Many users find that Windows laptops often struggle with battery longevity. A contributing factor is the presence of numerous unnecessary background services running on the operating system. By disabling a selection of these services, you can reclaim significant battery life without compromising your day-to-day activities.
To begin the process of disabling these services, type “services”in the Start Menu to access the Services utility. Locate the desired service, double-click it, click Stop if it’s currently running, and change the Startup type to Disabled. Don’t forget to restart your computer to apply these changes.
7 Windows Search Indexer
The Windows Search Indexer, also referred to as searchindexer.exe in Task Manager, is a primary candidate for disabling in your quest for extended battery life. This background service facilitates file and folder searches on your PC. While it may appear necessary, the constant running of this service consumes CPU resources and battery power without significantly speeding up search processes.
Often disregarding your power management settings, the service can quickly drain battery life and might lead to unexpected performance issues, particularly when running on battery. By disabling the Search Indexer, the only notable change will be the loss of the Windows search feature, but efficient alternatives such as Agent Ransack or Everything can offer similar functionality without the associated resource overhead.
6 Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) helps download and install updates while you work, ideally using idle network bandwidth. However, it runs continuously in the background and can lead to intermittent battery consumption along with a drain on CPU and storage resources.
Disabling BITS can have a negligible effect on your system’s performance since you can manually handle Windows updates instead. This approach may actually be beneficial, considering that unplanned updates can disrupt your workflow. In addition to saving battery life, you might notice that your CPU performs more efficiently, as BITS can consume around 8–10% of CPU resources during active use.
5 Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Windows 11 tirelessly collects user data through the Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service, which tracks system events, app usage, and performance metrics. While this information aids Microsoft in improving the operating system, it also uses valuable system resources.
By disabling this service, not only can you safeguard your privacy, but you also reduce the overall power consumption of your PC. Although this change may not produce immediate results, the cumulative effect can be advantageous during extended battery use.
4 Program Compatibility Assistant Service
The Program Compatibility Assistant Service analyzes applications for compatibility issues, consuming valuable CPU and power in the process. While this service might sound important, it rarely proves effective for outdated applications.
If you’re not dealing with outdated programs, you’re unlikely to need this service. Disabling it will not hinder your daily usage; a better alternative is to run virtual machines for older applications if necessary.
3 Windows Error Reporting
Windows Error Reporting collects and sends data about crashes and errors. Although it doesn’t continuously run, it can demand up to 10% of CPU resources while monitoring errors, impacting battery life when active.
Sensitive data can be included in these reports, so deactivating this feature may be advisable for privacy-conscious users. Overall, disabling Windows Error Reporting won’t diminish daily PC activity but could contribute to slight battery savings, especially when troubleshooting issues on the go.
2 Windows Update Medic Service
The Windows Update Medic Service (WaaSMedic) ensures that Windows updates proceed smoothly by working alongside BITS. Although it plays a critical role in maintaining system updates, it can exacerbate the performance impact caused by BITS.
This service may activate unexpectedly, leading to unwanted CPU load and reduced battery longevity. If BITS is already disabled, deactivating WaaSMedic will not cause any issues. It’s prudent to re-enable both services only when you need to perform system updates, preferably while plugged in to avoid any inconvenience.
1 Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service
The Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service runs by default but may not be necessary unless you are using a stylus, drawing tablet, or similar device. While the amount of battery consumed is minimal, it’s prudent to disable unnecessary processes, especially when running on battery power.
Disabling this service won’t lead to drastic improvements in battery life, but it can contribute to overall system efficiency, particularly on older devices. However, if your laptop features a touchscreen, it’s wise to keep this service enabled to support that functionality.
In my experience, disabling these services can extend battery life by 45 minutes to an hour, though results will vary based on individual factors such as battery health and hardware performance. For new installations, I recommend disabling these unnecessary settings and removing any excess Windows 11 bloatware. The whole process takes just a few minutes, and the performance and efficiency benefits are well worth the small effort.
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