Windows 11 Goes Green With Improved Power Settings

Latest preview build coming with several notable changes

Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 would be getting a series of improvements in terms of power settings and recommendations.

Part of the most recent Windows 11 preview build, the new refinements adjust the default values for certain power configurations, while also displaying recommendations in the Settings app for reduced consumption and carbon emissions.

However, it’s important to keep in mind this feature is still in its early days, and Microsoft says it’s already working on additional improvements that should be live sooner rather than later.

“The default values for Sleep and Screen off have been updated to reduce energy consumption, and carbon emissions, when PCs are idle. We will also provide power saving recommendations to help reduce carbon emissions to those with Sleep and Screen off set to Never,” it says.

“The changes to default Sleep and Screen off settings will only be seen by those clean-installing Windows 11 with this build or higher. If you intentionally set Sleep or Screen off to Never, please let us know why, especially if sleep is not working as expected. We’re still working on the content that the “Power consumption and carbon emissions” options links to – stay tuned for future updates.”

No ETA for the production launch

These improved power settings are included in Windows 11 build 22557, but Microsoft is expected to ship them to production devices in an update scheduled to go live later this year.

The company will launch a feature update with important improvements for Windows 11 in the second half of the year, but at this point, it says small refinements will also be included in quality updates.

But of course, there’s no ETA as to when a certain feature could go live, so for now, if you want to check out the latest goodies on the Windows 11 front, the best option is to join the Insider program.