Getting the Most Out of Your Battery (PC)

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Using Your Battery

When the external power adapter is not connected, your computer draws power from its internal battery. The length of time that you can run your laptop depends on what you are doing on your PC. Turning off features such as wireless technology and bluetooth can help conserve battery charge, so can limiting the number of applications you have running.

Battery Icon on Menu

Batery Icon.PNG

On all PC's, you can also see the percentage of your remaining battery life by hovering over the battery icon near the bottom right hand of your screen.

Charging a battery when the power adapter is connected to your computer, the battery recharges whether the computer is off, on, or in sleep. However, the battery recharges more quickly if the computer is off or in sleep. When the computer is on, you can adjust the battery settings by clicking on the battery status icon and selecting the 'More power options'. The first choice in this menu is the 'Balanced Power' option which will let you set features for both when the laptop is pulled in or running off of battery and is typically recommended for most users. The 'Power Saver' option allows you to turn off a few more features and functions that can save you even more battery life.

The battery charge level displayed is based on the amount of power left in the battery with the applications, peripheral devices, and system settings (i.e. mostly your display brightness) you are currently using. To conserve battery power, it is highly recommended to go into the Adjust screen brightness setting and lower the brightness of your laptop screen.

Battery Conservation Tips

The amount of work time your laptop battery can provide before you need to recharge depends on the applications and peripheral devices you’re currently using and the steps you take to conserve power while you work. For the best conservation of battery power, do the following:

  • Disconnect bus-powered USB devices when they are not in use.
  • Quit open applications that you are not using.
  • Turn off wireless or Bluetooth wireless when they are not in use.
  • Disconnect CD and DVD player when they are not in use.
  • Reduce screen brightness.
  • Set your laptop to sleep after inactivity of five minutes or less.


For more tips on conserving battery life see the 'Tell me more about power plans' links within the 'Power Options' menu.



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