Windows 11 looks sleek, modern, and user-friendly—but under the hood, it’s designed to balance performance with power efficiency. By default, most laptops and even desktops run on a Balanced power plan, which saves battery and reduces heat. But if you’re a gamer, video editor, or just someone who wants maximum performance, switching to High Performance Mode (or even Ultimate Performance Mode) can give your system a noticeable boost.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to enable High Performance Mode in Windows 11 step by step, explain what it does, and share some tips to get the most out of it.
What is High Performance Mode in Windows 11?
High Performance Mode is a power plan that prioritizes speed and responsiveness over energy saving.
- Balanced Mode: Best for everyday use, balances energy efficiency with performance.
- High Performance Mode: Maximizes CPU speed, reduces latency, and ensures faster system response.
- Ultimate Performance Mode: Designed for power-hungry PCs, like workstations, offering maximum power at the cost of energy efficiency.
Why Enable High Performance Mode?
Here’s why you might want to enable it:
- Better Gaming Performance – Reduces CPU throttling and keeps your system running at peak speed.
- Smooth Video Editing – Handles heavy rendering tasks more efficiently.
- Low Latency – Ideal for streamers and multitaskers.
- Faster System Response – Apps open quicker and background processes run faster.
Of course, the trade-off is higher power consumption and potentially more fan noise.
Step 1: Check Your Current Power Plan
Before changing anything, let’s see what power plan your PC is using.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to System > Power & battery.
- Under Power mode, you’ll see if it’s set to Best power efficiency, Balanced, or Best performance.
Step 2: Enable High Performance Mode via Settings
The simplest way to switch is through Windows Settings.
- Open Settings with Windows + I.
- Go to System > Power & battery.
- Under Power mode, select Best performance.
👉 On some devices, you may not see this option. In that case, you’ll need to enable it manually (covered in the next steps).
Step 3: Enable High Performance Mode via Control Panel
Windows still includes the classic Control Panel method for power plans.
- Press Windows + S, type Control Panel, and open it.
- Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Expand Show additional plans.
- Select High performance.
Step 4: Enable Ultimate Performance Mode (For Maximum Power)
Ultimate Performance Mode goes beyond High Performance and is designed for heavy workloads. It may not appear by default, but you can enable it with a quick command.
Steps:
- Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
- Enter the command:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 - Hit Enter.
- Now go back to Control Panel > Power Options and select Ultimate Performance.
Step 5: Enable High Performance Mode via Windows Terminal or PowerShell
If you prefer PowerShell or Terminal:
- Right-click the Start menu → Select Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Type:
powercfg /listThis will show all available power plans. - To activate High Performance, type:
powercfg /setactive SCHEME_MIN - For Ultimate Performance, use the command from Step 4.
Step 6: Customize Your High Performance Plan
You can tweak High Performance mode to match your needs.
- Go to Control Panel > Power Options.
- Next to High performance, click Change plan settings.
- Adjust Turn off display and Put the computer to sleep settings.
- Click Change advanced power settings to fine-tune CPU usage, display, and hard drive behavior.
Step 7: Use High Performance Mode on Laptops
On laptops, High Performance Mode is often hidden to save battery life. To enable it:
- Plug in your charger.
- Follow the Control Panel steps to reveal additional power plans.
- Be aware: Battery life will drop faster.
When Should You Use High Performance Mode?
✅ Good for:
- Gaming
- Streaming
- Video editing
- 3D rendering
- Running virtual machines
❌ Not ideal for:
- Casual browsing
- Battery-saving situations
- Lightweight office work
Pros and Cons of High Performance Mode
Pros
- Maximum speed and responsiveness
- Great for heavy tasks
- Reduces lag and stuttering
Cons
- Shorter battery life on laptops
- Increased heat output
- Fans may get louder
Troubleshooting: High Performance Mode Not Showing Up
If you don’t see the option, try these fixes:
- Use the powercfg command in Command Prompt to unhide it.
- Update your system drivers.
- Ensure you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise (some editions hide Ultimate Performance).
How to Switch Back to Balanced Mode
If you want to return to a battery-friendly setup:
- Go to Settings > System > Power & battery.
- Switch back to Balanced or Best power efficiency.
Alternative Ways to Boost Performance in Windows 11
Enabling High Performance Mode isn’t the only way to speed up your system. Consider:
- Disabling startup programs via Task Manager.
- Turning off background apps.
- Freeing up storage with Storage Sense.
- Updating drivers for graphics and chipset.
- Using Game Mode for gaming performance.
Final Thoughts
High Performance Mode in Windows 11 is a powerful way to unlock extra speed and responsiveness. Whether you’re gaming, editing videos, or just want your system to feel snappier, enabling this mode is quick and easy. Just remember the trade-offs: higher power usage and possibly more heat. If you’re on a laptop, keep your charger handy.
With the right balance of performance mode and regular maintenance, your Windows 11 PC can run at its best.
FAQs
1. Does High Performance Mode damage my PC?
No, but it may increase heat and reduce battery life. As long as your cooling system is working, it’s safe.
2. Can I use High Performance Mode on a laptop without a charger?
Yes, but your battery will drain much faster.
3. What’s the difference between High Performance and Ultimate Performance Mode?
High Performance boosts speed, while Ultimate Performance removes all power-saving features for maximum output.
4. Will High Performance Mode improve gaming FPS?
It can reduce CPU throttling and improve stability, but the difference varies depending on your hardware.
5. Can I create a custom power plan?
Yes, you can duplicate and customize any plan in Control Panel > Power Options.