Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Windows 11 has a hidden Ultimate Performance power plan
Windows 11 includes a power plan called Ultimate Performance that is not shown in its standard settings.
It can be added by running an administrator command in Command Prompt.
Power plans affect how Windows manages the processor, including how quickly it responds to demand and whether it reduces activity when the computer is idle.
Ultimate Performance keeps the processor more ready to respond, while Balanced allows it to scale back more.
The article says Balanced is enough for most people, including gamers, and cautions against enabling Ultimate Performance on every PC.
It does not say what results the author’s test produced or what users should do next.
Windows 11 includes an “Ultimate Performance” power plan that is not shown in its standard settings.
The plan can be added through an administrator Command Prompt using a powercfg command.
It changes processor behavior, including keeping the minimum processor state at 100% and disabling core parking.
The article says the default Balanced plan is sufficient for most users, including people playing demanding games.
- Who
- Windows 11 users seeking to change their PC’s power settings.
- What
- An “Ultimate Performance” power plan can be unlocked and added to Power Options.
- When
- The article was updated Oct. 12, 2026.
- Where
- Windows 11.
- Why
- The plan is intended to favor performance by changing how Windows manages processor power and cores.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Hidden plan
- Ultimate Performance
- Command
- powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
- Balanced minimum processor state
- 0%
- Ultimate Performance minimum processor state
- 100%
- Balanced core-unparking threshold
- Roughly 80% utilization
- High-performance plans’ core-unparking threshold
- Around 65% utilization
What people are saying
By default, the "Balanced" power plan is absolutely more than enough for the bulk of users, and yes, that includes gamers running heavy AAA games.
Obviously, the "Ultimate" performance plan disables core parking entirely, making the processor ready to go at a moment's notice.
Sources
Related news
Apple reportedly plans HomeView smart home hub for November
China Mobile triples capacity at its Hohhot computing hub
WhatsApp tests scheduled messages with some Android beta users
Apple confirms October 13 launch focused on smart home products
A Windows 11 user moved a Steam library to Dev Drive to test game speeds
Apple may add Siri microphones and a speaker-equipped remote to Apple TV 4K
How to find Windows apps missing from the Start menu
Apple classifies the 2017 Apple TV 4K as vintage
Developer releases free, open-source alternatives to Microsoft Office apps
Tiny11 Builder redesign aims to simplify Windows 11 26H2 ISO creation
Google adds Samsung phone support to Googlebook’s Better Together features
