You can adjust the power, standby, and sleep settings in Microsoft Windows and through the CMOS setup. Select a link below for your computer’s operating system to learn how to adjust these settings.

Windows 11

  • Open the Control Panel.

  • If you use the Category view, click the Hardware and Sound entry. If using the Small icons or Large icons view, skip to the next step.

  • Click the Power options entry.

  • Click the Change plan settings link next to the plan you want to modify.

  • In the Edit Plan Settings window, adjust the display and sleep settings as desired. If you want to prevent your computer from going into Standby mode or turning off the screen, select Never in each drop-down menu. You can also change how long before the screen is turned off or the computer goes to sleep by selecting a different time limit.

  • Windows 11

  • Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10.

  • Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP.

  • macOS

  • Through CMOS setup.

Laptop users can also right-click the battery icon in the notification area and select Power and sleep settings to access the power settings.

  • After making the desired changes, click the Save changes button and close the window.

You can also click the Change advanced power settings link in the Edit Plan Settings window to change additional settings.

Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10

  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Click Hardware and Sound.
  • Click Power options or Change power-saving settings.
  • Click the Change Plan link under any of the plans to get the Edit Plan Settings window, as shown below. If you want to prevent your computer from going into Standby mode or turning off the screen, select Never. You can also change the amount of time before the screen is turned off or the computer goes into Standby mode by selecting a different time limit.

Laptop users can also click the power icon in their notification area to get to the power settings.

Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP

  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Double-click the Power, Power Management, or Power Options icon depending on your version of Windows.
  • On the Power Schemes tab, click the down arrow by System Standby and select Never. If you’re running an earlier version of Windows, disable the option to turn off the hard drive and monitor by clicking the down arrow and selecting Never. You can also change the amount of time before the screen is turned off or the computer goes into Standby mode by selecting a different time limit.

macOS

  • In the Dock, click the System Preferences icon.

  • In the System Preferences menu, near the bottom, click Energy Saver.

  • In the next window, select how long until the monitor goes to sleep, and check or uncheck the five additional power settings as desired.

Through CMOS setup

Computers running variants of Linux or other operating systems allow you to adjust or disable the power settings through CMOS setup. In CMOS setup, a power category provides options to enable and disable power management.

  • Is it better to leave the computer on or turn it off?
  • How to change the lid closing settings on a laptop.
  • How to disable the power, sleep, or wake buttons in Windows.
  • Is it ok for a laptop to hibernate or go to Standby mode?
  • Receive blinking cursor when resuming from Standby mode.
  • See the power options, standby, and sleep definitions for further information and related links.
  • Power management help and support.