If your Windows 11 laptop feels like it’s running hot, draining the battery too quickly, or sounding like a jet engine with fans on full blast, there’s a good chance you’re using High Performance mode. While this mode gives you maximum power, it’s not always ideal for everyday use. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about turning it off, why you might want to, and how to optimize your PC’s performance without sacrificing efficiency.
What Is High Performance Mode in Windows 11?
High Performance mode is a power plan that prioritizes performance over energy savings. In other words, your CPU stays running at higher speeds, your computer is always ready to go, and background tasks run faster.
Sounds great, right? Well… not always.
Why High Performance Mode Can Be a Problem
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Higher Power Consumption – Your computer will use more electricity, which drains laptop batteries fast.
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Increased Heat – Constantly running at high speeds means more heat, which may shorten component lifespan.
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Loud Fans – More heat means your fans work harder, which can be distracting.
When High Performance Mode Is Useful
To be fair, High Performance mode isn’t bad — it’s perfect for:
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Gaming or heavy 3D rendering
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Video editing and content creation
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Running virtual machines or software that needs full power
But if you’re just browsing, streaming, or writing emails, you don’t need it.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Turn Off High Performance Mode
Ready to switch back to a more balanced, battery-friendly setting? Follow these steps.
Step 1: Open the Settings App
Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
Step 2: Navigate to System > Power & Battery
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Click System in the left sidebar.
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Scroll down and select Power & Battery.
Step 3: Change Power Mode
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Look for the Power Mode dropdown.
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Select Balanced or Best Power Efficiency instead of High Performance.
This instantly switches your power plan.
Step 4: Check the Classic Control Panel (Optional)
If you don’t see the option above:
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Press Windows + R and type
control→ hit Enter. -
Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
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Choose Balanced or another plan.
Step 5: Disable Ultimate Performance (If Enabled)
Some users manually enable Ultimate Performance mode (an even more aggressive setting). To disable it:
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Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
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Type:
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Hit Enter.
This forces Windows to switch back to Balanced mode.
How to Verify the Change
You can quickly check your active power plan:
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Open Control Panel > Power Options
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Confirm that Balanced or Power Saver is selected
Alternatively, check CPU usage — you should see slightly lower average utilization when idle.
Other Ways to Reduce Performance Mode Behavior
Even after switching power modes, you might want to tweak a few more settings.
Adjust Processor Power Management
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Open Control Panel > Power Options > Change Plan Settings
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Click Change Advanced Power Settings
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Expand Processor Power Management
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Reduce Minimum Processor State to around 5-10% for better energy savings
Use Battery Saver Mode
If you’re on a laptop, enable Battery Saver for maximum battery life:
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Click the battery icon on the taskbar
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Toggle Battery Saver
Turn Off Background Apps
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and disable background activity for apps you rarely use.
Benefits of Turning Off High Performance Mode
Still not sure if you should switch? Here’s what you gain:
Lower Energy Bills
Your PC consumes less power, which is great for laptops and eco-conscious users.
Longer Battery Life
Perfect if you’re always on the go and don’t want to carry your charger everywhere.
Quieter Operation
Less fan noise means a calmer, distraction-free environment.
Longer Lifespan for Hardware
Your CPU and GPU won’t be constantly running at high temperatures, which is better for long-term health.
Common Problems After Turning It Off (And Fixes)
Sometimes switching away from High Performance can make your PC feel slower. Don’t worry — there are easy fixes.
Problem: System Feels Sluggish
Solution:
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Switch to Balanced mode (not Power Saver)
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Update drivers and Windows to ensure smooth performance
Problem: Games Run Poorly
Solution:
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Use Game Mode in Windows 11 (Settings > Gaming > Game Mode)
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Temporarily switch to High Performance when gaming
Problem: Background Tasks Slow Down
Solution:
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Increase processor minimum state slightly (15-20%)
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Close unnecessary programs before running heavy tasks
Should You Turn High Performance Mode Back On?
It depends on what you’re doing. If you’re editing videos, rendering 3D graphics, or gaming, enabling it temporarily is fine. Otherwise, leave it off — your computer will thank you.
Best Practices for Balancing Performance and Efficiency
Think of High Performance mode like driving a sports car at top speed — fun, but not sustainable every day. Instead:
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Use Balanced mode for daily tasks
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Enable High Performance only when needed
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Keep drivers updated for best stability
Final Thoughts
Turning off High Performance mode in Windows 11 is simple and can save power, reduce heat, and prolong your computer’s life. With just a few clicks, you can switch back to a more efficient plan, while still keeping the option to go full power when necessary.
FAQs
1. Will turning off High Performance mode slow down my computer?
Only slightly, and you probably won’t notice during everyday tasks like browsing or writing documents.
2. Is Balanced mode good enough for gaming?
Yes, in most cases. You can always manually switch to High Performance before starting a game.
3. Can I create my own custom power plan?
Absolutely! Windows 11 lets you tweak settings like processor states and screen timeouts to build a plan tailored to you.
4. How do I know if I’m currently in High Performance mode?
Open Control Panel > Power Options — your active plan will be highlighted.
5. Is Ultimate Performance mode worth using?
It’s overkill for most users. It’s mainly designed for high-end workstations and servers that need maximum responsiveness.