Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

This new Windows 11 setting could improve performance and battery life

Add as a preferred source on Google
The new power setting in the recent build for Windows 11.
@phantomofearth / X

Yesterday, Microsoft released the Windows 11 26252 build, which brings a flood of innovations that will give users a much-needed power boost. One of those changes is a new power setting that will provide the user more control when their PC is on battery power or not, as Phantom Ocean 3 mentions in a post on X (formerly Twitter), which was noticed by Windows Latest.

In theory, this greater degree of control will allow your system to automate power settings so that you don’t forget to manually switch them while plugged in or on battery.

Recommended Videos

The new option will launch with the 24H2 update, but unconfirmed rumors suggest an October release. For now, users will need to wait and see what happens. But with the hidden power option, users can set their preferred power setting by clicking on Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode drop-down menu.

The two new options that will appear are On battery and Plugged in. However, if you’re running on the Windows 23H3 build, you won’t see the latest options yet. Windows 11 preserves power mode for each profile, but the display is unclear for the time being.

The update also brings changes such as pinning apps to the taskbar and desktop directly from the Start Menu, turning off HDR to save power, an improved Weather app, and more options. Windows 11 Insiders will also see an expiry date data option in the About section of the Settings app. The Canary build also adds fixes to issues in:

  • Voice Typing
  • Windows Setup (OOBE) displayed pinyin twice in the input methods list
  • No text information on the Windows Update page
  • Power & Battery displayed double text when warning of slow charging
  • Resized icons in the Startup section to available space

Nevertheless, the update does not fix the issue preventing Dev and Canary users from downloading the latest build. The only known workaround for installing the latest build is manually using the official ISO file.

The Windows 11 24H2 update will also axe three iconic apps, such as the legendary WordPad app. However, until the update arrives, anything can still change, and we’ll have to wait for what the update finally brings.

Judy Sanhz
Computing Writer
Judy Sanhz is a Digital Trends computing writer covering all computing news. Loves all operating systems and devices.
Brave’s new Container feature is a lifesaver for anyone juggling multiple accounts
With this feature, you won't need to open three different browsers
Brave browser 3D logo

Brave has added Containers to its desktop browser, giving users a built-in way to keep different accounts, sessions, and browsing activity separate. The feature is available in Brave 1.92 for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is rolling out in phases over the next few days.

Containers have been a highly requested feature, especially for users who regularly switch between work, personal, developer, or creator accounts. Once enabled, they let users open tabs in separate spaces where cookies and site storage are not shared outside that container.

Read more
Intel may bring back older desktop CPUs because DDR5 is getting too expensive
Older Intel Core CPUs from 10th to 14th Gen may get a second life
Intel Core i5-12400F box sitting in front of a gaming PC.

Intel may be preparing an unusual response to the ongoing memory crunch. According to Chinese outlet ITHome, citing ChannelGate, the company’s latest production plan includes restarting production of 13th-gen and 14th-gen Core processors.

The move is expected to increase supply across Intel’s 10th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen CPU families, especially in mainland China. For DIY PC builders, the timing is important. DDR5 memory prices have climbed sharply, making newer platforms harder to justify for anyone trying to build an affordable gaming PC.

Read more
Amazon wants to design in-house chips for Kindles, Fire TV, and Echo speakers
Apple did it first. Amazon is doing it now, starting with 40 million chips a year and a partner most people have never heard of.
Amazon Kindle Scribe dark mode featured image.

Apple's decision to design its own chips reshaped the consumer electronics industry. Amazon may be about to make the same call, just about two decades later.

Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that Amazon is preparing to shift away from externally sourced processors for its consumer electronics lineup, marking what he describes as the company's first major processor procurement change in 20 years. The transition is expected to begin in 2027.

Read more