Set "Processor Performance Energy Preference Policy" in Windows 11?

Question

Hello together,

I am facing a minor problem after updating my Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th gen (2018) to Windows 11:

There is a problem that occurs occasionally with Thinkpads produced during that period, in which (from my lay understanding) the AC value for the Processor performance energy preference policy is not set correctly. Therefore Windows reads the value as 0, which - although being quite performant - causes high temperatures and especially a lot of fan noise even with super light loads, whenever plugged in.

(Background: Under Windows 10 I could observe a behavior where - once plugged in - the CPU clock would raise to it's max-sustained-clock and draw super high wattage, whenever exposed to light loads.)

I could fix this problem by manually setting the AC value for the three power schemes using powercfg (powercfg /setACvalueindex SCHEME_BALANCED SUB_PROCESSOR PERFEPP 33).

After upgrading to Windows 11 I again observe constant high clock, high power draw for basics tasks, and high CPU temps/fan spinning to max speed when performing basic tasks. The software ThrottleStop also shows me correct EPP values (178/153/84) when running on battery, but only shows EPP = 0 whenever plugged in (regardless of power mode selected in Settings).

When looking at the Overlays for the "Balanced" power plan in Windows 11 (using powercfg -queryprofile) I can see the three Power Setting GUIDs with the same GUID and Alias "Processor energy performance preference policy". The first one shows an AC value of 0x00000019 while the latter two show "UNKNOWN".

The command I used under Windows 10 does not seem to change anything in the overlay scheme as displayed by powercfg nor the actual behavior of my CPU. I'll post the complete -queryprofile output below.

I heard there were a lot of changes in Win 11's power management, unfortunately I am not proficient enough to find my way around this one on my own...

Does anyone know by chance the correct command to set the EPP value under Windows 11 or if there is a new mechanism I could manipulate to make my processor less performance oriented when plugged in?

Thank in advance!

Max

Powercfg -queryprofile Output:

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22631.4169]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\System32>powercfg -queryprofile
Power Scheme GUID: 381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e  (Balanced)
  GUID Alias: SCHEME_BALANCED
  Profile GUID: 0aabb002-a307-447e-9b81-1d819df6c6d0  (SustainedPerf)
    GUID Alias: PROFILE_SUSTAINEDPERF
    Power Setting GUID: 06cadf0e-64ed-448a-8927-ce7bf90eb35d  (Processor performance increase threshold)
      GUID Alias: PERFINCTHRESHOLD
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: 0x0000001e
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x0000001e

    Power Setting GUID: 12a0ab44-fe28-4fa9-b3bd-4b64f44960a6  (Processor performance decrease threshold)
      GUID Alias: PERFDECTHRESHOLD
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: 0x0000000a
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x0000000a

    Power Setting GUID: 36687f9e-e3a5-4dbf-b1dc-15eb381c6863  (Processor energy performance preference policy)
      GUID Alias: PERFEPP
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: 0x00000019
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000021

    Power Setting GUID: 465e1f50-b610-473a-ab58-00d1077dc418  (Processor performance increase policy)
      GUID Alias: PERFINCPOL
      Possible Setting Index: 000
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Ideal
      Possible Setting Index: 001
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Single
      Possible Setting Index: 002
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Rocket
      Possible Setting Index: 003
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: IdealAggressive
    Current AC Power Setting Index: 0x00000002
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000002

  Profile GUID: 8bc6262c-c026-411d-ae3b-7e2f70811a13  (Standby)
    GUID Alias: PROFILE_STANDBY
    Power Setting GUID: 0cc5b647-c1df-4637-891a-dec35c318583  (Processor performance core parking min cores)
      GUID Alias: CPMINCORES
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000032

    Power Setting GUID: 2430ab6f-a520-44a2-9601-f7f23b5134b1  (Processor performance core parking concurrency threshold)
      GUID Alias: CPCONCURRENCY
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000032

    Power Setting GUID: 2ddd5a84-5a71-437e-912a-db0b8c788732  (Processor performance core parking increase time)
      GUID Alias: CPINCREASETIME
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000001
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: Time check intervals
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000002

    Power Setting GUID: 36687f9e-e3a5-4dbf-b1dc-15eb381c6863  (Processor energy performance preference policy)
      GUID Alias: PERFEPP
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000064

    Power Setting GUID: be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7  (Processor performance boost mode)
      GUID Alias: PERFBOOSTMODE
      Possible Setting Index: 000
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Disabled
      Possible Setting Index: 001
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Enabled
      Possible Setting Index: 002
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Aggressive
      Possible Setting Index: 003
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Efficient Enabled
      Possible Setting Index: 004
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Efficient Aggressive
      Possible Setting Index: 005
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Aggressive At Guaranteed
      Possible Setting Index: 006
      Possible Setting Friendly Name: Efficient Aggressive At Guaranteed
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000000

    Power Setting GUID: dfd10d17-d5eb-45dd-877a-9a34ddd15c82  (Processor performance core parking decrease time)
      GUID Alias: CPDECREASETIME
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000001
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: Time check intervals
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000001

    Power Setting GUID: ea062031-0e34-4ff1-9b6d-eb1059334028  (Processor performance core parking max cores)
      GUID Alias: CPMAXCORES
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000064

    Power Setting GUID: f735a673-2066-4f80-a0c5-ddee0cf1bf5d  (Processor performance core parking concurrency headroom threshold)
      GUID Alias: CPHEADROOM
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x0000005a

  Profile GUID: a4a61b5f-f42c-4d23-b3ab-5c27df9f0f18  (EntryLevelPerf)
    GUID Alias: PROFILE_ENTRYLEVELPERF
    Power Setting GUID: 75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100  (Maximum processor frequency)
      GUID Alias: PROCFREQMAX
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0xffffffff
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: MHz
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x000005dc

  Profile GUID: ee1e4f72-e368-46b1-b3c6-5048b11c2dbd  (Constrained)
    GUID Alias: PROFILE_CONSTRAINED
    Power Setting GUID: 36687f9e-e3a5-4dbf-b1dc-15eb381c6863  (Processor energy performance preference policy)
      GUID Alias: PERFEPP
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000046

  Profile GUID: ee1e4f72-e368-46b1-b3c6-5048b11c2dbd  (Constrained)
    GUID Alias: PROFILE_CONSTRAINED
    Power Setting GUID: 36687f9e-e3a5-4dbf-b1dc-15eb381c6863  (Processor energy performance preference policy)
      GUID Alias: PERFEPP
      Minimum Possible Setting: 0x00000000
      Maximum Possible Setting: 0x00000064
      Possible Settings increment: 0x00000001
      Possible Settings units: %
    Current AC Power Setting Index: UNKNOWN
    Current DC Power Setting Index: 0x00000046

Answer 1

Hello and welcome to the Microsoft Community!

Based on your feedback, you are experiencing an incorrectly set AC value for the Processor Performance Energy Preference policy.

Windows reads the value as 0, but even with super light loads, this can lead to high temperatures and lots of fan noise!

You can try the following to set it

You can click the windows key to search and go to Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options.

In “Change Advanced Power Settings”, there is “Processor Power Management”.

There you can change the percentage settings for “Minimum Processor Status” and “Maximum Processor Status”.

If you are in Regedit, you can make the following changes

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\be337238-0d82-4146- a960-4f3749d470c7 and change the attribute value from 1 to 2

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry or workgroups is usually geared towards advanced users, administrators, and IT professionals, and it can help fix some problems, however, improper registry modifications can cause serious problems. Therefore, please make sure to follow the steps below strictly. For further protection, make a backup of the registry before modifying it. For more information on how to backup and restore the registry ref:https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows-855140ad-e318-2a13-2829-d428a2ab0692

Then in the “Processor Power Management” also appears “Processor Performance Enhancement Mode”, and then disable the mode, it seems that the temperature dropped significantly!

We hope you find the above information helpful!

Kirito|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Thank you for your reply.

Thank you very much for recognizing my method, let me provide you with further answers

To boost your computer's performance when needed, you can try the following methods:

Manually adjust the power plan: in Windows, you can set the high performance mode through the power options.

This will provide more processing power when needed.

Use performance optimization software:

Some software can help you boost performance when you need it.

For example, Intel or AMD's own tools

Please forgive me if I can't give you a clear description or recommendation because of who I am.

These tools allow you to quickly adjust the performance parameters of your CPU when needed.

If you are satisfied with my service, you can click “Yes” below.

This will bring this conversation to the attention of more people.

Provide comments or referrals to others who are experiencing similar problems!

I hope you're doing well and have a great day!

Kirito|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 3

Hey Kirito,

Thanks for your detailed answer!

Disabling the Processor Performance Enhancement Mode (kind of) solved my problem. With PPEM disabled the processor sticks to it's base clock, solving my heat/fan problem. Of course, this improvement comes at the price of slightly worse performance under heavy load. Not really a problem for me, since I do mostly office tasks.

If you (or anybody else) have another idea how to archive a setup in which the processor properly throttles under AC but still can boost to max performance if needed, I would be eager to experiment further, otherwise I am happy with this result.

Thank you very much in any case!