How to Set the Default Power Plan
Updated: May 31, 2012
Applies To: Windows 8, Windows Server 2012
Use these instructions to set a default power plan when deploying Windows® 8 or Windows Server® 2012 PCs. A power plan is also known as a power scheme.
To modify a power plans on your own PC, see Power Plans in Windows 8.
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On your technician computer, open an elevated command prompt.
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If you want to use a power plan from another computer, import the power plan.
For example, to import a power plan that is named OutdoorPlan, type the following at a command prompt:
powercfg -IMPORT C:\OutdoorPlan.pow
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Type the following to find the GUID for all the power plans on the computer:
powercfg -LIST
The computer returns the list of available power plans. The following examples refer to these plans as guidPlan1 and guidPlan2.
Existing Power Schemes (* Active) ----------------------------------- Power Scheme GUID: {guidPlan1} (Balanced) * Power Scheme GUID: {guidPlan2} (Power saver) -
Note the GUIDs that are listed next to the power plans that you want to change.
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Set the power plan that you want to set as the default as the active power plan. For example, you can use the following command:
powercfg -SETACTIVE {guidPlan2}where guidPlan2 is the name of the power plan.
This command can be run by using a custom command in an answer file, or by opening an elevated command prompt in audit mode.
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Click Start, and then select Control Panel.
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Click Hardware and Sound, and then select Power Options.
The Power Options Control Panel opens, and the power plans appear.
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Review each power plan.
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Verify that the correct plan is set as the active power plan. The computer shows an asterisk (*) next to the active power plan.
