Nowadays, our dependence on devices such as laptops and tablets has grown exponentially. Central to these devices’ mobility and convenience is their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. However, like all batteries, lithium-ion variants are not immune to the ravages of time. Over periods of extended use, you may begin to notice a dip in performance, and eventually, the battery might cease to hold a charge altogether. Typically, a lithium-ion laptop battery will provide optimal performance for its initial year. But what if you suspect that the diminished performance of your battery is not just a result of its age but possibly due to a manufacturing defect or another underlying issue with your system? Thankfully, both Windows 11 and Windows 10 come equipped with a solution: the ability to generate a comprehensive battery health report.
This detailed battery report is not just a tool for tech enthusiasts; it offers a wealth of information about your battery’s condition. From detailed specs to potential service options tailored to your device’s make, model, and age. For instance, if you find that your underperforming battery or laptop is still under warranty, you might be in line for a free replacement.
Interestingly, all versions of Windows, including the latest Windows 11 and its predecessor Windows 10, come with a hidden gem – the Battery Report feature. With this feature, you gain insights into the health of your battery, track how its capacity has waned over time, and get your hands on other fascinating statistics.
So, how do you access this report? It’s simpler than you might think. Using the built-in “powercfg” command, you can summon the report via Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or even PowerShell. And for those eager to delve even deeper, the “powercfg” command can also conjure an energy report, offering valuable recommendations on minimizing your computer’s energy consumption and, in the process, prolonging its battery life.
How to Generate a Battery Report in Windows 11 or 10?
powercfg /batteryreport
C:\Users\UserName\battery-report.html
How to Read the Battery Report?
After obtaining the battery report, proceed to the specified path. Once there, double-click the report to open it using the default browser on your PC.
C:\Users\UserName\battery-report.HTML
Battery report
The battery report is presented as a single HTML page, segmented into different sections. The initial section displays details such as the computer name, system product name, BIOS version, OS build version, the PC’s compatibility with Connected Standby, and the timestamp indicating when the report was created.
Installed batteries
The subsequent section, titled “Installed Batteries,” provides details about the batteries installed in your device, including their name, manufacturer, serial number, chemistry, design capacity, full charge capacity, and cycle count.
This section is of paramount importance and merits close attention. As illustrated in the provided screenshot, the battery’s design capacity stands at 54,000 mWh, while the present full charge capacity is 46,530 mWh. This discrepancy underscores the battery’s wear over time. Originally, the battery was designed to hold 54,000 mWh, but now it can retain a maximum of 46,530 mWh, indicating it now charges slightly less than it used to. As the battery undergoes more charge cycles, this number will progressively diminish.
A quick tip: For those with newly purchased laptops, it’s not uncommon to observe a full charge capacity that surpasses the design capacity. However, with the passage of time and changes in battery chemistry, this number will gradually reduce.
Recent Usage
In the aforementioned screenshot, the “Recent Usage” segment of your battery report showcases the device’s power states spanning the last three days. Within this section, you can identify when your device was powered on, when it entered a suspended state, and the rate at which the battery capacity depleted over the duration.
Battery usage
The report displays data solely for the past three days. The “Battery Usage” section illustrates the gradual depletion of your battery over that period.
Usage history
This section presents a timeline of your battery’s consumption and duration. It provides insights into the duration for which the device operated on battery power versus the time it remained connected to a power outlet. The data presented here traces back to the device’s installation date, essentially capturing the stats from the moment you first powered on the device after purchase.
Battery capacity history
This insightful segment illustrates the gradual decline of your battery’s total charge capacity in comparison to its original design capacity. Additionally, the statistics provided here trace back to the date when Windows was initially set up on the computer.
Battery life estimates
Subsequently, this section provides an estimation of the average battery life of your device over various time frames, factoring in your usage patterns. It juxtaposes the actual battery life observed during full charges against the theoretical battery life based on its design capacity.
Conclusion
Battery health is crucial for ensuring optimal performance from devices like laptops. While the gradual wear and tear of lithium-ion batteries is natural, Windows 10 and 11 users can benefit from the built-in Battery Report feature. This tool not only gives an in-depth look at the battery’s condition but also offers historical data on its performance. By understanding the health of your battery, you can make informed decisions regarding its usage, potential replacements, or warranty claims. As reliance on mobile devices continues to grow, having access to such insights becomes invaluable for consumers.
