What is the Lowest Processor State? Everything You Need to Know

What is the minimum processor state?

If you're on Windows 10 or 11, the "Minimum Processor State" is a great way to maximize the use of your Central Processing Unit (CPU). When the processor has few tasks to run or is idle, the Minimum Processor State provides it with the least amount of power.

This isn't ideal for extended use, but it can help you get by in a pinch. You should only do this on a computer with sufficient cooling, not one that's already prone to overheating.

This feature can be found in the Power Options within Windows Settings. In this guide, we'll show you how to set, add, or remove a minimum processor state on Windows 10/11.

What is the recommended minimum Processor state?

The default minimum processor state in Windows 10/11 is 5%, which is also the ideal minimum recommended by many experts. The primary reason for setting the "Minimum Processor State" to 5% is that if you run programs with low CPU requirements, they can still function properly at a lower CPU state. This allows the system to optimize, monitor, and save battery power. On the other hand, when using resource-intensive programs like games, you can set the maximum processor state to 100%.

How to set the minimum processor state in Windows 10/11?

The "Minimum processor state" setting allows Windows users to set a minimum percentage of usage. Setting a low minimum processor state can reduce battery life, but it might also result in poor CPU performance. We recommend that you customize the "Minimum processor state" only when needed.

This step-by-step guide will help you personalize the power options available in the Control Panel and how to find them in Windows 10 and 11.

Step 1: Go to the Search bar, type in Control Panel, and open the app from the search results.

Step 2: Click on "Hardware and Sound," and then click "Power Options" in the list.

Click Power options.

Step 3: On the next screen, find and select “Change plan settings.”

Step 4: Next, click on “Change advanced power settings” under “Power Options.”

Step 5: In the new window, find “Processor Power Management,” then expand the menu for “Minimum Processor State.” Click on the “5%” setting and input the percentage you want.

Step 6: Click Apply, and then click OK to save your changes.

How do I add or remove the minimal processor state?

To add or remove the Minimum processor state setting from the Power Options, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key, then type Notepad into your computer's Search bar. Open the Notepad app.

Step 2: Paste the following "Registry" text into Notepad.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

This registry entry in Chinese can be translated as: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\bc5038f7-23e0-4960-96da-33abaf5935ec] "Attributes"=dword:00000001 请注意，这是一个特定的注册表键值，其中包含有关设备电源设置的信息。在中文版的Windows中，路径可能会显示为"当前控制集"，但其他部分（如GUID）保持不变，因为它们是全局唯一标识符，不受语言翻译影响。"Attributes"字段指的是条目的属性，而dword:00000001是一个二进制值，其具体含义会根据上下文而有所不同。

Step 3: Go to the "File" menu and click on "Save As."

Click the "Save As" option:

Step 4: Choose a location on your computer and type a name with the .reg extension.

Step 5: Under “Save as type,” choose “All Files,” and then click the “Save” button.

Select the destination folder and choose the file type

Step 6: Navigate to where you saved the file, double-click it, and select “Yes.”

We've covered everything you need to know about C-State in this article, but if you have any other questions, check out the FAQ section.

"Frequently Asked Questions About 'Minimum Processor State'" "Minimum Processor State" typically refers to the state in which a computer's processor operates in a low-power mode. In this state, the processor reduces its performance to conserve power. Here are some common questions and answers: 1. **What is Minimum Processor State?** Minimum Processor State is an energy-saving mode of a CPU where it reduces its clock speed to the lowest level, decreasing power consumption, usually occurring when system load is low. 2. **Why is Minimum Processor State needed?** This state is used to prolong battery life, especially in laptops and mobile devices. It also helps lower overall system temperature, reducing the need for cooling. 3. **How can I change the settings for the minimum processor state?** In the Windows operating system, adjustments can be made through Power Options. In the "High Performance" or "Balanced" power plan, the processor may less frequently enter this state. However, excessive changes can impact battery life and system responsiveness. 4. **Does the minimum processor state affect performance?** Yes, when the processor is in the minimum state, its processing capability decreases, which might slow down program execution. However, this effect usually occurs only when the system doesn't require full processing power. 5. **How do I know if my processor is in the minimum state?** You can use Task Manager (in Windows) or other system monitoring tools to view the current processor state. If you see very low CPU usage, it's likely that it's running in the minimum state. These are some general questions and answers about "Minimum Processor State." Specific details may vary depending on different hardware and operating systems.

Here are some additional frequently asked questions that might be helpful for you.

What is the minimum required processor for the game?

Typically, the minimum processor state does not significantly impact a system's CPU performance during heavy tasks like gaming. It mainly affects power consumption when the system is idle or running small processes. Hence, there is no recommended minimum processor state value for gaming.

2. Can I set the minimum processor state to 0 or 100?

Yes, you can set the "Minimum Processor State" to 0 or 100, but it's not recommended. The default value for "Minimum Processor State" is 5%, and setting it to 0 won't provide much benefit. On the other hand, when you need high CPU performance, it's advisable to change this value to 100.

3. Will setting my processor to minimum state 100% damage my CPU?

This won't damage your CPU, but it will drain your battery quickly and won't improve your computer's performance. You might want to set the processor minimum state to 100% when you need a high-performance power plan.