4.Click Require a password (recommended).

NOTE: If you need to create a user account password or change your current user account password, click Create or change your user account password, and then follow the on- screen instructions. If you do not need to create or change a user account password, go to step 5.

5.Click Save changes.

Using the power meter and power settings

The power meter is located on the Windows desktop. The power meter allows you to quickly access power settings and view the remaining battery charge.

To display the percentage of remaining battery charge and the current power plan, on the Windows Desktop, point over the power meter icon.

To use Power Options, or to change the power plan, click the power meter icon and select an item from the list. From the Start screen, you can also type power, select Settings, and then select Power Options.

Different power meter icons indicate whether the computer is running on battery or external power. The icon also displays a message if the battery has reached a low or critical battery level.

Selecting a power plan

A power plan manages how the computer uses power and helps you conserve power and maximize performance. To change the power plan, from the Start screen, type power, select Settings, and then select Power Options.

The following power plans are available:

HP Recommended (recommended). Automatically balances performance with energy consumption on capable hardware.

Power saver. Saves power by reducing system performance and screen brightness where possible.

High performance. Favors performance, but may use more energy. Your battery will not last as long between charges using this power plan. Click Show additional plans to select this power plan.

You can also create your own power plan and customize it to how you use the computer for your needs.

To use Power Options, from the Start screen, type power, select Settings, and then select Power Options.

Running on battery power

When a charged battery is in the computer and the computer is not plugged into external power, the computer runs on battery power. If the computer has a charged battery installed and the AC adapter is disconnected from the computer, the computer automatically switches to battery power and the display brightness decreases to conserve battery life. The battery in the computer slowly discharges when the computer is off and unplugged from external power.

Computer battery life varies, depending on power management settings, programs running on the computer, display brightness, external devices connected to the computer, and other factors.

38 Chapter 6 Managing power