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"Reserve battery level" what does it do?

Anonymous
2009-10-02T00:39:31+00:00

This is not a problem. but a question, searching through forums and search engines that I have not been able to find the answer to.

in windows 7, what exactly happens when the "Reserve battery level" kicks in?

you can get to it if you go to advanced power option, and open the battery menu.

does it actually do anything to reserve power when the battery gets this low, or is it just a warning to let you know your about to run out of power?

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-10-02T13:06:13+00:00

    Yes, it's a warning to save data to prepare for a forced shutdown. Documents in production are in danger of being lost. Many Word Processors will autobackup now and then for this reason.

    Rating posts helps other usersMark L. Ferguson MS-MVP

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-08-31T20:03:51+00:00

    No, it's different - "low power" is typically just a warning level.   Reserve power means programs and the OS are prompted to begin saving to save program and system data, and/or switch to additional battery.

    Also, this allows you to choose to perform some action before you get to "critical" battery level.  at reserve power level (think of this as the 2 or 3 gallon "reserve" in your gas tank on your car, most of us never use, but is there in case we reach "E" and still need to get to the nearest gas station).  Example, at reserve power level go into "sleep" mode, then at critical power level go to hibernation mode.

    And, at "reserve power", Windows 7 automatically presents with another popup unless the user disables this.  So this serves at an additional reminder before reaching "critical" .  Since most people are somewhat conditioned to ignore or brush off the "low power" warning.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-07-20T17:39:21+00:00

    Just wanted to say that BRIANGUY really answered this question well. I appreciate the gas tank medaphor, that made it make perfect sence for me.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-22T03:38:41+00:00

    And, at "reserve power", Windows 7 automatically presents with another popup unless the user disables this.  So this serves at an additional reminder before reaching "critical" .  Since most people are somewhat conditioned to ignore or brush off the "low power" warning.

    There's no action for reserve power in my Windows 7 Professional SP1, neither an option to disable a pop up or any other notification.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-03-09T01:22:51+00:00

    But that makes "reserve battery level" be exactly the exactly same thing as "low battery level". But Windows 7 has both items listed (as well as "Critical battery level".) Microsoft wouldn't do something redundant, would they?

    The word "Reserve" makes it sound like it's some sort reduced-energy mode. Anyone know? Microsoft does not (visibly) document the feature.

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