How to extend battery lifespan / not charge to 100%

Solution 1:

How to increaes the battery lifespan with operating system Windwos 10?

As of Windows 10, and the current technical standards for portable computer power-control (i.e. ACPI and more modern UEFI-based specifications), you can't. This is unfortunate because the benefits of limiting battery charge level are well-documented (cynically, keep-in-mind that computer manufacturers have a perverse incentive to sell batteries that wear out such that you'll purchase new batteries - also note that many laptops with 3 or even 5 year warranties will specifically exclude the Lithium-Ion battery pack or give the battery a much shorter warranty, even if it's an non-user-serviceable internal battery.

Do I need to install software or is it possible with Windows 10 Settings to change the behavior. e.g. stop charching after a specific percentage / Do not charge to 100%

It isn't possible from within Windows simply because the computer's battery charger controller hardware operates entirely independently from the operating-system - it's often a simple electronic connection from the DC jack on your laptop directly to the internal Lithium-Ion - protected only by commodity overcharge (i.e. beyond 100%) and overheating protection circuits - and these are not necessarily configurable by the OS or EFI firmware. Remember that your laptop will charge its battery to 100% when it's plugged-in, even when it's turned-off (so the OS has literally no way of limiting the battery's charge).

That said, some laptop makers do provide tools that do let you configure your battery charging hardware - both my old Toshiba Tecra laptop from 2006 and my Sony Vaio laptop from 2010 both had "battery health" / "battery care" utility programs that would configure the charge-limiter, which was nice.

Until Microsoft or another OS vendor - or civic-minded member of the EFI forum decides to champion a proposal for limiting battery charge, the best we can do is manually monitor battery charge and to physically unplug or switch-off the charger/docking-station if it exceeds some sensible limit. It's frustrating that it can't be easily automated.

Solution 2:

There is a program for Windows called Battery Limiter that will sound an alarm when the battery charge exceeds a specified high limit and drops below a low limit; this is probably the best that can be done unless the specific computer supports actually controlling the charge. I haven't used it yet, but the Web site says for version 1.0.6 (still current March 2021) that it has

"so smart" feature, allows user to connect Battery Limiter with their smart devices, like smartplugs to automate your charger ... smart feature will probably require some more explanation for most users I will prepare some basic manual of the idea, also I hope some users might send me their setup so could share with the rest of you

The manual available for download as of March 2021 didn't mention the "smart" feature.

By the way, there is a program like this for Android (AccuBattery), and a program for rooted Android that stops charging when the specified limit is reached (Battery Charge Limit).

HTH

Solution 3:

Scientific studies show optimal battery charge percentage for long life is 50 percent and a temperature of 60 degrees fahrenheit. 50 percent is best for someone who uses a laptop as a desktop replacement and rarely uses the battery. I work at a desk plugged in, but have meetings for a few hours. In my case the optimal charge percent is 85 and discharges to 40. Wear conditions for batteries are cycle count, temperature, and continuous high or low charge states. Windows does not have any native settings to limit charge rate. Most newer laptops have settings in the bios for automatic charge rate, full charge, or user set charge rate. Another way to limit charge rate but is not optimal is to use an under spec power adapter. For example if your laptop requires a 90w charger, using a 65w usually won't charge the battery but can cause a slightly reduced cpu speed/performance.