To enable Ultimate Performance on Windows 10 or 11, run this command in Command Prompt (Admin): powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61. The plan will then appear in Control Panel > Power Options > Show Additional Plans.
Quick Steps:
- Right-click Start menu and select “Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”
- Paste command:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 - Press Enter to execute
- Open Control Panel > Power Options
- Click “Show Additional Plans”
- Select “Ultimate Performance”
Why Use the Ultimate Performance Plan?
The Ultimate Performance power plan is designed for workstations and high-end PCs that need maximum performance. It eliminates micro-latencies by preventing the system from entering power-saving states, keeping your CPU and other components running at peak performance.
This plan is particularly useful for content creators, gamers, and professionals running demanding applications like video editing software, 3D rendering, or virtual machines. Microsoft originally designed it for workstation hardware, but it works on any Windows 10 or 11 Pro/Enterprise edition.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Right-click the Start button and select “Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”. You need administrator privileges to create new power plans in Windows.
Step 2: Execute the Power Plan Command
Copy and paste this command exactly: powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61. Press Enter. You should see a confirmation message with a new GUID indicating the plan has been created.
Step 3: Access the Power Plan
Open Control Panel (search for it in Start menu), navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Click “Show Additional Plans” to reveal the newly created Ultimate Performance plan.
Step 4: Activate Ultimate Performance
Select the radio button next to “Ultimate Performance”. Your system is now using the maximum performance power profile. You can further customize settings by clicking “Change plan settings” if needed.
How to Customize Ultimate Performance Settings
After activating the plan, click “Change plan settings” next to Ultimate Performance. You can adjust display brightness, sleep timers, and when the display turns off. For advanced options, click “Change advanced power settings.”
In advanced settings, you can modify processor power management, USB selective suspend settings, and PCI Express link state power management. Most users should leave these at default values for optimal performance.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: Command doesn’t work or returns an error
Solution: Ensure you’re running Command Prompt as Administrator. The command only works on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education, and Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise editions.
Problem: Ultimate Performance doesn’t appear in Power Options
Solution: Click “Show Additional Plans” in the Power Options window. The plan may be hidden by default even after creation.
Problem: Laptop battery drains faster
Solution: This is expected behavior. Ultimate Performance prevents power-saving modes, significantly increasing battery consumption. Use this plan only when plugged in.
Problem: System runs hotter than usual
Solution: Ultimate Performance keeps components at maximum performance, generating more heat. Ensure your cooling system is adequate and clean. Consider reverting to Balanced mode if temperatures are concerning.
FAQ
Does Ultimate Performance work on Windows 10 Home?
No, this power plan is only available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, as well as Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise. Windows Home editions don’t support this feature natively.
Will this damage my hardware?
No, Ultimate Performance won’t damage your hardware. It simply prevents the system from entering power-saving states, but your hardware still operates within safe thermal and power limits.
Should I use this on my laptop?
Only when plugged in. Ultimate Performance significantly reduces battery life by preventing power-saving features, making it impractical for mobile use.
Does this improve gaming performance?
Yes, it can improve gaming performance by eliminating micro-latencies and preventing the CPU from downclocking during gameplay. The difference is most noticeable in CPU-intensive games.
Can I delete this power plan later?
Yes, use the command powercfg -delete [GUID] where GUID is the plan’s identifier, or delete it through Power Options by selecting another plan first, then clicking “Change plan settings” and “Delete this plan.”
