windows 11

Windows 11 May Introduce Smart Feature to Cut Energy Costs and Save Money

Windows 11 is reportedly testing a new feature that provides users with information about the power consumption of their desktop PC on a daily basis. This feature also includes per-app power usage data, allowing users to identify energy-intensive applications.

The feature was discovered in the latest preview build of Windows 11 from the Dev channel by Twitter user PhantomOfEarth, who used ViVeTool, a Windows configuration utility, to uncover hidden functionalities that are not yet enabled by Microsoft.

Although the feature is still in an early and incomplete stage, build 23506 of Windows 11 introduces changes to the Battery Usage panel, renaming it to Energy (& Battery) Usage. This modification means that the power usage data will not only be relevant for laptops and battery levels but also for desktop PCs.

The Energy Usage panel will display data on the energy consumption of the Windows 11 PC, breaking it down into individual apps. This allows users to identify energy-hungry software on their systems easily. Users with desktop computers will be able to see energy usage data, while laptop users can switch between energy usage and battery level information.

In addition to per-app power usage data, Microsoft plans to provide overall energy use and emissions data. However, this part of the feature seems to be a work in progress, as placeholder readings are currently displayed.

As with any preview feature, it is essential to note that the functionality is not yet fully developed and might undergo changes and improvements before its official release in future Windows 11 updates.