Energy Saver is the Windows 11 24H2 replacement for Battery Saver: when it is on, Windows dims the display by 30%, turns off transparency effects and locks the power mode, and on low battery it also blocks background apps, some syncing and non-critical update downloads. It does not change your screen timeout, so a screen that dims while you read is Energy Saver, while a screen that turns off is your sleep settings. StayGreen from Automata Labs keeps the display awake for exactly as long as you need, and it is designed to step aside on battery and when the power saving mode switches on, handing control back to Windows instead of fighting it.
Keep the screen on when it matters, and let Windows save power when it doesn’t.
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What is Energy Saver in Windows 11?
Microsoft’s hardware documentation for Energy Saver says it “replaces battery saver and exists on Windows 11 24H2 and later versions.” It describes the goal as extending battery life and reducing energy use “by automatically managing power usage across your system and apps for an optimal balance of PC performance and energy efficiency.”
The older Battery Saver page confirms the handover: Battery Saver “exists on Windows 11 24H1 (and earlier) and on Windows 10. It is replaced by Energy Saver on Windows 11 24H2 and later.” On those older versions, it notes that Battery Saver “will turn on automatically when your battery falls below 20%” by default.
What does Energy Saver change when it is on?
Microsoft splits the effects into two groups. Some apply whenever Energy Saver is on. Others apply only when the device is unplugged and the battery is low.
| When | What Energy Saver does |
|---|---|
| Whenever it is on | You cannot change the power mode in Windows Settings |
| Whenever it is on | Display brightness is reduced by 30%, a setting users can enable or disable |
| Whenever it is on | Transparency effects on window backgrounds are disabled |
| Unplugged and low battery | Certain Microsoft apps, including OneNote, OneDrive and Phone Link, may not sync |
| Unplugged and low battery | Background apps are blocked, though you can allow specific apps, and some categories such as VOIP apps keep running |
| Unplugged and low battery | Non-critical Windows Update downloads are blocked, although update scans still occur |
| Unplugged and low battery | Most telemetry is blocked, and many scheduled tasks are delayed until Energy Saver turns off |
Microsoft adds that “The list is subject to further changes as the devices get updates from Windows Update,” so treat it as the current picture rather than a permanent contract. The 30% figure is the default; Microsoft says OEMs can configure the value through the ESBRIGHTNESS power setting.
How do I turn Energy Saver on, off, or on automatically?
Microsoft’s battery saving tips page gives the settings:
- Open Settings, System, Power and battery.
- Expand Energy saver.
- To turn it on at a certain charge, set Turn energy saver on when battery level is at to the level you want.
- To turn it on now, set Always use energy saver to On, or select the battery icon in the notification area and choose the Energy saver quick setting.
On the support page, Always use energy saver keeps it on “until the next time you plug in your PC.” Microsoft’s hardware documentation also says users can configure their devices to “always run energy saver when their devices are plugged in,” and that “Windows recommends users to enable energy saver all the time.” What you see may depend on your device and Windows build.
Why is my screen dimmer with Energy Saver on?
Because dimming is one of its main tools. Microsoft says display brightness “is reduced by 30%” while Energy Saver is on, and “Users can enable or disable this setting.” If the screen looks dull on battery, check the Energy Saver section in Power and battery before you blame your display, your graphics driver, or a keep-awake app.
It is worth being clear about what Energy Saver does not list. Microsoft’s page does not mention changing your “turn off my screen after” or sleep timeouts. Those live in Settings, System, Power and battery, Screen and sleep. A screen that goes black after a few minutes is following those timeouts, not Energy Saver.
Does Energy Saver stop keep-awake apps from working?
Energy Saver itself does not list keep-awake requests among the things it blocks. But Windows tells apps when it is on, and asks them to behave. Microsoft’s API reference for SYSTEM_POWER_STATUS describes a SystemStatusFlag that reports “The status of battery saver,” with this guidance for developers: “To participate in energy conservation, avoid resource intensive tasks when battery saver is on.” The Energy Saver page points developers to the same structure for “accessing energy saver status in your application.”
So the real question is how each keep-awake tool chooses to respond. Two other Windows behaviors also matter on laptops:
- Modern Standby on battery. StayGreen’s own Store listing explains that on laptops using Modern Standby, “Windows ends keep-awake requests a few minutes after the sleep timeout while running on battery. No application can override this.” We cover that in why Windows still sleeps with a keep-awake app.
- Power request overrides. Microsoft’s powercfg reference lists a /requestsoverride option that “Sets a Power Request override for a particular Process, Service, or Driver.” You can see what is holding the system awake with the commands in powercfg requests: what keeps Windows awake.
How does StayGreen behave with Energy Saver and Battery Saver?
StayGreen is designed to cooperate rather than override. According to its Microsoft Store listing:
- It steps aside automatically on battery power and “when Battery Saver switches on,” handing control back to your Windows power settings.
- It releases the power request the moment you lock your PC, and when you close the lid with no external monitor attached, while continuing to work in clamshell mode with one.
- Timed sessions: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, or any duration up to 7 days, with a live countdown, after which the display is released.
- Per-app rules: it holds the display only while a named app, such as your presentation or dashboard, is in the foreground.
- Two modes: display and system, for presenting and reading, or system only, for long unattended work such as backups, builds and renders.
- Honest status: the readout “always describes what Windows has actually granted, not what the app asked for,” and it tells you when Modern Standby limits apply.
- No power plan changes: it “does not change your Windows power plan or edit your sleep settings.”
- Private: no network access, no accounts and no telemetry.
StayGreen’s listing uses the name Battery Saver. On Windows 11 24H2 and later, Energy Saver is the feature that replaced it, and Microsoft points apps to the same status flag for both. If your workflow depends on exactly how a keep-awake tool reacts to Energy Saver on your device, test it there before you rely on it.
A keep-awake tool that knows when to stop: on battery, at the lock screen, and when the timer ends.
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Which setting should I change for my situation?
| What you want | Change this | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A brighter screen on battery | Energy Saver’s brightness reduction, or turn Energy Saver off | Costs battery life |
| The screen to stay on while presenting or reading | A keep-awake app, or a longer screen timeout | StayGreen’s timed session ends by itself |
| Background sync on low battery | Allow specific apps, or plug in | Microsoft says you can allow individual apps |
| Long downloads or builds while plugged in | System-only keep-awake | Energy Saver’s low-battery limits do not apply when plugged in |
| Maximum battery life | Always use energy saver | Expect dimming and fewer background tasks |
For a wider comparison of tools, see the best keep-awake tool for Windows 11 and StayGreen vs PowerToys Awake.
Frequently asked questions
Is Energy Saver the same as Battery Saver?
It is the replacement. Microsoft says Energy Saver replaces Battery Saver on Windows 11 24H2 and later.
Does Energy Saver turn off my screen sooner?
Microsoft’s list of Energy Saver behaviors does not include changing screen or sleep timeouts. It does reduce brightness by 30% by default.
Can I use Energy Saver while plugged in?
Microsoft’s hardware documentation says devices can be configured to always run Energy Saver when plugged in. The low-battery restrictions apply only when the device is unplugged and low.
Why can’t I change the power mode?
Microsoft says users cannot change the power mode in Windows Settings while Energy Saver is on. Turn it off first.
Does StayGreen change my power plan?
No. Its listing says it asks Windows for a power request and releases it cleanly, without editing your sleep settings.
Try StayGreen
Get StayGreen from the Microsoft Store. It is a one-time purchase with no subscription, and the Store listing shows the current price.
Keep the screen awake for exactly as long as you need, then hand control back to Windows.
Get it from Microsoft
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. StayGreen is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.
Last updated 21 October 2026. Published by Automata Labs, a software company in Canada.