PowerPlanSwitcher is a handy tool for changing your PC's power settings on the fly

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
published

If you're on the lookout for something to help you manage your PC's power plans, you might want to check out a handy little utility called PowerPlanSwitcher (opens in new tab). Available on the Windows Store, PowerPlanSwitcher can help you quickly alter your Power settings on the fly.

A Project Centennial conversion, the app itself is pretty spartan, living as a simple icon resembling a plug in your Windows 10 System Tray. Clicking on the icon gives you quick access to Windows 10's default power states (Balanced, High Performance, and Power Saver), something that requires a bit of fiddling with Settings menus otherwise.

You can also use the app's flyout to select power schemas to automatically switch between when your PC is connected to or disconnected from power. And if the default power schemas aren't your style, the app is compatible with custom power plans, so you can eschew the defaults should you choose.

It's a pretty simple app, but it's incredibly handy if you just want to save a couple of clicks and switch power plans on the fly. Perhaps more importantly, it restores a function to the System Tray that was present in previous versions of Windows. If you're curious, you can grab PowerPlanSwitcher now for free on the Windows Store.

Thanks to Philip V. for the tip!

Download PowerPlanSwitcher from the Windows Store (opens in new tab)

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

4 Comments
  • Nice. Stashed on the reading list for when I get home at the weekend. I've been wanting something like this for a while and meaning to have a search. Yet again WC does the thinking for me. Ta folks!
  • These settings used to exist and should still be there. I know they are only hidden and can be turned on from registry, but that messes with Sleep and Hibernation. In my last Fast Ring update, I had the new slider to adjust CPU throttle and related performance settings on the go, but the option is gone again. Actually I find the latest update a bit unstable as well.
  • After the fall creators update it won't be relevant cuz it will be built into the system.
  • Whilst that would be grand, where MS is concerned I don't want to count my chickens. Also, this option used to be present on the power tray icon. That icon only shows in the tray on laptops etc. though, so it was never available on my desktop PC (and could not be enabled in the settings either as it was greyed out if no battery is connected) so if it returns, I doubt it will be present on desktop PCs which is where I want it. This utility will quite possibly remain relevant. Why not just set desktops to full power? Heat and OC of course. I don't want my pumps and fans on full blast all the time.