In this guide, we will discuss all the things you can do with your Windows 10 sleep settings, so you can experience more of what your Windows system can offer.
What Is Sleep Mode on Windows 10?
Sleep mode is one of the Windows settings that allows you to conserve the battery of your device by putting it into a low-power state and turning off your display when not in use. So, if you want to resume where you left, you can put your computer to sleep instead of completely shutting it down to save the current state of your device.
In Windows 10, your laptop will sleep automatically after a certain period. You have the option to choose how long it should be idle before automatically going to sleep and whether it should wake up if you move your mouse.
How to Adjust the Length of Time Before Your Computer Automatically Sleeps
The first thing you need to configure in your Windows sleep settings is the length of time your PC should wait before it enters sleep mode. The system allows you to assign different periods when your device is plugged into a power source and running on battery. To adjust these settings, follow the instructions below:
Press Win + I keys to open the Settings app. Then press System > Power & sleep. Under Sleep, there are two settings you can customize: On battery power, PC goes to sleep after, and When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after. Use the drop-down menu to choose the duration of how long your computer should be idle before it goes to sleep. If you don’t like your computer to sleep automatically, choose Never from both options. By selecting this option, your laptop will remain awake. However, this option will quickly drain your battery, especially if it’s not plugged into a power source.
How to Stop Your Mouse From Waking Up Your Computer From Sleep
Your computer automatically wakes up from sleep mode if you move your mouse or trackpad. If you don’t want this to happen, you have the option to turn off this setting using your PC’s Device Manager tool. Here’s how:
Open Run by pressing Win + R. Then type devmgmt. msc to open Device Manager. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section by clicking the arrow beside it. Next, right-click on your mouse and click Properties from the menu. Then, click the Power Management tab. Under the Power Management tab, uncheck the box beside Allow this device to wake the computer option and then press OK at the bottom of the window.
After this configuration, your computer will remain asleep even if you move your mouse or trackpad. If you want to wake up your PC, you need to press the power button.
How to Manually Activate Sleep Mode
If you don’t want to wait around to put your computer to sleep, Windows allows you to activate this mode manually. You have two options to do this: changing what the power button does and putting your laptop to sleep when you close the lid. Follow the steps below to configure these settings:
How to Set Up Manual Sleep Through the Power Button
Open Settings by pressing and holding Win + I keys. Then press System > Power & sleep. Next, click Additional power settings on the right side part of the window. Under the Power Options section, select Choose what the power button does. Here you have the option to define what the power button does when you press it. You can even choose what it does when your laptop is on battery or plugged in. Under the When I press the power button section, choose Sleep from the drop-down menu of On battery and Plugged in options. If your laptop has a sleep button, you can also change the settings here. You can access shutdown settings on this page, so the Sleep button will appear on the Power menu. Just make sure that the box is checked beside Sleep in Shutdown settings. Lastly, press Save changes to save these current settings.
How to Put Your Laptop to Sleep When You Close the Lid
In addition to changing what your power button does, you can manually put your device to sleep by closing the lid of your laptop. This can save you a lot of time, especially if you’re always on the go. You won’t need to press anything else, just shut the lid of your laptop, and you’re all set. Here’s how you can activate the setting.
Open Settings by pressing Win + I. Then press System > Power & sleep. From the Power & sleep window, click Additional power settings under the Related settings section. This will open the Power Options window. On the left side menu, select Choose what closing the lid. Under the When I close the lid settings, select Sleep from the drop-down menu for both On battery and Plugged in options. Finally, click Save changes.
How to Adjust Your Wake Settings
Another feature that you can use on your Windows 10 sleep settings is to automatically wake up your computer from Sleep mode. You can also disable your system from asking for your password again when waking up from sleep mode. Follow the instructions below to change these settings:
How to Automatically Wake Up Your Computer
To automatically wake up your PC:
Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep. Under Power & sleep, press Additional power settings found on the right side menu. On the Power Options window, click Change plan settings. Then, select Change advanced power settings. From the Advanced settings, expand the Sleep option by clicking the Plus button beside it. Next, click the Plus beside the Allow wake timers to expand it. Lastly, ensure that both On battery and Plugged in options are enabled. Once done, press Apply and OK.
How to Disable Your System From Asking for Your Password Again
To disable the password requirement:
Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under the Require sign-in option, choose Never from the drop-down menu. This will stop your computer from asking your password when waking up from Sleep mode.
Customize Windows 10 Sleep Settings for Maximum Productivity
Although Windows 10 has already set up the sleep settings when you buy the device, it usually doesn’t match your usage. Thankfully, you can modify these settings depending on your needs and make the most of the sleep feature this system has to offer.
