From 1a4f950e9c314fbddd5a7f1b4323dd036bd0bf97 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dave Rayment Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:54:46 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] Clarify lock screen behavior for PowerToys Awake Added information about lock screen behavior and its impact on PowerToys Awake functionality. Added specific notes about security considerations from using Awake instead of customizing a Power Plan (as Awake cannot be used while the device is locked). --- hub/powertoys/awake.md | 10 ++++++++++ 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+) diff --git a/hub/powertoys/awake.md b/hub/powertoys/awake.md index b858c21d3f..ce6ac70b9c 100644 --- a/hub/powertoys/awake.md +++ b/hub/powertoys/awake.md @@ -16,8 +16,13 @@ PowerToys Awake is a Windows utility that keeps your computer awake without modi You can use PowerToys Awake directly from PowerToys Settings or as a standalone executable (`PowerToys.Awake.exe` in the PowerToys installation folder). > [!NOTE] +> PowerToys Awake is active only when you are logged in and it is enabled. **Awake does not function when the lock screen is displayed.** Your normal power plan is active at other times. +> > PowerToys Awake does not modify any of the Windows power plan settings and does not depend on a custom power plan configuration. Instead, it spawns background threads that tell Windows that they require a specific state of the machine. Once PowerToys Awake exits, the threads are terminated and the computer will resume its standard power plan behavior. +> [!IMPORTANT] +> PowerToys Awake temporarily overrides your power plan choices and is intended for use while you are at your computer or in private environments. For persistent keep-awake needs, especially when stepping away in shared environments, configure your Windows power plan settings directly and lock your computer for security. + ## Settings In the PowerToys Settings, start PowerToys Awake by toggling **Enable Awake** on. Once enabled, the application will manage the power and screen state of the computer. @@ -42,6 +47,11 @@ While PowerToys Awake can keep the computer awake indefinitely or temporarily, i This feature only works when PowerToys Awake is enabled and has one of the custom power states selected. It also does not prevent any user-initiated actions, such as manually putting the computer to sleep or hibernating it. +## Lock screen behavior +PowerToys Awake does not function when the lock screen is displayed. This is because the lock screen operates in a separate security context from the user session. When you lock your computer, Windows transitions to this secure context, and user-mode applications like PowerToys Awake cannot maintain their power requests. + +If you need your computer to stay awake while locked, modify your Windows power plan settings directly instead of using PowerToys Awake. + ## System tray To manage the execution of the tool from the system tray, right-click on the PowerToys Awake icon. From 67eb3efef2d4ba3c3d6828bef1a30e0890846c91 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Alvin Ashcraft <73072+alvinashcraft@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:08:30 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Apply suggestions from code review Style guide related changes. --- hub/powertoys/awake.md | 6 +++--- 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/hub/powertoys/awake.md b/hub/powertoys/awake.md index ce6ac70b9c..2010f1eee4 100644 --- a/hub/powertoys/awake.md +++ b/hub/powertoys/awake.md @@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ PowerToys Awake is a Windows utility that keeps your computer awake without modi You can use PowerToys Awake directly from PowerToys Settings or as a standalone executable (`PowerToys.Awake.exe` in the PowerToys installation folder). > [!NOTE] -> PowerToys Awake is active only when you are logged in and it is enabled. **Awake does not function when the lock screen is displayed.** Your normal power plan is active at other times. +> PowerToys Awake is active only when you are signed in and it is enabled. **Awake doesn't function when the lock screen is displayed.** Your normal power plan is active at other times. > -> PowerToys Awake does not modify any of the Windows power plan settings and does not depend on a custom power plan configuration. Instead, it spawns background threads that tell Windows that they require a specific state of the machine. Once PowerToys Awake exits, the threads are terminated and the computer will resume its standard power plan behavior. +> PowerToys Awake doesn't modify any of the Windows power plan settings and doesn't depend on a custom power plan configuration. Instead, it spawns background threads that tell Windows that they require a specific state of the machine. Once PowerToys Awake exits, the threads are terminated and the computer resumes its standard power plan behavior. > [!IMPORTANT] > PowerToys Awake temporarily overrides your power plan choices and is intended for use while you are at your computer or in private environments. For persistent keep-awake needs, especially when stepping away in shared environments, configure your Windows power plan settings directly and lock your computer for security. @@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ While PowerToys Awake can keep the computer awake indefinitely or temporarily, i This feature only works when PowerToys Awake is enabled and has one of the custom power states selected. It also does not prevent any user-initiated actions, such as manually putting the computer to sleep or hibernating it. ## Lock screen behavior -PowerToys Awake does not function when the lock screen is displayed. This is because the lock screen operates in a separate security context from the user session. When you lock your computer, Windows transitions to this secure context, and user-mode applications like PowerToys Awake cannot maintain their power requests. +PowerToys Awake doesn't work when the lock screen is displayed. This limitation exists because the lock screen operates in a separate security context from the user session. When you lock your computer, Windows transitions to this secure context, and user-mode applications like PowerToys Awake can't maintain their power requests. If you need your computer to stay awake while locked, modify your Windows power plan settings directly instead of using PowerToys Awake.