How to Disable Modern Standby in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Modern versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 support Modern Standby (S0), which allows the system to instantly "wake up" to perform background tasks even when it’s in sleep mode. However, some users may find this feature problematic due to increased power consumption and unwanted device activations. Here’s how you can disable Modern Standby if it’s unnecessary for your setup.

What is Modern Standby and How Does It Work?

Modern Standby, also known as S0 Low Power Idle, allows a device to remain connected and ready for quick activation. It’s ideal for tablets and ultrabooks as it supports instant task execution, such as receiving notifications or updating app data. However, for desktops or laptops that don’t need to stay connected in standby mode, this can lead to unwanted activity and battery drain.

How to Check if Your Computer Supports Modern Standby

Before disabling Modern Standby, you’ll need to check if your computer supports it. To do so:

  • Open Command Prompt (cmd) as an administrator.
  • Enter the command: powercfg /a
  • You’ll see a list of available standby modes. If you see something like "Standby (S0 Low Power Idle) Network Connected," your computer supports Modern Standby.

Methods for Disabling Modern Standby in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Method 1: Editing the Windows Registry

The simplest way to disable Modern Standby is by editing the Windows Registry. Before making any changes, it’s recommended to create a system restore point in case you need to revert to previous settings.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to the following path in the Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power
  3. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named CsEnabled.
  4. Set the value to 0 to disable Modern Standby.
  5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Note: This method may not work on some devices where Modern Standby is enabled at the hardware level, and the setting may be unavailable.

Method 2: Using Group Policy (for Windows Pro and Above)

If you have Windows Pro or a higher version, you can try disabling Modern Standby through Group Policy settings:

  1. Open Local Group Policy Editor by pressing Win + R, typing gpedit.msc, and pressing Enter.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Power Management.
  3. Look for settings related to Modern Standby or sleep mode. Configure these to disable the feature if such an option is available.