- Windows 11 integrates native tools to monitor the energy consumption of each application.
- El Task Manager provides detailed, real-time information on energy consumption.
- Advanced power saving, background app control, and uninstallation features are available to optimize battery life.
El energy consumption of technological devices is a key aspect for those seeking to optimize the autonomy and efficiency of their equipment portable. On computers with Windows 11. Having control and knowledge of which apps are responsible for draining your battery is essential to extending your device's lifespan, minimizing its impact on the environment, and avoiding unpleasant surprises during days of intensive use.
Microsoft has made significant progress in the Windows power management, integrating intuitive tools that make it easy to identify, monitor, and manage the most energy-consuming applications. Knowing these features will help you make informed decisions and adopt habits that help keep your laptop in optimal condition, both in terms of performance and energy savings.
Why is it important to monitor power consumption in Windows 11?
Powering electronic devices requires energy, and the way we use it has a direct impact on our carbon footprint, especially when it comes from non-renewable sources. Microsoft, aware of this reality, has committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products, even when the devices are idle. Properly configuring Windows 11 allows you to take full advantage of power saving and monitoring options to conserve battery life and be more efficient.
Optimization not only focuses on the moments when you use your laptop, but also on situations where applications are left running in the background. Often these apps They can drain your battery without you even realizing it, decreasing its lifespan and causing discomfort if you need your device away from home or the office for long periods.
Furthermore, Intensive use of the CPU, GPU, and background running of certain programs significantly impacts battery life.Therefore, identifying these cases is the first step toward smart energy management.
Native Windows 11 tools for monitoring power consumption
Windows 11 includes specific features within its settings that allow you to view the history and energy consumption of each application. Thanks to these built-in utilities, you can easily discover which programs are draining your battery and modify their behavior to extend your device's battery life.
To access this data, you only need to follow a few simple steps:
- Open Windows Settings: You can do this by pressing the keys Windows + I or by searching for it from the start menu.
- Select the “System” section and go to the “Power and Battery” section.
- Within the battery area, you will find the option “Battery usage”. Click to enlarge.
- Scroll down to the “Battery usage by app” section. Here you'll see a list of all apps along with the percentage of usage they've generated in the last 24 hours or the last 7 days, depending on your choice.
This tool is extremely useful for differentiating between foreground and background consumption. This way, you can detect resource-intensive apps even when you're not actively using them.
In the “Sort by” menu, you have the option to view the list of apps by total usage, active usage, background usage, or alphabetical order. This feature facilitates prioritization and analysis to detect anomalous behavior or applications that require intervention.
Task Manager: Your ally for energy management
The classic Windows Task Manager is another essential tool for identifying which applications consume the most power. It allows real-time monitoring of energy consumption for all processes, providing advanced details.
- To open Task Manager: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or right-click on the taskbar and select the corresponding option.
- In the simplified view, select “More details.”
- Go to the “Processes” tab.
- Right-click any column header (for example, “Name” or “CPU”). Adds the “Energy Usage” and “Energy Usage Trend” columns from the context menu.
These columns allow processes to be classified according to their impact, with indicators such as Very low, Low, Moderate, High or Very highThe trend column is especially useful, as helps you distinguish between sustained high consumption and occasional peaks.
If you detect an application with a power consumption classified as "Very High," it is likely significantly interfering with the device's battery life. Check the reason: it could be due to high CPU usage (video editing or rendering), GPU usage (gaming or graphics work), or unusual background activity.
Energy Optimization: How to Act When You Detect Problematic Apps
After identifying which apps are draining your battery the most, you can take several actions to optimize their usage and extend your device's lifespan:
- Limit tabs and extensions in browsers: Open tabs and unnecessary extensions can cause unexpected power consumption, especially if you have a lot of windows open in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
- Turn off auto-starting apps: Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable unnecessary programs on each Boot.
- Adjust the power mode: Click the battery icon in the taskbar and select Power Saving Mode or “Better Battery” to limit background activity.
- Close power-hungry tasks from Task Manager: If you need a quick fix, select the processes with "Very High" usage and end them immediately.
- Opt for web versions whenever possible: Many desktop applications consume more resources than their online versions, such as email platforms or document editing.
As well, You can manage the background activity of each app from Windows SettingsIf you notice a specific app using too much power, click the three dots next to its name in the list and select "Manage background activity." This way, you can prevent it from running when you don't actively need it.
Advanced savings features and new features in Windows 11
Windows 11 adds new features to make it easier to track energy usage and enable battery saver based on your preferences. This option disables processes such as automatic email synchronization, background updates, and other non-priority activities, helping to conserve power in critical situations.
To automate battery saving:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Battery & Power
- Under “Battery Saver,” select the battery level at which it will automatically activate.
- You can also activate this mode at any time using the battery icon in notifications and using the quick settings option.
Microsoft is also working on new experimental features in recent versions of Windows 11 that will offer more detailed power consumption graphs. These tools will provide greater accuracy and improved visualization of power usage by application, giving you more control over your laptop's efficiency.
Extra tips to extend your laptop's battery life
In addition to controlling app usage, there are settings and habits that can help improve your device's energy management:
- Reduces screen brightness and limits unnecessary on-time. The screen is one of the components that consumes the most energy.
- Unplug external devices when not in use. Peripherals like hard drives, cameras, or printers can waste power without you even realizing it.
- Update the operating system and drivers. Updates often include improvements to resource management.
- Delete applications that you don't use regularly. Uninstall them to avoid background processes that add no value.
If you notice excessive power consumption in an app, also check its internal settings. Sometimes, adjusting the settings or preventing it from starting automatically with the system can help you notice a significant improvement.
If problems persist, consider seeking specialized technical support, as some issues may be due to bugs or operating system issues.
These tips and tools are useful for both Windows 10 and Windows 11, although in the latter version the options are more accessible and visual.
After analyzing the built-in tools, ways to identify power-hungry apps, and strategies for optimizing power in Windows 11, it's clear that conscious use of system features helps not only extend battery life but also improves productivity and reduces environmental impact. Being proactive about energy management and improving your usage habits is key to getting the most out of your laptop.
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