Modern Standby (S0) Connected Standby and Disconnected standby

In the ever-evolving world of technology, power management plays a crucial role in enhancing user experiences and maximizing device efficiency. One notable power model that has gained significant attention is Modern Standby. Originally based on the Windows 8.1 Connected Standby power model, Modern Standby offers a seamless user experience with its instant-on/instant-off capabilities, akin to those found in smartphones. This blog post dives into the features and benefits of Modern Standby and highlights the two operational modes: Connected Standby and Disconnected Standby.

The Power of Modern Standby

Modern Standby, an advanced power management model, provides users with an unparalleled experience of instant responsiveness and efficient power consumption. Unlike its predecessor, the Windows 8.1 Connected Standby power model, Modern Standby expands the scope of low-power idle functionality to market segments that were previously limited to the Traditional Sleep (S3) power model. By allowing the system to remain connected to the network while in a low-power mode, known as the S0 low power idle model, Modern Standby ensures real-time delivery of emails, messaging, and cloud-synced data.

Connected Standby: Always Connected for Continuous Updates

Connected Standby, the default mode of Modern Standby, offers users uninterrupted connectivity and real-time updates. With Connected Standby, the device maintains network connectivity and keeps Wi-Fi enabled, ensuring the seamless delivery of emails, messages, and other cloud-synced data. This mode allows users to experience an instant-on functionality, similar to that of a smartphone, where the device quickly resumes from a low-power state, ready for immediate interaction.

Disconnected Standby: Optimizing Battery Life

Modern Standby also introduces Disconnected Standby, an optional mode specifically designed to maximize battery life. In Disconnected Standby mode, the device continues to provide the instant-on experience, but with power-saving optimizations. By disabling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other network connectivity features, Disconnected Standby conserves battery power without compromising the device's responsiveness when needed. This mode is particularly useful when users are on the move or in situations where power outlets are not readily available.

Switching Between Standby Options

To switch between Connected Standby and Disconnected Standby modes, specific commands can be executed in Windows. The following commands need to be run:

Disconnected Standby enabled:

Battery mode:

powercfg /setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_none F15576E8-98B7-4186-B944-EAFA664402D9 0

Mains mode:

powercfg /setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_none F15576E8-98B7-4186-B944-EAFA664402D9 0

Connected Standby (Default) enabled:

Battery mode:

powercfg /setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_none F15576E8-98B7-4186-B944-EAFA664402D9 1

Mains mode:

powercfg /setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_none F15576E8-98B7-4186-B944-EAFA664402D9 1

Verifying the Configuration

To confirm the applied standby mode, you can run the following command:

powercfg /a

Important Consideration

One important factor to note is that if you have set the mains mode to Connected Standby and the battery mode to Disconnected Standby, shutting down the device while it is connected to mains power will not switch it to Disconnected Standby mode. To ensure the correct standby profile is activated, it is necessary to switch to battery mode before powering off the device, simply put unplug if form the mains before you turn it off.

Windows Power mode vs Power Plans

Windows, as an operating system, has undergone significant changes over the years. One notable evolution has been in the way it manages power, particularly for mobile devices such as laptops and tablets. As chip and device developers strive to maximize battery life, the old power management strategies need to be reviewed.

The Old Rule: High Performance as the Default

In the past, the prevailing wisdom was to set power plans to "high performance" for optimal performance. Any other option was seen as asking for trouble. As, Windows often struggled with waking up sleeping cores and even failed to do so at 100% utilization, causing frustration for users, particularly in server environments.

This approach is still recommended for servers and high-performance workstations but now is not suitable for battery-powered user mobile devices.

Considering Device Age

Device age also plays a role in power management decisions. Over time, devices naturally become slower, and users may need an extra performance boost before replacing them. In such cases, temporarily switching to the high-performance mode can provide a much-needed performance boost at the cost of battery run time, buying time to plan and prepare for a new device, but it should be done near the end of the devices life not at the start.

The Rise of Mobile Devices and Battery Life Concerns

With the rise of mobile devices and the increasing demand for longer battery life, the old rule of sticking to high-performance power plans no longer holds true in all cases. Mobile devices, such as laptops and tablets, now have better power management then they did years ago and newer built-in features that come enabled via the "Balanced" power plan or the customized plan some device manufacturers install for specific usage. Adjusting the power mode has become the better option for performance while still allowing the operating system to access power saving functions in the device drivers.

Configuring Power Modes in Windows

In Windows 10, changing the power mode is as simple as clicking on the battery icon located in the lower right corner of the screen. Windows 11 has reorganized this feature under the "Settings" menu and "Power & battery" options. These changes make it easier for users to switch between power modes and tailor their device's performance to their needs.

The evolution of power management in Windows reflects the changing needs of users, particularly in the mobile device landscape. While high-performance power plan were once the default choice, battery life concerns have prompted a revaluation of these strategies. Mobile devices now benefit from the balanced power plan or customized plans that strike a balance between performance and battery life. Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer straightforward options to configure power modes, making it easier for users to optimize their device's performance. Understanding the relationship between power management, device age, and performance is crucial for getting the most out of mobile devices in an increasingly mobile-centric world.

Windows 10 Sleep unattended idle timeout (Hidden setting)

 This setting controls the timeout before a Windows 10 device returns back to sleep from a WoL or timed event.

Sleep unattended idle timeout | Microsoft Docs

It can be accessed by unhiding it with the following command ran as admin

powercfg -attributes SUB_SLEEP 7bc4a2f9-d8fc-4469-b07b-33eb785aaca0 -ATTRIB_HIDE

Or rehidden with this one

powercfg -attributes SUB_SLEEP 7bc4a2f9-d8fc-4469-b07b-33eb785aaca0 +ATTRIB_HIDE

Once its unhidden it will give you a new options within the advanced power settings profile.

Windows Server Performance issues - Power options

 This is a little basic, but when looking at server performance make sure that the Power options are set to High Performance

This has a impact on the system and can help with some low level performance issues.  all servers guest and hosts.

Can be done via group policy Computer > Administrative Templates > System> Power Management > Select An Active Power Plan