Battery saving tips for laptops running Windows

TipsMake.com - Have you ever been tired of the poor battery life of your Windows laptop? If so, the following article may help you improve this situation. The battery saving tips given below will help users to maximize the battery life of a laptop, thus reducing the risk of a source drop when your work is incomplete.

1. Use Windows power plans

First start with the most powerful battery saving option by customizing energy during use. In Windows 7, start Select Maximum Battery Life in the Power Scheme frame and customize the settings according to your preferences. These settings will cause Windows to adjust the screen brightness while using the battery, when the screen is dimmed, when the screen is turned off and when the computer is in sleep mode.

2. Advanced settings

While adjusting power plans, click " Change advanced power settings " and set the period of inactivity before Windows turns off the hard drive completely. Also the hibernate feature is activated so when you leave the computer for a long time, the laptop will automatically turn off. The difference between the hibernate and sleep modes is that in hibernate your work will be saved in the hard drive and the computer is actually shut down. While in sleep mode, you save your unfinished jobs at RAM then the display and hard drive will be turned off. Using hibernate will save power, but the reboot will take a long time, even longer when you turn on the computer from the beginning, sleep will respond to the display again faster but will still consume energy. Depending on your needs, test other advanced settings to get the best results for you.

3. Disable network connection

If your computer has a Bluetooth function, turn off this function and Wi-fi if not in use. Most laptops have their own buttons or key combinations so you can quickly turn this function on / off. If your laptop doesn't have this shortcut, use the Windows + X keyboard shortcut to start the Windows Mobility Center feature. WMC will allow you to quickly access some mobile settings like Wi-Fi.

4. Reduce CPU usage

Turn off automated tasks and programs so that the CPU does not have to handle unnecessary tasks. To disable these programs you can use the AutoRuns for Windows utility, or use the MSConfig feature available in Windows. Just type ' msconfig.exe ' or ' msconfig ' in the RUN dialog box, press Enter .

Also, keep your laptop's vents clean, avoid dirt and obstructions to air circulation. Place the computer on a flat surface when using it, absolutely avoid leaving it on the pillow. If the CPU is too hot, your laptop will need to use more power to run the cooling fans.

5. Reduce the use of hard drives

The hard disk has to work a lot means it needs to use a lot of energy. Defragmenting the drive will make finding files faster, thus reducing the hard drive's uptime. Also, to prevent the system from using the hard disk for virtual memory, consider the maximum amount of memory in your computer. Finally, if possible, upgrade to an SSD drive. This drive consumes less power than a traditional hard drive, its weight is also lighter and its performance is significantly faster.

6. Laptop battery maintenance tips

After about 2 months of use, clean the metal contacts on the battery for your computer with cotton and alcohol. This will help prevent dirt and corrosion over time, reducing battery performance. If you have a laptop that uses NiMH (old battery) batteries, adjust and charge (charge the battery) until it is full, then unplug the charger and use it to discharge the battery. Repeat this process about 3 times. The difference of this type of battery compared to traditional Lithium ion is that it needs to discharge the battery and charge continuously, so manufacturers often recommend users to switch to Lithium ion batteries.

7. Limit optical drives and USB ports

If your laptop comes with an optical drive, disable it in Device Manager . Even though unused optical drives still consume laptop battery power. If you want to watch movies, copy them to the hard drive and enjoy it instead of watching it directly on the optical drive because the hard disk uses less power. Finally avoid using expansion slots or usb ports to save battery. Remove all unused peripherals, including external hard drives, keyboards, and mice .