Change Your Power Plan to High Performance in Three Steps

To switch Windows 10 to High Performance, open Settings, go to System > Battery and device power, select Power plan, and choose High Performance from the dropdown. The change takes effect when ready. High Performance mode keeps your processor running at full speed instead of slowing it down to save power, which makes your computer faster but uses more electricity.

You can also reach the same setting through the Control Panel if Settings does not show the option on your version of Windows 10. Both routes lead to the same power plan choices.

Key Takeaways

  • High Performance mode runs your processor at maximum speed at all times, making your computer faster but increasing power consumption and heat output.
  • The fastest route is Settings > System > Battery and device power > Power plan, where you select High Performance from a dropdown menu.
  • If that menu does not appear, use Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings to find the same option.
  • Laptops on battery power will drain faster under High Performance, so consider switching back to Balanced when unplugged.
  • High Performance is most useful for gaming, video editing, or other demanding tasks; Balanced mode is fine for everyday work.

Using Settings to Change the Power Plan

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start button and type Settings. Once Settings opens, click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Battery and device power.

Look for a section labeled Power plan. Click the dropdown menu next to it. You will see at least two options: Balanced and High Performance. Select High Performance. Windows applies the change right away — you do not need to restart.

If you do not see a Power plan dropdown in Battery and device power, your version of Windows 10 may not display it there. Move to the Control Panel method instead.

Using Control Panel if Settings Does Not Show the Option

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type powercfg.cpl and press Enter. This opens the Power Options window directly.

You will see a list of power plans with radio buttons next to each one. Click the radio button next to High Performance. The change takes effect when ready. You can close the window after selecting it.

If High Performance does not appear in the list, your system may not have it installed. This is rare on desktop computers but more common on some laptops. In that case, Balanced mode is the next best choice for performance.

What High Performance Mode Actually Does

High Performance tells Windows to run your processor at its maximum speed all the time, rather than slowing it down when you are doing light tasks. This means your computer responds faster and handles demanding work more smoothly. The trade-off is that your CPU uses more power and generates more heat.

On a desktop computer plugged into wall power, High Performance is usually safe to leave on. On a laptop running on battery, it will drain your battery noticeably faster — sometimes by 20 to 40 percent depending on what you are doing. If you use a laptop away from a charger, consider switching back to Balanced when unplugged.

When to Use High Performance Versus Balanced

Use High Performance when you are gaming, editing video, rendering 3D models, or doing other work that demands constant processor speed. You will notice smoother performance and fewer stutters. It is also useful if your computer feels sluggish during everyday tasks and you want to rule out the power plan as the cause.

Use Balanced for everyday work like email, web browsing, document editing, and video watching. Balanced automatically speeds up the processor when you need it and slows it down when you do not, saving power without noticeably affecting performance for most people. On a laptop, Balanced is usually the better choice unless you are doing something demanding.

Power Saver mode, if your system has it, slows the processor even more than Balanced to extend battery life. Use it only when your laptop battery is very low and you need to reach a charger.

Checking Which Power Plan Is Currently Active

To see which plan you are using right now, open Settings > System > Battery and device power and look at the Power plan dropdown. The currently selected plan will be highlighted.

You can also check through Control Panel > Power Options. The active plan will have a filled radio button next to it. If you want to confirm the change took effect after switching, check this same spot a few seconds later.

Switching Back to Balanced or Another Plan

If High Performance causes your computer to run hot, drain battery too fast, or use too much electricity, switch back the same way you switched to it. Open Settings > System > Battery and device power > Power plan, or open Control Panel > Power Options, and select Balanced instead.

The change takes effect when ready. Your computer will return to normal power consumption and heat output. There is no downside to switching back and forth as often as you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will High Performance damage my computer?

No. High Performance is a standard Windows feature designed to be safe. Your computer has built-in thermal protection that will throttle the processor if it gets too hot. The only real downside is higher power use and heat output, which is why it drains laptop batteries faster.

Why does my computer feel slow even on High Performance?

High Performance affects only the processor speed. If your computer is slow, the problem is usually a full hard drive, not enough RAM, or too many programs running at startup. Check Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to see what is using your resources. Switching power plans will not fix those issues.

Can I set High Performance to turn on automatically at a certain time?

Windows does not have a built-in scheduler for power plans. You would need third-party software to automate the switch. For most people, manually switching when needed is simpler and more reliable.

Does High Performance use a lot more electricity?

It depends on what you are doing. During light tasks, the difference is small. During demanding work like gaming, High Performance can increase power draw by 20 to 50 percent. On a desktop, this usually does not matter. On a laptop, it noticeably shortens battery life.

What if High Performance is not in my power plan list?

Some laptop manufacturers disable it to prioritize battery life. If it is missing, Balanced mode is your best option. You can also try updating your chipset drivers from the manufacturer's website, which sometimes restores the option.