your center, you might want to modify or otherwise configure Windows power settings to promote optimal performance, keep displays turned on, or otherwise keep your center running efficiently.

Solution

  1. Click the Start Menu.

     

  2. From the Start Menu, start typing "power settings", then click the "Power & sleep settings" menu item.

     

  3. From the "Power & sleep" settings menu, configure the "When plugged in, turn off after" setting per your needs.

     

  4. From the "Power & sleep" settings menu, click the "Additional power settings" link.

     

  5. From the "Power Options" window, choose a power plan (in the case of this example, we utilize the "High performance" plan to ensure the best customer experience.

     

  6. From the "Power Options" window, click the "Change plan settings" link next to the power plan of your choosing to further modify settings.

     

  7. From the "Edit Plan Settings" window, configure the "Turn off the display:" setting per your needs.

     

  8. From the "Edit Plan Settings" window, click the "Change advanced power settings" link to further modify settings.

     

  9. From the "Power Options" dialog, configure settings as desired.

     

    Recommended settings to modify are:

    • Hard disk

      • Turn off hard disk after

        • Setting (Minutes): Never

    • USB Settings

      • USB selective suspend setting

        • Setting: Disabled

    • PCI Express

      • Link State Power Management

        • Setting: Off

    • Processor power management

      • System cooling policy

        • Setting: Active

    • Display

      • Turn off display after

        • Setting: Your Preference

    • Multimedia settings

      • When sharing media

        • Prevent idling to sleep

      • Video playback quality bias

        • Video playback performance bias

      • When playing video

        • Optimize video quality

     

  10. From the "Power Options" dialog, click the "OK" button.

     

  11. From the "Edit Plan Settings" window, click the "Save changes" button.

     

  12. Close the "Power Options" window.

     

  13. Close the "Settings" window.

     

  14. Shut Down the Machine. In this case, we utilize the "Shut down" Power command within the ggLeap Web Admin, however you may utilize the power button or the ggRock "Turn Off" command as well.

     

  15. Apply Writebacks.

    (See Applying Writebacks for more information).

    Enter a comment when prompted (typically initials of the administrator, the date, and the contents (e.g. games, applications updated).

     

    Example:

    ABC - 07-14-2021 - Updated Fortnite, COD:MW (launched to install shaders), and Google Chrome

     

     

Additional Information

Depending on the needs of your center, it may be desirable to have displays turn off after a period of time. This can prevent screen burn-in, as well as reduce the number of hours your displays are powered on to prolong their life.

Ensuring power settings are configured with a bias towards performance will result in the best customer experience. Depending on your needs, however, you may want to prioritize power consumption over video quality if your center's power demands are too high.