Powercfg Command-Line Options

Powercfg.exe is used to control power plans (power schemes), manage device power states, and analyze system energy efficiency and battery life issues.

Syntax

• powercfg /option [arguments] [/?]
  • option: One of the options from the predefined list
  • arguments: Optional arguments applicable to the selected option

Key Options and Their Descriptions

• /?, -help: Displays command-line parameter information.
• /list, /L: Lists all power schemes.
• /query, /Q: Shows the contents of a power scheme.
• /change, /X: Modifies a setting in the current power scheme.
• /changename: Changes the name and description of a power scheme.
• /duplicatescheme: Duplicates a power scheme.
• /delete, /D: Deletes a specified power scheme.
• /deletesetting: Deletes a power setting.
• /setactive, /S: Activates a specified power scheme.
• /getactivescheme: Retrieves the active power scheme.
• /setacvalueindex: Sets a power setting value when powered by AC.
• /setdcvalueindex: Sets a power setting value when powered by DC.
• /import: Imports power settings from a file.
• /export: Exports a power scheme to a file.
• /aliases: Displays all aliases and corresponding GUIDs.
• /getsecuritydescriptor: Gets security descriptor of power settings/schemes.
• /setsecuritydescriptor: Sets security descriptor of power settings/schemes.
• /hibernate, /H: Enables or disables hibernation.
• /availablesleepstates, /A: Reports available sleep states.
• /devicequery: Lists devices based on criteria (e.g., wake capability).
• /deviceenableawake: Enables a device to wake the system.
• /devicedisablewake: Disables a device from waking the system.
• /lastwake: Reports what woke the system from last sleep.
• /waketimers: Enumerates active wake timers.
• /requests: Enumerates Power Requests from applications/drivers.
• /requestsoverride: Sets Power Request overrides.
• /energy: Analyzes system for energy efficiency issues.
• /batteryreport: Generates a battery usage report.
• /sleepstudy: Produces a sleep quality diagnostic report.
• /srumutil: Dumps Energy Estimation data.
• /systemsleepdiagnostics: Reports on system sleep transitions.
• /systempowerreport: Generates a report on power transitions.

Key Command Examples

/query or /Q

• Command: powercfg /query [scheme_GUID] [sub_GUID]
  • scheme_GUID: Identifier for power scheme.
  • sub_GUID: Identifier for power-setting subgroup.

Examples:

/change or /X

• Command: /change setting value
  • setting: Type like monitor-timeout-ac
  • value: New value in minutes

Example:

Overlays and PPM Profiles

• Overlay schemes are limited to performance vs. power savings trade-off settings.
• Commands for overlays and PPM profiles:
  • powercfg /setacvalueindex overlay_scheme_alias subgroup_alias setting_alias value
  • powercfg /setdcvalueindex overlay_scheme_alias subgroup_alias setting_alias value

Generating XML for Provisioning

• Command: powercfg /pxml /output output_file_path
  • Can specify version, name, id, owner.

These commands and options provide comprehensive control over power settings and diagnostics on Windows systems.