Maximize battery life of a Surface, Copilot+ PC

Surface, Copilot+ PCs go further on a single charge so you can stay productive all day from anywhere. You also benefit from fast recharging so that your Surface, Copilot+ PC stays up and running even longer.

Read this article to learn a few tips to help maximize the battery life in your Surface, Copilot+ PC.

Go further on a single charge

Whether you choose to work from a coffee shop or wrap up your project poolside with friends, know that you can get powerful performance that gets the job done, with a long battery life. Surface, Copilot+ PCs are equipped with all day battery life¹.

Surface Pro 11ᵗʰ Edition requires less downtime charging and provides more power with up to 14 hours of video playback and up to 10 hours of active web usage.^2 3

Surface Laptop 7ᵗʰ Edition offers up to 22 hours of video playback and up to 15 hours of active web usage.²

Features like Energy Saver help maximize battery life and reduce energy use, even when your device is plugged in.

Optimize power settings

One of the most effective ways to maximize the battery life of your Surface, Copilot+ PC is by optimizing its power settings. Here's how you can fine-tune power settings:

For Surface Pro and Surface Laptop:

• Adjust power mode:
  • Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
  • Use the power mode slider to select between “Best power efficiency,” “Balanced,” or “Best performance.”
• Modify power & sleep settings:
  • Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
  • Adjust the screen and sleep settings for both battery and plugged-in scenarios.
• Enable battery saver:
  • Select the Battery icon in the taskbar.
  • Select Battery settings and turn on Battery saver to automatically activate when the battery falls below a certain percentage.
• Update drivers and firmware:
  • Ensure your device is up to date by checking for updates. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
  • Keeping your device updated ensures it benefits from the latest power optimization features.
• Use energy recommendations:
  • Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Energy recommendations.
  • Apply all, or individually adjust settings like screen brightness, screen saver, and sleep timeouts.

For Surface Pro:

• Tablet mode optimization: Includes specific settings for optimizing power usage in tablet mode. To access, go to Start > Settings > System > Tablet.
• Performance profiles: Allows for switching between different performance profiles tailored for tablet and laptop modes.

For Surface Laptop:

• Power plan customization: Offers more detailed power plan customization options through Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Additional power settings.
• Battery life management: Features advanced battery life management settings, including options for battery health and longevity.

Manage background settings

Background applications can be a significant drain on your Surface device’s battery. Manage background applications in the following ways:

• Task Manager: Use Task Manager to identify and close unnecessary background applications. Copilot+ PC intelligence can highlight which apps are consuming the most power, allowing you to make informed decisions about which ones to close.
• Startup programs: Many applications are set to start automatically when your Surface boots up, which can slow down your device and drain battery life. You can manage startup programs by disabling non-essential applications from launching at startup.
• App notifications: Frequent notifications from various apps can also consume battery power. Manage app notifications to reduce the frequency of alerts and conserve battery life.

Use Battery Saver Mode

Battery Saver Mode is a built-in feature designed to maximize battery life by limiting background activity and adjusting settings. Enable and customize Battery Saver Mode in the following ways:

• Automatic activation: Set Battery Saver Mode to activate automatically when your battery reaches a certain percentage. This ensures that your Surface conserves power when it’s running low.
  
• Custom settings: Customize Battery Saver Mode settings to suit your needs. For example, you can choose to limit background activity, reduce screen brightness, and disable push notifications when Battery Saver Mode is active.

Regular maintenance and updates

Keeping your Surface device and its software up to date is essential for optimal battery performance. Regular maintenance tasks include:

• Software updates: Ensure your Surface is running the latest software updates. These updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can help maximize battery life. Copilot+ PC intelligence can notify you of available updates and help you install them.
• Battery health monitoring: Copilot+ PC intelligence can monitor your battery’s health and provide insights into its performance. This information can help you identify when it might be time to replace your battery or take other actions to maintain its longevity.
• Cleaning and optimization: Regularly clean your Surface’s hardware and optimize its software. Copilot+ PCs intelligence can guide you through cleaning procedures and recommend optimization tools to keep your device running efficiently.

Ready when you need it

Maximizing the battery life of your Surface, Copilot+ PC is essential for staying productive and connected throughout the day. Adjusting power settings, managing background applications, utilizing Battery Saver Mode, and performing regular maintenance helps maximize your device’s battery life. With these practical tips, you can ensure your Surface, Copilot+ PC is always ready to go anytime you need it.