How to Change Inactivity Timeout in Windows 11 Registry

Managing screen timeout settings is crucial for both the security and usability of a Windows 11 system. By default, Windows might turn off the display or put your PC to sleep after a set duration of inactivity. While this helps conserve energy and maintain security, you might want to adjust these settings for workflows that require more time without interaction. In cases where traditional settings don’t give you full control, editing the Windows Registry offers a more granular solution.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of safely changing the inactivity timeout by modifying the Windows 11 Registry. This approach is for advanced users or those comfortable with administrative tasks. If done carefully, it allows you to customize timeouts beyond what is permitted in the standard user interface.

Understanding Inactivity Timeout

Inactivity timeout refers to how long your computer waits before taking action—like turning off the screen or entering sleep mode—when there is no user interaction such as mouse movements or keyboard activity.

Common reasons to modify this setting include:

• Preventing automatic sleep during long tasks like downloads or presentations
• Extending screen availability for information displays
• Customizing power preferences for specific user roles or environments

Most basic settings can be adjusted through Settings → System → Power & Battery. However, these options may not cover every scenario. That’s where the Windows Registry becomes a powerful tool.

Warning: Proceed with Caution

Important: Editing the Windows Registry carries risk. Incorrect modifications can render your system unstable or unbootable. Before proceeding, it’s highly recommended to:

• Back up your registry by using the File → Export option within the Registry Editor.
• Create a full system restore point as an additional safeguard.

Only proceed if you’re confident in your ability to follow instructions precisely.

Accessing the Registry Editor

To make any changes, you’ll need to access the Registry Editor. Follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to make changes.

You’re now ready to edit the Registry.

Finding the Correct Registry Key

The relevant settings for inactivity timeout are located in the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings

Here’s how to navigate:

1. Inside the Registry Editor, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
2. Navigate through SYSTEM → CurrentControlSet → Control → Power → PowerSettings.
3. Under this folder, you’ll find various subkeys categorized by GUIDs representing different power settings.

The specific keys responsible for screen timeout are:

• Video idle timeout: 3c0bc021-c8a8-4e07-a973-6b14cbcb2b7e
• Unattended sleep timeout: 7bc4a2f9-d8fc-4469-b07b-33eb785aaca0

Modifying Timeout Values

Now that you’ve identified the correct keys, you can start editing the timeout values. First, you need to find the AC Setting Index and the DC Setting Index within these keys:

• AC Setting Index: Time in seconds for when the computer is plugged in
• DC Setting Index: Time in seconds for when the computer is on battery power

To change either value:

1. Double-click on Attributes and set its value to 2 if it’s not already.
2. Double-click on either AC Setting Index or DC Setting Index.
3. Choose Decimal as the format to make the value easier to understand.
4. Enter the number of seconds you want for the timeout (e.g., 600 for 10 minutes).
5. Click OK and repeat for the other index if necessary.

Your changes will typically take effect after a reboot or a refresh of power settings.

Optional: Make the Setting Appear in Power Options

Some of these settings are hidden from the default Power Options menu. To make them visible:

1. Open a Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Execute the following command:

powercfg -attributes SUB_VIDEO 3c0bc021-c8a8-4e07-a973-6b14cbcb2b7e -ATTRIB_HIDE

This command ensures the setting appears under Control Panel → Power Options → Change Plan Settings → Advanced Power Settings.

Verifying the Changes

Once you’ve modified the Registry, it’s critical to verify that the new timeout is in effect:

1. Restart your computer to ensure all settings are loaded correctly.
2. Let your system remain idle and confirm that the screen or system timeout now matches the new configuration.
3. Check Advanced Power Settings under Power Options to visually confirm your timeout values.

Should anything seem off, double-check the Registry entries or restore from the backup if necessary.

Troubleshooting

If your custom timeout settings don’t seem to work:

• Ensure you’re editing the correct power scheme (verify with powercfg /L in Command Prompt).
• Make sure no group policy or third-party software is overriding these settings.
• Double-check that the values are in seconds and you used Decimal when entering them.

Sometimes, Windows updates or vendor utilities (like Dell or HP power managers) might reset or alter these settings. Be prepared to reapply changes after significant system updates.

Final Thoughts

Adjusting the inactivity timeout in Windows 11 via the Registry allows you to exert precise control over how your machine behaves during idle periods. This is especially useful for IT administrators, advanced users, and professionals who need to fine-tune their systems beyond standard user options.

However, with great power comes great responsibility. Always proceed with caution when editing the Registry, and retain backups to protect your system’s integrity. If done correctly, this method provides you with a powerful tool to customize how your Windows 11 machine manages power and user sessions.