Majority of netbook, notebook, and tablet users are aware of the default power plans in Windows 7. By default, Windows 7 offers three power plans: Power saver, Balanced, and High Performance. Windows allows you edit these power plans by changing the default Sleep mode and display settings.
Windows also offers some advanced options to edit power plans under advanced power settings dialog box which can be accessed by clicking Change advanced power settings option present in Edit plan settings (under Power Options). While Windows offers that many options to customize power plan settings, it doesn’t let you rename or change the default name of a power plan.
Though you can always create a new plan and name it, wouldn’t it be cool if it was possible to rename the default power plans in Windows 7?
Users who wish to rename default power plans in Windows 7 will be glad to know that it’s actually possible to rename power plans in Windows 7 by executing some commands in the elevated prompt.
If you are looking for a way to rename these power plans, here is how to rename power plans in Windows 7 using a simple command.
Step 1: Launch elevated Command Prompt. To do this, type cmd in start menu search box and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Alternately, navigate to All programs, Accessories, right-click on Command Prompt and then select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Type Powercfg List in the Command Prompt to know existing power plans and their GUIDs.
Step 3: Now type the following command & hit enter to rename a power plan:
Powercfg –Changename GUID Newname
In the above command, replace GUID with the power plan’s GUID that you have obtained in the above step and Newname with your custom name. For example:
Step 4: Once done, you can close the Command Prompt.
You might also like to read our how to import and export power plans in Windows 7 guide.
harl windwolf says
By the way, since Windows 7 and 8 are essentially based on the same kernel and registry structures, the same “tricks” work in Windows 8 too.
Just did this, renamed the original “Power saver” to something else then renamed “Balanced” to “power saver”, so I can now switch between “High performance” and “power saver” via the taskbar/systray button without having to open the “Power Options” frame.
There’s a chance this would even work with Windows Vista as well, since Windows 7/8 are essentially based on Vista but I haven’t tried that.
Drafell says
It is possible to delete a default power scheme, here is how.
Get the Powercfg List as mentioned above, then do:
Powercfg -Delete GUID
(replace GUID with the power scheme ID which you wish to delete)
Just make sure you do not try to delete the power scheme that is currently in use as this will likely have undesirable effects.
Fixticks says
Hey Jay, rename the original high performance to another name
Rename the balanced one to high performance and use Advanced power settings to configure it to max settings akin to those High performance uses.
now u can switch between yo new high performance and power saver.
Jay says
Hmm, would there be anyway to delete default power plans? I switch between Power Saver and High Performance (on laptop), and the Balanced one I don’t ever use.