CPU Throttling, or dynamic frequency scaling, is a technique implemented in most operating systems, including the latest Windows 11, to adjust the clock speed of the processor dynamically. It’s a power-saving feature that helps manage the device’s energy use and heat generation. While this throttling may be beneficial in terms of energy efficiency and longevity of hardware, it might limit system performance, leading to slowdowns. This limitation may be problematic for power users and gamers who need the utmost performance from their PCs. Hence, disabling CPU throttling can be a potential solution.
This article will guide you through different methods to disable CPU throttling in Windows 11. Each method employs a different mechanism within the system to achieve the same goal, providing flexibility based on user preferences, system privileges, and comfort level with advanced system modifications.
Please note: Disabling CPU throttling can increase energy consumption and potential overheating risks. Proceed with caution and at your own risk.
Linked issue: Why is my CPU Overheating and How to Fix it
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Method 1: Modify Power Plan Settings
Windows allows users to adjust power settings according to their requirements. This is done via different power plans, each offering a balance between performance and power consumption. The “High Performance” plan minimizes power-saving mechanisms, including CPU throttling, to give the best performance. Additionally, adjusting the minimum processor state to 100% ensures the CPU runs at its maximum capacity.
Also see: How to Limit CPU Usage of a Process in Windows 11
Step 1: Access Power Options
Accessing the power options requires a few simple steps in Windows 11:
- Click on the Start menu, search for “Control Panel,” and open it.
- In the Control Panel, change “View by:” to “Small icons” or “Large icons“(from the default Category view) to display all Control Panel items.
- Locate and click on Power Options.
Step 2: Choose a Power Plan
Power plans allow you to manage the trade-off between system performance and energy consumption:
- You will see multiple power plans. Typically, these would be Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance.
- Select “High Performance“. This plan minimizes power-saving restrictions to deliver better performance.
Step 3: Modify Power Plan Settings
The power plan settings can be further fine-tuned to your requirements:
- Click on “Change plan settings” next to the High Performance plan.
- In the subsequent window, click on “Change advanced power settings“.
Step 4: Adjust Processor Power Management
Processor Power Management settings directly control how CPU throttling is applied:
- In the Power Options dialog box, locate Processor power management and click on the plus sign to expand it.
- Here, you will find Minimum processor state and Maximum processor state. Set both of these to 100%, indicating that the processor should always be running at full capacity.
Step 5: Apply Changes
Once the changes have been made, you need to apply them to your power plan settings:
- Click on Apply and then OK to save your changes.
Method 2: Disabling CPU Throttling Per Process in Task Manager
The Task Manager in Windows provides control over each running process. You can use this tool to identify which processes are being throttled and selectively disable throttling for individual processes.
Useful tip: How to Set Process CPU Affinity or Priority Permanently in Windows 11/10
Step 1: Enabling Power Throttling Column in Task Manager
To see which processes are being throttled:
- Open Task Manager (right-click on the taskbar and choose Task Manager, or use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut).
- Navigate to the “Details” tab.
- Enable the Power Throttling column by right-clicking on the column header and choosing “Select columns“.
- Then, check the “Power Throttling” option.
- This allows you to see the power throttling status for each process.
Step 2: Adjust Process Priority
Adjusting a process’s priority can help disable CPU throttling for that process:
- To disable CPU throttling for a specific process, find the process in the list, right-click on it, and select Set priority.
- Choose Normal or any option above it. This assigns a higher priority to the process, indicating to the system that this process should be allowed to consume more resources, effectively reducing or disabling CPU throttling for it.
Method 3: Turn off Power Throttling via Group Policy Editor
Group Policy Editor is a management console in Windows that allows you to configure many system settings such as disabling the CPU throttling feature. However, it is typically only available in professional or enterprise editions of Windows.
Related resource: Game Lag When Watching YouTube or Twitch on Chrome
Step 1: Open Group Policy Editor
Group Policy Editor can be accessed via the Run dialog:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to Power Throttling Settings
The Group Policy Editor is organized hierarchically. You need to navigate through this hierarchy to reach the Power Throttling settings:
- Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Power Management -> Power Throttling Settings.
- Double click on Turn off Power Throttling.
Step 3: Disable Power Throttling
Now, you need to change the setting to disable Power Throttling:
- In the dialog box, select Enabled. Despite the naming, this “enables” the turning “off” of power throttling.
- Click on Apply and then OK.
Method 4: Disabling CPU Throttling using Registry Editor
Registry Editor is a tool that allows users to view and change settings in the system registry, a database that stores configuration settings for Windows. This method is typically used by users who don’t have access to Group Policy Editor. Be careful while using the Registry Editor as incorrect changes can cause serious system issues. It is highly recommended to create a system restore point before modifying the registry.
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Access the Registry Editor through the Run command:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to Power Throttling Key
The Registry Editor also has a hierarchical structure. Navigate to the Power Throttling key:
- Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerThrottling. - If the PowerThrottling key is not present, create it. Right-click on the Power key, select New, then Key, and name it PowerThrottling.
Step 3: Modify or Create a New Value
Next, you will modify a value under the Power Throttling key:
- On the right side, find PowerThrottlingOff. If it does not exist, create a new DWORD value with this name.
- Double-click on PowerThrottlingOff, set the Value data field to 1, and click OK. This changes the value of PowerThrottlingOff, signaling to the system that power throttling should be disabled.
Step 4: Close Registry Editor and Restart
Finally, you need to apply the changes:
- Close the Registry Editor.
- To let the changes take effect, restart your system.
These methods offer different ways to disable CPU throttling based on user requirements, system privileges, and comfort level with system modifications. By controlling CPU throttling, you can prioritize performance over power efficiency, a choice that power users might find useful.
The bottom line
Remember to monitor your system closely for any unexpected behavior or performance issues. If you notice any problems, re-enable CPU throttling by reversing the changes made in this guide. CPU throttling is there for a reason – to prevent overheating and to prolong the lifespan of your hardware. If you choose to disable it, make sure you have an adequate cooling solution in place to prevent overheating.
Disabling CPU throttling is a trade-off. You gain more immediate CPU performance at the potential cost of increased power consumption and heat production. Always ensure your hardware is capable of handling the increased load and heat to prevent damage.
