How to Enable Windows 11 CPU Boost

Quick Tips

• This setting doesn’t overclock your CPU but only changes how quickly and how often Windows requests boost states from a processor that already supports them.
• Back up the Registry or create a System Restore point to make sure you can roll back any wrong settings.
• This is a different feature from Windows 11’s newer Low Latency Profile, but the two can run side by side without conflicting.

Unlike with traditional overclocking, which is entirely manual and must be set up in BIOS or UEFI, modern processors can automatically raise their clock speed when they need to. And Windows 11 hides an advanced control for this behavior. Once you enable Windows 11 CPU boost, you can decide how aggressively your processor should reach for those higher frequencies versus trying to get more battery life or a quieter fan. Here’s how to enable and configure the feature.

What Does Processor Performance Boost Mode Actually Do?

Rather than raising your CPU’s maximum turbo speed or bypassing any hardware limit, CPU boost changes how aggressively Windows asks the processor to enter and stay boosted. A more aggressive mode can improve responsiveness in bursty or demanding workloads; a less aggressive one can reduce heat, fan noise, and power draw, which matters most on laptops.

This is separate from Low Latency, a newer Windows 11 feature Microsoft began rolling out with the June 2026 update. Low Latency Profile delivers short, targeted performance bursts during interactive moments, like opening the Start menu or launching an app.

How to Enable Windows 11 CPU Boost

There are a few ways to enable the boost, usually by revealing the setting that changes it.

Part 1 – Unhide the Setting Using Registry Editor

Step 1. Press “Win + R,” type in “regedit,” and hit “Enter.” Confirm the User Account Control.

Step 2. Navigate to the following address (paste it directly into the Registry Editor’s address bar over the existing value):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7

Step 3. In the right-hand pane, double-click on the “Attributes” DWORD value.

Step 4. Change the “Value data” from 1 to 2, then click “OK.”

Step 5. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Restart your PC, then reopen Power Options. If the setting still doesn’t appear, verify that the Registry value was changed correctly.

Option 2 – Unhide the Setting Using a Command

If you’d rather skip the Registry, a single command does the same job on most Windows 11 versions.

Step 1. Open “Start,” search for “Terminal” or “CommandPrompt,” then choose “Run as administrator.”

Step 2. Run the following command:

powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE -ATTRIB_HIDE

Part 2 – Enable the CPU Boost

With the Power Options setting unlocked, you can use the Control Panel to manipulate the settings.

Step 1. Open the Control Panel and go to “Power Options.”

Step 2. Select “Change plan settings” next to your active power plan.

Step 3. Go to “Change advanced power settings.”

Step 4. Expand “Processor power management,” then expand the newly visible “Processor performance boost mode” entry.

Step 5. Set your preferred modes for on-battery and plugged-in performance if able.

Step 6. Hit “Apply,” then “OK.”

Choosing the Right Boost Mode

Not every option below appears on every PC. They depend on the CPU model, firmware, and Windows version. The most common options are:

• Disabled: Keeps the processor at its base clock speed. Best for maximizing battery life and minimizing heat and fan noise.
• Enabled: Standard Windows behavior that balances performance and efficiency. This is the default and suits most users.
• Aggressive: Holds the CPU boost longer under load. Best for gaming desktops and well-cooled performance systems.
• Efficient Enabled: Allows boosting while prioritizing power efficiency. A solid pick for everyday productivity on laptops.
• Efficient Aggressive: Faster boost response than Efficient Enabled while still watching power draw. Good for gaming laptops and mobile workstations.

After changing the mode, give it a few days of normal use and keep an eye on performance, temperatures, fan noise, and battery runtime, since the real-world effect varies by processor, cooling, and workload.