In this tutorial, I will show you how to enable or disable Efficiency Mode in Microsoft Edge for all users. The efficiency mode in the Edge browser helps extend battery life by saving computer resources, and it can be turned off if this feature is affecting your work.

On Windows 11, the Edge browser comes preinstalled. By default, efficiency mode is enabled for devices with a battery and disabled otherwise. Efficiency mode will become active when your device is unplugged and will remain active until your device is connected to power or your laptop runs out of battery. Optionally, you can also display the performance button on toolbar in Microsoft Edge.

Edge users using Windows 11/10 can disable the efficiency mode on demand if they don’t intend to use this feature. Another option that Microsoft recommends is to exclude a site from efficiency mode by adding it to a block list in Settings.

Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC
Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC

There are multiple ways to enable or disable efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge for Windows 11 and 10 users, and I will discuss these methods in this guide. You can use any of these methods at your workplace to manage the efficiency mode in the Edge browser.

What is efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge?

Efficiency mode is one of the performance features in Microsoft Edge that is designed to help extend the battery life of your device. When enabled, the efficiency mode reduces power consumption by modifying background tab and foreground activity. It also puts inactive background tabs to sleep after 30 minutes or less of inactivity.

Edge Efficiency mode works well with battery-powered devices such as laptops, and it can also benefit desktop computers.

When should you disable the efficiency mode in Edge?

One disadvantage of using efficiency mode is that it interferes with your browsing experience. In some situations, it may cause videos to be less smooth, and you may encounter some noticeable slowdowns when browsing.

Microsoft says: It is recommended that sites that require high performance, such as gaming in the browser, be excluded from efficiency mode. Additionally, you can also turn on the option to improve your PC gaming experience with efficiency mode to get better browser performance while gaming.

Enable efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge

As previously stated, the Edge browser has efficiency mode turned on by default. If it’s not, you can turn it on with these steps:

  • In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more  > Settings  > System and Performance.
  • Scroll down to the Optimize Performance section.
  • Set the toggle for Efficiency Mode to On.
Enable efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge
Enable efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge

How can I turn off efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge?

You can turn off efficiency mode by going to Microsoft Edge Settings and performing these actions:

  1. In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more  > Settings  > System and Performance.
  2. Scroll down to the Optimize Performance section.
  3. Set the toggle for Efficiency Mode to Off.
Turn off efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge
Turn off efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge

Disable Efficiency mode using Group Policy

If your Windows devices are joined to an Active Directory domain, you can permanently disable efficiency mode with group policy. The group policy setting “Efficiency mode enabled” lets you enable or disable the efficiency mode for users in your setup.

This setting is located under Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > Performance. If you don’t see this setting, you must download and import the latest ADMX templates for the Edge browser.

If you disable this policy, efficiency mode will never become active. The ‘EfficiencyMode‘ and ‘EfficiencyModeOnPowerEnabled‘ (enable efficiency mode when the device is connected to a power source) policies will have no effect.

Perform the following steps to create a new GPO to disable efficiency mode in Microsoft Edge for Windows users:

  • Launch Server Manager and select Tools > Group Policy Management Console.
  • In the Group Policy Management console, expand the domain, right-click Group Policy Objects or an OU, and select New.
  • Enter the name for the group policy, such as “Disable Edge Efficiency Mode,” and click OK.
  • Navigate to Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge > Performance. Right-click the “Efficiency mode enabled” setting and set it to ‘Disabled.’
Disable Efficiency mode using Group Policy
Disable Efficiency mode using Group Policy

Efficiency mode is greyed out

Some users may experience issues while turning off the efficiency mode in Edge. The option to enable or disable efficiency mode is greyed out for the reasons listed below.

  1. Processor support: If your device processor does not support Efficiency Mode, then you will not be able to turn it off. However, if your processor does support it, then you may need to update your drivers or BIOS to enable it.
  2. Organizational Policy: If the efficiency mode is greyed out in your Edge browser, it means your organization has already configured it using group policy or Microsoft Intune. In such cases, you may not be able to modify the efficiency mode settings. You must contact your administrator in your organization to exclude your device from the policy.
Efficiency mode is greyed out
Efficiency mode is greyed out

Still Need Help?

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Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a technology expert and 10 time Dual Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) with a focus on Microsoft Intune, SCCM, Windows 365, Enterprise Mobility, and Windows. He is a renowned author, speaker, & community leader, known for sharing his expertise & knowledge through his blog, YouTube, conferences, webinars etc.