Turning off Efficiency Mode in Windows 11 isn’t exactly rocket science, but it can be a little tricky depending on the build or how your system is set up. This feature tends to be pretty handy for extending battery life, especially on laptops, but if you’re into pushing your machine harder — say, for gaming or editing — it might feel restrictive. The thing is, some folks have noticed that, despite enabling it to save juice, it can throttle your CPU under the hood, leading to sluggish performance. So, if you’re experiencing lag or just want that extra oomph, disabling it might solve the issue.
Now, the steps look simple on paper, but Windows 11 has a few different pathways to toggle settings, and sometimes, parts of the menu don’t make immediate sense. Here’s what usually works (and a few extra tips just in case):
How to Disable Efficiency Mode in Windows 11
Method 1: Through Settings > System > Power & Battery
This is the most straightforward route, and it’s supposed to be the default. When you go here, you’ll find the toggle for Efficiency Mode. But sometimes, on certain updates or builds, the toggle either isn’t visible or doesn’t do much at first.
- Open Settings: Hit Win + I or click the Start menu and select Settings.
- Navigate to System: Click on System in the sidebar, then find Power & Battery.
- Find Efficiency Mode: Look for Efficiency Mode toggle. If it’s there, switch it off. If not, don’t panic — this isn’t the only way.
Note: On some setups, this toggle can be harder to spot or grayed out. In that case, you might need to dig a bit deeper.
Method 2: Using Power Settings in the Command Line (PowerShell)
This method is a bit more advanced but can help when the normal GUI doesn’t do the trick. Windows has hidden power plans and settings stored in system files that can influence this behavior.
- Open PowerShell as admin: Right-click the Start button, select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Run this command to see your current power plan:
powercfg /L. - If you find a plan that’s set to a power saver mode, you can modify it with:
powercfg /S.
Here’s where it gets weird — there’s no direct command to toggle Efficiency Mode, but ensuring you’re on a balanced or high-performance plan generally disables the redundant power-saving features, which can help boost performance.
Method 3: Registry Hack (If you’re comfortable with editing system registry)
Because Windows sometimes keeps things hidden, you can try editing the registry. This is kinda risky, so backup first. You can try looking at these registry keys:
- Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Power. - Look for keys related to Efficiency Mode, but honestly, they’re not always consistent. This is more for advanced users.
Higher chances of success are found by disabling related features via the Group Policy Editor or third-party tools, but those aren’t guaranteed and can vary wildly between updates.
When all else fails — try a restart or system update
Sometimes, Windows just needs a reboot after toggling certain features or installing updates. A fresh restart can apply hidden changes and get the toggle working as expected. Meanwhile, an update can fix bugs or add missing options.
And yes, Windows isn’t always transparent about what’s enabled or disabled, especially with newer versions. If things seem wonky, check for updates or try resetting power plans altogether.
In the end, disabling Efficiency Mode can give your system that extra performance punch, but it’s not always straightforward. Be prepared for the odd glitch or missing toggle — it’s kind of weird, but Windows has to make it harder than necessary sometimes. Just keep in mind, some updates might reset your settings, so it’s worth checking back after a few days or system upgrades.
Summary
- Try Settings > System > Power & Battery to toggle Efficiency Mode directly.
- Use PowerShell commands to influence the power plan if needed.
- Advanced users can edit registry keys or tweak group policy.
- Reboot after changes — Windows isn’t always quick to apply them.
Wrap-up
Disabling Efficiency Mode can be a bit more hassle than it should be, especially when Windows leaves some menus out or makes the toggle invisible. If improving your performance is a priority, trying the above methods — and maybe poking around system settings — might be worth it. Just keep in mind, on some devices or updates, the toggle’s just not there, and you might need more drastic measures or third-party tools. Fingers crossed this helps someone finally get that extra speed when it really counts.