Powercfg

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PowerCFG
A component of Microsoft Windows
Details
Type	Command-line utility
Included with	Windows XP SP2 Windows Vista Windows Server 2008 Windows 7
Related components
Windows PowerShell Batch file Command Prompt

PowerCFG (executable name powercfg.exe) is a command-line utility that is used from an elevated Command Prompt to control all configurable power system settings, including hardware-specific configurations that are not configurable through the Control Panel, on a per-user basis. It was first introduced by Microsoft in Windows XP SP2 in 2003.^[1]^[2]

Usage

Powercfg must be run from an elevated command prompt, and, under Windows XP, it requires workstation Administrator or power user rights. Power Schemes are configured on a per-user basis. The most common cause of problems with power saving and hibernation on Windows systems is an incompatible device driver. This can be diagnosed by disabling each device in turn (with powercfg /devicedisablewake). When activating power saving across a local area network, it is important to ensure that software updates, security patches and antivirus updates in particular, are not disrupted. Microsoft recommends to configure its Windows Server Update Services to install updates when workstations are available and Windows Task Scheduler can be set to wake the machine when needed.

Syntax

XP POWERCFG [/LIST | /QUERY [name] | /CREATE name | /DELETE name | /SETACTIVE name | /CHANGE name settings | /HIBERNATE {ON|OFF} | /NUMERICAL int | /EXPORT name [/FILE filename] | /IMPORT name [/FILE filename] | /GLOBALPOWERFLAG {ON|OFF} /OPTION flag | /BATTERYALARM {LOW|CRITICAL} [settings] | /DEVICEQUERY flagquery | /DEVICEENABLEWAKE devicename | /DEVICEDISABLEWAKE devicename | /?]

Vista, Server 2008, 7 powercfg [/l[ist]] [/q[uery] [Scheme_GUID] [Sub_GUID]] ] [/x setting value] [/changename GUID name [scheme_description]] [/duplicatescheme GUID [DestinationGUID]] [/d[elete] GUID] [/deletesetting Sub_GUID Setting_GUID] [/s[etactive] Scheme_GUID] [/getactivescheme] [/setacvalueindex Scheme_GUID Sub_GUID Setting_GUID SettingIndex] [/setdcvalueindex Scheme_GUID Sub_GUID Setting_GUID SettingIndex] [/h[ibernate] [on|off]] [/a[vailablesleepstates]] [/devicequery query_flags] [/deviceenablewake devicename] [/devicedisablewake devicename] [/import filename [GUID]] [/export filename [GUID]] [/lastwake] [/aliases] [/setsecuritydescriptor [GUID|Action] SDDL] [/getsecuritydescriptor [GUID|Action]] [/requests] [/requestsoverride Caller_type Name Request] [/energy [/output filename] [/xml] [/duration seconds] [/trace [/d filepath]] [/waketimers] [/?]

XP	`POWERCFG [/LIST \| /QUERY [name] \| /CREATE name \| /DELETE name \| /SETACTIVE name \| /CHANGE name settings \| /HIBERNATE {ON\|OFF} \| /NUMERICAL int \| /EXPORT name [/FILE filename] \| /IMPORT name [/FILE filename] \| /GLOBALPOWERFLAG {ON\|OFF} /OPTION flag \| /BATTERYALARM {LOW\|CRITICAL} [settings] \| /DEVICEQUERY flagquery \| /DEVICEENABLEWAKE devicename \| /DEVICEDISABLEWAKE devicename \| /?]`
Vista, Server 2008, 7	powercfg [/l[ist]] [/q[uery] [Scheme_GUID] [Sub_GUID]] ] [/x setting value] [/changename GUID name [scheme_description]] [/duplicatescheme GUID [DestinationGUID]] [/d[elete] GUID] [/deletesetting Sub_GUID Setting_GUID] [/s[etactive] Scheme_GUID] [/getactivescheme] [/setacvalueindex Scheme_GUID Sub_GUID Setting_GUID SettingIndex] [/setdcvalueindex Scheme_GUID Sub_GUID Setting_GUID SettingIndex] [/h[ibernate] [on\|off]] [/a[vailablesleepstates]] [/devicequery query_flags] [/deviceenablewake devicename] [/devicedisablewake devicename] [/import filename [GUID]] [/export filename [GUID]] [/lastwake] [/aliases] [/setsecuritydescriptor [GUID\|Action] SDDL] [/getsecuritydescriptor [GUID\|Action]] [/requests] [/requestsoverride Caller_type Name Request] [/energy [/output filename] [/xml] [/duration seconds] [/trace [/d filepath]] [/waketimers] [/?]

Parameters

Parameter Description XP Other OSs

0l !/l[ist] 01 !Lists all power schemes in the current user's environment. 01 !Yes 01 !Yes

/q[uery] [scheme_name] (XP)
/q[uery] [Scheme_GUID] [Sub_GUID]

Displays the contents of the specified power scheme.

`scheme_name SCHEME_GUID`	(Optional) Specifies the `scheme_name`/`GUID` of the power scheme to display. `GUID` can be obtained by using the `powercfg /l` command.
`SUB_GUID`	(Optional) Specifies the `GUID` of the subgroup to display. Requires a `SCHEME_GUID` to be provided. If neither `SCHEME_GUID` or `SUB_GUID` are provided, the settings of the current user's active power scheme are displayed. If `SUB_GUID` is not specified, all settings in the specified power scheme are displayed.

Yes

create !/c[reate] scheme_name 03 !Creates a power scheme with the specified scheme_name. 03 !Yes zz !No

/change setting value
/x setting value

Modifies a setting value in the current power scheme.

setting

Specifies one of the following settings:

///monitor-timeout-ac minutes
//monitor-timeout-dc minutes
//disk-timeout-ac minutes
//disk-timeout-dc minutes
//standby-timeout-ac minutes
//standby-timeout-dc minutes
//hibernate-timeout-ac minutes
//hibernate-timeout-dc minutes
/processor-throttle-ac throttle
/processor-throttle-dc throttle

value Specifies the value in minutes.

AC settings are used when the system is on AC power. DC settings on battery power.
Setting any value to 0 will set the timeout=Never
throttle = NONE, CONSTANT, DEGRADE, or ADAPTIVE.

Yes

/changename GUID PowerSchemeName [scheme_description]

Modifies the name of a power scheme and, optionally, the scheme description.

Value	Description
`GUID`	Specifies the GUID of the power scheme
`name`	Specifies the name of the power scheme.
`scheme_description`	Describes the power scheme.
If the description is omitted, then only the name will be changed.

Yes

/duplicatescheme GUID [DestinationGUID]

Duplicates the specified power scheme. The resulting GUID which represents the new scheme will be displayed.

Value	Description
`GUID`	Specifies a scheme `GUID`. Obtained by using the `powercfg /l` command.
`DestinationGUID`	Specifies the `GUID` where the scheme will be copied.
If `<DestinationGUID>` is omitted, then a new GUID will be created for the duplicated scheme.

Yes

/d[elete] scheme_name
/d[elete] GUID

Deletes the power scheme with the specified GUID.

scheme_name GUID Specifies the scheme_name/GUID of the scheme. GUID can be obtained by using the powercfg /l command.

Yes

/deletesetting Sub_GUID Setting_GUID

Deletes a power setting.

Value	Description
`Sub_GUID`	Specifies the subgroup `GUID`.
`Setting_GUID`	Specifies the power setting `GUID`.

Yes

/s[etactive] scheme_name
-s[etactive] Scheme_GUID

Makes the specified power scheme active on the computer.

scheme_name Scheme_GUID Specifies the scheme GUID.

Yes

getactivescheme !/getactivescheme 10 !Retrieves the currently active power scheme. zz !No 09 !Yes

/setacvalueindex Scheme_GUID Sub_GUID Setting_GUID SettingIndex

Sets a value associated with a specified power setting while the computer is powered by AC power.

Value	Description
`Scheme_GUID`	Specifies a power scheme GUID. Obtained by using the `powercfg /l` command.
`Sub_GUID`	Specifies a subgroup of power setting GUID. Obtained by using the `powercfg /q` command.
`Setting_GUID`	Specifies an individual power setting GUID. Obtained by using the `powercfg /q` command.
`SettingIndex'`	Specifies which of the list of possible values this power setting will be set to.
Use the `/l` and `/q` options to discover the `GUID`s

Yes

/setdcvalueindex Scheme_GUID Sub_GUID Setting_GUID SettingIndex

Sets a value associated with a specified power setting while the computer is powered by DC power.

Value	Description
`Scheme_GUID`	Specifies a power scheme GUID. Obtained by using the `powercfg /l` command.
`Sub_GUID`	Specifies a subgroup of power setting `GUID`. Obtained by using the `powercfg /q` command.
`Setting_GUID`	Specifies an individual power setting`GUID`. Obtained by using the `powercfg /q` command.
`SettingIndex`	Specifies which of the list of possible values this power setting will be set to.

Yes

h !/h[ibernate] [on|off] 13 !Enables or disables the hibernate feature. Hibernate timeout is not supported on all computers. 09 !Yes 12 !Yes

n !/n[umerical] 14 !Specify the power scheme to be operated upon with a numerical identifier.
This switch allows a number to be used in place of the scheme_name in the following commands: /QUERY, /DELETE, /SETACTIVE, /CHANGE, /EXPORT, and /IMPORT 10 !Yes zz !No

/g[lobalpowerflag] [on|off]]

Turn one of the following global power flags on or off:

`BatteryIcon`	Turn the battery meter icon in the system tray on/off.
`MultiBattery`	Turns on/off multiple battery display in system Power Meter.
`ResumePassword`	Prompt for password on resuming the system.
`WakeOnRing`	Turn on/off wake on ring support.
`VideoDim`	Turn on/off support for dimming video display on battery power.

Yes

/b[atteryalarm] [low|critical] [settings]

Configure the battery alarm.
Settings:

`/activate [on\|off]`	Enable or disable the alarm.
`/level [percentage (0 – 100)]`	The alarm will be activated when the power level reaches this percentage.
`/text [on\|off]`	Turns the text notification on or off.
`/sound [on\|off]`	Turns the audible notification on or off.
`/action [none\|shutdown\|hibernate\|standby]`	Specifies the action to take when this alarm goes off. Not all actions are always available.
`/forceaction [on\|off]`	Force stand by or shutdown even if a program stops responding.
`/program [on\|off]`	Specifies a program to run. `schtasks.exe /change` may be used to configure the program.

Yes

a !/a[vailablesleepstates] 17 !Reports the sleep states available on the computer. Attempts to report reasons why sleep states are unavailable. 10 !Yes 12 !Yes

/devicequery [query_flags]]

Returns a list of devices that meet the specified flags:

`wake_from_S1_supported`	Returns all devices that support waking the computer from a light sleep state.
`wake_from_S2_supported`	Returns all devices that support waking the computer from a deeper sleep state.
`wake_from_S3_supported`	Returns all devices that support waking the computer from the deepest sleep state.
`wake_from_any`	Returns all devices that support waking the computer from any sleep state.
`S1_supported`	Lists devices supporting light sleep.
`S2_supported`	Lists devices supporting deeper sleep.
`S3_supported`	Lists devices supporting deepest sleep.
`S4_supported`	Lists devices supporting hibernation.
`wake_programmable`	Lists devices that are user/configurable to wake the computer from a sleep state.
`wake_armed`	Lists devices that are currently configured to wake the computer from any sleep state.
`all_devices`	Returns all devices present in the computer.
`all_devices_verbose`	Returns a verbose list of devices.

Yes

/deviceenablewake devicename

Enables the device to wake the computer from a sleep state.

devicename Specifies a device retrieved by using the powercfg /devicequery wake_programmable command.

Yes

/devicedisablewake <devicename>

Disables the device from waking the computer from a sleep state.

devicename Specifies a device retrieved by using the powercfg /devicequery wake_armed command.

Yes

/import scheme_name [/FILE filename]
-import filename [GUID]

Imports all power settings from the specified file.

`filename`	Specifies a fully qualified path to a file generated by using the `powercfg /export` command-line option.
`'GUID`	(optional) Represents the settings loaded into a power scheme. If not supplied, Powercfg will generate and use a new GUID

Yes

/export scheme_name [/FILE filename]
-export filename [GUID]

Exports a power scheme, represented by the specified GUID, to the specified file.

`filename`	Specifies a fully qualified path to a destination file.
`GUID`	Specifies a power scheme GUID. Obtained by using the `/l` command-line option.

Yes

lastwake !/lastwake 21 !Reports information about the event that woke the computer from the last sleep transition. zz !No 19 !Yes

aliases !/aliases 22 !Displays all aliases and their corresponding GUIDs. The user may use these aliases in place of any GUID at the command prompt zz !No 20 !Yes

/setsecruitydescriptor [GUID|Action] SDDL

Sets a security descriptor associated with a specified power setting, power scheme, or action.

`GUID`	Specifies a power scheme or a power setting GUID.
`Action`	Specifies one of the following strings: `ActionSetActive`, `ActionCreate`, `ActionDefault`
`SDDL`	Specifies a valid security descriptor string in SDD format. Use `powercfg /getsecuritydescriptor` to see an example SDDL STRING.

Yes

/getsecuritydescriptor [GUID|<Action>]

Gets a security descriptor associated with a specified power setting, power scheme, or action.

`GUID`	Specifies a power scheme or a power setting GUID.
`<Action>`	Specifies one of the following strings: `ActionSetActive`, `ActionCreate`, `ActionDefault`

Yes

requests !/requests 25 !Enumerate application and driver Power Requests. Power requests prevent the computer from automatically powering off the display or entering a low-power sleep mode. zz !No 23 !Yes

/requestsoverride Caller_type Name Request

Sets a Power Request override for a particular Process, Service, or Driver. If no parameters are specified, this command displays the current list of Power Request Overrides.

Value	Description
`Caller_type`	Specifies one of the following caller types: PROCESS, SERVICE, DRIVER. This is obtained by calling the `powercfg /requests` command.
`Name`	Specifies the caller name. This is the name returned from calling `powercfg /requests` command.
`Request`	Specifies one or more of the following Power Request Types: `Display`, `System`, `Awaymode`.

Yes

/energy

Analyzes the system for common energy-efficiency and battery life problems. The /energy command should be used when the computer is idle and with no open programs or documents. The /energy command will generate an HTML report file in the current path. Windows7 only.

{{|

Value Description

/output filename Specifies the path and filename to store the energy report HTML file (default="energy-report.html").

/xml Formats the report file as XML.

/trace Records system behavior and does not perform analysis. Trace files will be generated in the current path unless the /d parameter is specified.

/d filepath Specifies the directory to store trace data. May only be used with the /trace parameter.

/duration <seconds> Specifies the number of seconds to observe system behavior. Default is 60 seconds

No 7 only /waketimers Enumerates the active wake timers. If enabled, the expiration of a wake timer wakes the system from sleep and hibernate states. No Yes

/help
/?

Displays Help at the command prompt. Yes Yes

Power scheme GUIDs

The use of GUIDs avoids any problems with internationalisation when applying Power Saving to non-English versions of Windows. The three built-in power schemes have the GUIDs listed below:

SCHEME_MAX = Power saver (Max power saving)
SCHEME_BALANCED = Balanced (Typical)
SCHEME_MIN = High performance (Min power saving)

Examples

Lists all power schemes

powercfg /l

List all Aliases

powercfg -aliases

Retrieve the currently active power scheme

powercfg -getactivescheme

Set the Monitor and disc timeouts for the current Power saver scheme

powercfg -Change -monitor-timeout-ac 20
powercfg -Change -disk-timeout-ac 30

Enable the mouse to wake from sleep

powercfg -deviceEnableWake "Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Explorer"

Set the 'Power saver' scheme

powercfg -SETACTIVE SCHEME_MAX

Create a Custom Power scheme and set it as active

Set _Custom_Power=B1234567-SS64-SS64-SS64-F00000111AAA
powercfg -DUPLICATESCHEME SCHEME_MAX %_Custom_Power%
powercfg -CHANGENAME %_Custom_Power% "SS64 Power Scheme "
powercfg -SETACTIVE %_Custom_Power%

Disable the sleep button (for the users current power scheme)

For /f "tokens=2 delims=:(" %%G in ('powercfg -getActiveScheme') do (
  powercfg -setAcValueIndex %%G sub_buttons sButtonAction 0
  powercfg -setActive %%G
)

Disable the sleep button (for all available power schemes)

For /f "skip=2 tokens=2,4 delims=:()" %%G in ('powercfg -list') do (
  powercfg -setAcValueIndex %%G sub_buttons sButtonAction 0
  if "%%H" == " *" powercfg -setActive %%G
)

References

↑ "PowerCFG (Windows XP SP2/2003)". SS64.com.
↑ "PowerCFG (Vista/Windows7/Server 2008)". SS64.com.

External links

"Powercfg" (ASPX). Microsoft. 17 April 2012.
"How to use Powercfg.exe to create a Group Policy object for power schemes in Windows XP". Microsoft. 12 April 2012.

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