Does your laptop or PC sometimes feel slower than it should be, even though you know it has powerful hardware? That might be because of CPU throttling. Windows 11, like earlier versions, sometimes limits your processor’s speed to reduce heat or save power. While this helps extend battery life and prevent overheating, it can also hold back performance when you need maximum power.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn what CPU throttling is, why it happens, and most importantly, how to disable CPU throttling in Windows 11 for faster performance.
What Is CPU Throttling in Windows 11?
CPU throttling (also called dynamic frequency scaling) is when your processor automatically lowers its speed to:
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Save battery life on laptops.
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Prevent overheating under heavy loads.
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Conserve power when full performance isn’t needed.
While this is useful for everyday browsing, it can cause lag in demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running virtual machines.
Why Does Windows 11 Throttle CPU Performance?
Windows 11 may throttle your CPU because of:
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Power-saving settings (especially on laptops).
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High temperatures that could damage hardware.
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BIOS/UEFI settings that prioritize efficiency over speed.
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Driver or firmware updates enforcing performance limits.
Should You Disable CPU Throttling?
✅ Best for:
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Gamers who want maximum FPS.
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Content creators (video editors, 3D modelers, coders).
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Users with powerful cooling systems (laptops with cooling pads, desktops with liquid cooling).
⚠️ Not recommended for:
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Older laptops with weak cooling.
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Users prioritizing battery life.
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Systems prone to overheating.
Step 1: Change Windows Power Plan
The easiest way to stop CPU throttling is by adjusting your power plan.
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Navigate to System → Power & battery.
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Under Power mode, select Best performance.
👉 This ensures Windows uses maximum CPU performance instead of conserving energy.
Step 2: Disable CPU Throttling via Advanced Power Settings
For more control:
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Open the Start menu → Search Control Panel → Open.
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Go to Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
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Click Change plan settings next to your active plan.
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Select Change advanced power settings.
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Expand Processor power management → System cooling policy.
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Set both On battery and Plugged in to Active.
This ensures the CPU relies on active cooling (fans) instead of throttling.
Step 3: Set Maximum Processor State to 100%
Still in Advanced Power Settings:
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Expand Processor power management.
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Click Maximum processor state.
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Set both On battery and Plugged in to 100%.
👉 By default, Windows sometimes limits the CPU to 80–90% when on battery. Setting it to 100% prevents performance drops.
Step 4: Adjust Thermal Management Settings in BIOS/UEFI
For deeper control, you may need to tweak BIOS/UEFI.
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Restart your PC.
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Press the required key (usually F2, F10, DEL, or ESC) to enter BIOS/UEFI.
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Look for Advanced CPU settings, Thermal management, or Performance options.
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Disable settings like:
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CPU Power Saving Mode
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Thermal Throttling
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Save and exit.
⚠️ BIOS menus vary by manufacturer, so check your motherboard or laptop manual.
Step 5: Disable Intel SpeedStep or AMD Cool’n’Quiet (Optional)
Many CPUs have built-in power-saving features:
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Intel SpeedStep
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AMD Cool’n’Quiet
To disable them:
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Enter BIOS/UEFI settings.
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Find CPU Power Management.
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Turn off SpeedStep or Cool’n’Quiet.
👉 This forces the CPU to run at maximum clock speeds.
Step 6: Update CPU and Chipset Drivers
Outdated drivers can cause unwanted throttling.
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Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
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Expand Processors and System devices.
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Right-click → Update driver.
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You can also download the latest drivers from:
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Intel Driver & Support Assistant
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AMD Auto-Detect and Install Tool
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Step 7: Monitor CPU Performance After Changes
To confirm throttling is disabled:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → open Task Manager → check CPU usage under Performance tab.
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Or install third-party tools like:
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HWMonitor
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Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU)
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AMD Ryzen Master
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If your CPU consistently runs at maximum clock speed during heavy loads, throttling is disabled.
Risks of Disabling CPU Throttling
Disabling throttling can improve performance but comes with risks:
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Overheating → May cause system crashes or reduce lifespan.
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Higher fan noise → Fans run more often at full speed.
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Battery drain → Laptops will run out of power faster.
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Potential hardware damage if cooling is inadequate.
👉 To minimize risks, use a cooling pad for laptops or upgrade cooling for desktops.
Alternative Ways to Boost CPU Speed Without Risks
If you’re hesitant to disable throttling, try these safer options:
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Clean dust from vents and fans to improve cooling.
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Reapply thermal paste if your CPU is old.
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Undervolt your CPU (reduces heat without losing performance).
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Overclock carefully (if your CPU supports it).
Conclusion
Disabling CPU throttling in Windows 11 can unleash your processor’s full power — perfect for gamers, content creators, and power users. Start with power plan tweaks in Windows, then adjust advanced settings like maximum processor state. For advanced users, BIOS/UEFI gives even more control.
But remember: higher performance comes at a cost — more heat, noise, and battery consumption. If you have good cooling and need maximum speed, disabling throttling is worth it. Otherwise, balance performance with system safety.
FAQs
1. Is it safe to disable CPU throttling in Windows 11?
Yes, but only if your system has good cooling. Otherwise, you risk overheating.
2. Will disabling CPU throttling improve gaming performance?
Yes. It prevents your CPU from downclocking, leading to smoother FPS and lower stutters.
3. How do I know if my CPU is throttling?
Use tools like HWMonitor or Task Manager. If your CPU frequency drops under load, it’s throttling.
4. Can I disable CPU throttling on laptops?
Yes, but it will drain your battery faster and may increase heat. Use a cooling pad for safety.
5. What’s better: disabling throttling or upgrading cooling?
Ideally both. Upgrading cooling ensures you can safely disable throttling without overheating.
✅ Key Takeaway: Disabling CPU throttling in Windows 11 is simple — just tweak power settings, adjust processor state, and (optionally) edit BIOS settings. But always keep an eye on temperatures to protect your system.