Use Windows’ Processor performance boost mode setting and choose Disabled for battery power, AC power, or both. The option is often hidden, but the built-in powercfg command can change it directly. This adjusts Windows’ performance policy; it does not necessarily switch off the processor’s firmware feature in BIOS/UEFI.
What this setting actually changes
Intel Turbo Boost and AMD Precision Boost are processor technologies that automatically raise clock speeds above a nominal level when temperature, power, current and workload conditions permit. Intel says Turbo Boost is normally enabled by default and that a firmware switch, when available, is provided by the motherboard or system manufacturer: Intel support guidance.
Windows Processor performance boost mode controls how the operating system requests performance above the nominal level. Microsoft documents these values:
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Disabled |
| 1 | Enabled |
| 2 | Aggressive |
| 3 | Same as Enabled |
| 4 | Same as Aggressive |
The practical result depends on whether the computer uses ACPI P-states, CPPC/PEP or autonomous hardware control. Microsoft’s definition and setting GUID are documented at Processor performance boost mode. Disabling this policy should not be described as locking the CPU to its base clock or permanently disabling firmware Turbo Boost.
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Method 1: Disable boost in Advanced Power Options
- Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and open it.
- Go to Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
- Beside the active plan, select Change plan settings.
- Select Change advanced power settings.
- Expand Processor power management, then Processor performance boost mode.
- Set On battery, Plugged in, or both to Disabled.
- Select Apply, then OK.
These are separate AC and DC values. A laptop can therefore avoid boost while unplugged while retaining normal performance on its charger.
Method 2: Use Powercfg when the option is hidden
Open Command Prompt as administrator. First check which plan is active and inspect its processor settings:
powercfg /getactivescheme
powercfg /query SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSORDisable boost for both power states on the active plan:
powercfg /setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 0
powercfg /setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 0
powercfg /setactive SCHEME_CURRENTUse only the DC command for battery operation:
powercfg /setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 0
powercfg /setactive SCHEME_CURRENTUse only the AC command for plugged-in operation:
powercfg /setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 0
powercfg /setactive SCHEME_CURRENTMicrosoft documents the command syntax, AC/DC options and aliases in powercfg command-line options. The setting’s GUID is be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7 and its alias is PERFBOOSTMODE.
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If Processor performance boost mode is missing
Microsoft marks this setting as hidden by default. The following elevated command changes only its visibility attribute:
reg add "HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlPowerPowerSettings54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7" /v Attributes /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /fBack up the key or create a restore point before editing the registry. Reopen Advanced Power Options afterward. This command does not disable boost; you must still set the AC and/or DC value to Disabled. OEM firmware or a Windows build may continue to hide, override or ignore the control. Microsoft’s setting documentation is at this reference; the commonly used visibility path is discussed in Microsoft Q&A.
Method 3: Set Maximum processor state to 99%
If the boost-mode control is unavailable, open Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings, expand Processor power management → Maximum processor state, and set the required AC/DC value to 99%.
The command-line equivalent is:
powercfg /setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PROCTHROTTLEMAX 99
powercfg /setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PROCTHROTTLEMAX 99
powercfg /setactive SCHEME_CURRENTMicrosoft defines PROCTHROTTLEMAX as a maximum processor performance state from 0 to 100 percent: MaxPerformance documentation. On many traditional systems, 99% keeps Windows below the boost range. It is not a universal Turbo Boost switch: modern hardware-controlled systems, OEM firmware and AMD implementations may respond differently. It can also reduce peak or single-thread performance, and sustained clocks may fall below the advertised base frequency.
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How to verify the change
Use a repeatable workload rather than relying on one instantaneous frequency reading.
- Record idle frequency, short peak frequency and sustained all-core frequency.
- Compare CPU package power, temperature, fan speed and workload completion time.
- Check Task Manager alongside a reputable hardware-monitoring or processor diagnostic utility.
- Repeat the test separately on battery and AC power if you changed only one state.
Modern CPUs change frequency rapidly, and reported frequency can be normalized by hardware-controlled performance states. Microsoft explains related counter behavior in its CPU performance-counter guidance. If sustained clocks no longer exceed the expected non-boost range, the Windows policy is probably active; that does not prove firmware Turbo Boost has been permanently disabled.
Restore normal boost behavior
To restore an enabled boost policy:
powercfg /setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 1
powercfg /setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 1
powercfg /setactive SCHEME_CURRENTValue 1 is Enabled. Value 2 is Aggressive:
powercfg /setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 2
powercfg /setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 2
powercfg /setactive SCHEME_CURRENTIf you used the 99% workaround, restore the maximum state to 100%:
powercfg /setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PROCTHROTTLEMAX 100
powercfg /setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PROCTHROTTLEMAX 100
powercfg /setactive SCHEME_CURRENTWhen Windows does not control the result
Use BIOS/UEFI when you need a firmware-level switch, when several operating systems must obey the same setting, or when Windows changes have no observable effect. Look for labels such as Intel Turbo Boost, Turbo Mode, Core Performance Boost or Precision Boost; names and availability vary by manufacturer. Intel directs users to the motherboard or system maker for these controls: Intel BIOS guidance.
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Laptop utilities can also rewrite Windows plans or impose their own limits. Armoury Crate, Lenovo Vantage, Dell Power Manager, HP Command Center, MSI Center and Acer NitroSense may offer Silent, Balanced or Performance modes, fan curves and thermal limits. Test with the vendor utility set to Balanced or Silent and check whether it changes the active plan. Microsoft describes the Windows power slider as a lightweight policy layer while OEMs can control additional thermal and device behavior: power-slider documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Practical choices by situation
| Goal | Best first choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Cooler, quieter battery operation | Disable boost on DC only | Preserves full plugged-in performance. |
| Quiet desktop work while plugged in | Disable boost on AC only | Leaves battery behavior unchanged. |
| Hidden setting | powercfg |
Changes the active plan without registry editing. |
| Legacy system without boost-mode control | 99% maximum processor state | Reversible compatibility workaround, with greater performance trade-offs. |
| Permanent, OS-independent control | BIOS/UEFI | Applies below Windows when the firmware exposes the option. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does setting Maximum processor state to 99% always disable Turbo Boost?
No. It commonly suppresses boost on older or traditionally managed systems, but hardware-controlled performance selection, OEM firmware and processor architecture can produce different results.
Does this work on AMD processors?
The Windows policy is processor-vendor neutral, but AMD Precision Boost behavior and firmware interfaces differ from Intel Turbo Boost. Confirm the result with sustained workload measurements.
Will disabling boost damage the CPU?
Disabling a Windows performance request is not inherently damaging. It may lower performance and extend task time; temperature and power results depend on the system.
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Why can the CPU still show a high frequency afterward?
Instantaneous readings can reflect rapid frequency changes, non-boost clocks, reporting normalization or OEM controls. Compare sustained behavior under the same workload and power state.
Can an update or vendor utility undo the setting?
Yes. Switching power plans, OEM performance modes, firmware changes or software updates can rewrite policy values. Recheck the active plan if behavior changes.
The Bottom Line
For a reversible Windows-only change, disable Processor performance boost mode with the graphical setting or powercfg, choosing AC and DC independently. Treat 99% maximum processor state as a fallback, and use BIOS/UEFI when you need firmware-level control.
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