Quick fix: Open Terminal (Admin) and run powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61. This unlocks the hidden Ultimate Performance power plan. Then Control Panel → Power Options → pick Ultimate Performance. Eliminates CPU throttling, increases power use, max performance for workstations.

Ultimate Performance is hidden by default on consumer Windows. It disables most power-saving features for max performance. Best for desktops doing CPU-intensive work (rendering, compiling). Not for battery laptops — battery drains fast.

Symptom: Want maximum CPU performance on Windows 11 for workstation or gaming use.
Affects: Windows 11 (and Windows 10).
Fix time: ~3 minutes.

What causes this

Microsoft created Ultimate Performance for Workstation editions. It disables: dynamic frequency scaling, USB selective suspend, CPU c-states (deep idle), most power-saving features. Result: CPU runs at max clock all the time. Workstation users see 5-10% better performance in some loads. Power usage increases significantly.

Method 1: Unlock Ultimate Performance plan

The standard route.

Open Terminal (Admin).
Duplicate the Ultimate Performance scheme:
```
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
```
The GUID is the Ultimate Performance template, present in all Windows 11.
Plan is created. Returns its GUID.
Open Control Panel → Power Options. Or run powercfg.cpl.
Ultimate Performance now appears in the list. Click radio button to activate.
Confirm via Quick Settings (Win+A) → Battery section shows Ultimate Performance.

Now active.

Method 2: Configure Ultimate Performance for specific apps

For laptops needing it only sometimes.

Ultimate Performance is system-wide power plan. Not per-app.
For per-app boost: use Game Mode for games (Settings → Gaming → Game Mode → on). Game Mode is per-app.
For temporary use: switch to Ultimate Performance before heavy work, switch back to Balanced after.
Script to toggle: PowerShell powercfg /setactive GUID where GUID is Ultimate Performance’s GUID. Save as scheduled task.
For laptop on battery: avoid Ultimate Performance unless plugged in. Significantly reduces battery life.
For workstations always plugged: leave on Ultimate Performance permanently.

This is the right path for selective use.

Method 3: Customize Ultimate Performance settings further

For tuning.

With Ultimate Performance active: Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings.
Tweak:
- Minimum processor state: 100% (max).
- Maximum processor state: 100%.
- System cooling policy: Active (fans run faster as needed).
- USB selective suspend: Disabled.
- PCI Express Link State Power Management: Off.
- Hard disk turn off: Never.
Apply. Reboot for some settings (PCI Express).
For gaming-specific tuning: Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling On.
For real-time priority: open Task Manager → right-click app → Set priority → Realtime. Per-app boost. Caution — can starve other apps.

This is the deep tuning.

How to verify the fix worked

Control Panel → Power Options shows Ultimate Performance radio selected.
Run benchmark (Cinebench, 3DMark, Geekbench). Score should be slightly higher than Balanced.
Task Manager → Performance → CPU. Frequency stays at boost clock under load, doesn’t throttle.

If none of these work

If plan doesn’t appear: Group Policy restricting power plans: corporate PCs may disable. Check via gpresult. For PCs that need it gone: remove the duplicated plan: powercfg /delete GUID. For laptops in battery mode: some laptops auto-switch from Ultimate Performance to lower plan on battery. Disable battery-mode auto-switch in laptop’s vendor app. For PCs with custom power profiles from vendor: vendor profile may override. Lenovo Vantage, Dell Power Manager, etc. For ARM laptops: Ultimate Performance may not unlock; ARM has different power management.

Bottom line: powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 unlocks Ultimate Performance plan. Activate in Power Options. Best for plugged-in workstations and gaming. Avoid on battery.