What is Maximum Processor Frequency and How to Use It?

Some users have been looking for a way to program the maximum processor frequency on their PC computer. By default, the maximum processor frequency is set to 0 in all the recent Windows versions. This means that the processor is allowed to run as high as it’s capable of running.

However, there are reasons why you’d want to limit the frequency on Windows 10. Maybe you want to save energy or maybe you just found out that your CPU is running too hot when it’s tasked for demanding tasks. Fortunately, Windows 10 includes a way to program the maximum processor frequency, but the option is hidden by default.

What is the Maximum Processor Frequency?

The frequency of a processor specifies the operating frequency of the CPU core(s) – It is measured in MHz. Generally, the higher the frequency, the faster the processor will be.

If you know how to do this, there are ways that will help you specify the approximate maximum frequency (in MHz) of your processor from within Windows 10. You will be allowed to predetermine the maximum processor frequency in two different scenarios:

• On Battery – When the computer is running on the battery
• Plugged in – When the computer is plugged into a power source

Keep in mind that most modern processors manage themselves and there are few advantages to be gained by changing processor-related settings from the Windows menu. It might actually end up affecting your PC performance by limiting the maximum frequency allowed.

However, manipulating the maximum processor frequency is effective in those cases where the user notices that the processor runs too hot on the default maximum frequency and wants to take precautionary steps against hardware malfunction.

This procedure is also effective if you’re working with a limited laptop battery and you’re looking to increase your screen time. Limiting the maximum frequency might end up giving you some extra minutes before you need to plug your laptop into a power source.

How to Add the Maximum Processor Frequency option?

Starting with Windows 10 built 1709, the power supply option “Maximum Processor Frequency” was removed from the Power Option tab. So if you have an up-to-date version of Windows 10, you can no longer adjust the Maximum Processor Frequency, because the option is now hidden by default.

If you’re looking for ways to manually program your maximum processor frequency, this article will show you several ways to do it directly from the Windows 10 interface – no 3rd party software needed.

But keep in mind that the max MHz that you can specify will be the highest frequency allowed for the CPU. With this in mind, note that you can’t use this option to overclock your CPU frequency. You can only underclock the CPU frequency, given that the maximum value is the highest allowed by your CP.

In the methods that follow, you’ll learn of two different ways that will allow you to either Add or Remove the Maximum Processor Frequency menu inside Power Options.

Method 1: Adding or Removing the Maximum Processor Frequency menu using Command Prompt

If you don’t mind working from a terminal, then the quickest way that will allow you to add the Maximum Processor Frequency is from an elevated Command Prompt window.

We’ve tested this method ourselves and we can confirm that it works as intended. But you’ll need to have an up-to-date copy of Windows 10 in order for this to work.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “cmd” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt. When prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant administrative privileges to the newly opened Command Prompt.

   

2. Inside the elevated Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter to add the Maximum Processor Frequency inside the Power Options menu:

    powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR 75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100 -ATTRIB_HIDE

3. Restart your computer.
4. Once the next startup is complete, press Windows key + R to open up another Run dialog box. Then, type “powercfg.cpl” and press Enter to open up the Power Options menu.

   

5. Select the power plan that is currently active, then click on Change Advanced power settings.

   

6. Scroll down through the list of settings and you will discover a drop-down menu named Maximum Processor Frequency. Modify its values to set the preferred values (in MHz).
7. Restart your computer once again once the On battery and Plugged In values have been modified in order to force them into effect.

Note: If you ever want to make the Maximum processor frequency menu to go away, follow Step 1 again but this time, use the following command to remove the menu from Power Options:

powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR 75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100 +ATTRIB_HIDE

If you’re looking for a different approach in making the Maximum Processor Frequency menu appear inside Power Options, follow the methods below.

Method 2: Adding or Removing the Maximum Processor Frequency menu via Registry Editor

Another way to go around making the Maximum Processor Frequency menu visible inside the Power Options window is to use the Registry Editor. You just need to change the value of one registry key. The whole process is extremely simple (the hard part is getting to the correct location).

Here’s a quick guide on adding or removing the maximum processor frequency menu via Registry Editor:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a run dialog box. Then, type “regedit” and press Enter to open up Registry Editor. When prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant administrative privileges.
2. Inside Registry Editor, use the left-hand menu to navigate to the following location:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100

   Note: You can either navigate there manually or you can paste the location inside the navigation bar.

3. Once you get to the above-specified location, move over to the right-hand pane and double-click on Attributes.
   Note: If the Attributes value is not present in the right-hand menu, you’ll need to create it yourself. To do this, right-click on an empty space and choose New > Dword (32-bit) value. Then, name the newly created Dword to Attributes.
4. Double-click on Attributes from the right-hand pane and set it’s value to 2 to enable the Maximum Processor Frequency menu.

Note: If you ever want to make the Maximum Processor Frequency option invisible again (via Registry Editor), simply return to the same location ( HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100) and set the Attributes value to 1.

How to change the Maximum Processor Frequency on Windows 10

Now that you’ve used one of the methods below to make the Maximum Processor Frequency option visible inside the Power settings window, it’s time you learn how to change the settings. Just in case you’re not a fan of the GUI approach, we also included a method that will allow you to adjust the maximum processor frequency via Command Prompt.

Method 1: Changing the Maximum Processor Frequency via the Power Options menu

If you want to stay away from the CMD terminal and do all the modifications from a visual menu, this option is from you. Using the steps below, you will be able to change the Maximum Processor Frequency directly from the Power Options menu.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. In order to use this method, you must have already followed one of the two methods above (that showed you how to add the Maximum Processor Frequency setting. Without this first step, the menu will not be visible.
2. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “powercfg.cpl” and press Enter to open the Power Options menu.
3. Inside the Power Options menu, click the Change plan settings link associated with the power plan that you currently have active.
4. Inside the Plan Settings menu of your current power plan, click on Change advanced power settings.
5. Inside the Advanced settings tab of the Power Options menu, scroll down through the list of settings and expand the drop-down menu associated with Processor power management.
6. Next, click on the ‘plus icon’ associated with Maximum processor frequency.
7. Now, you’ll need to set the maximum processor frequency (in MHz) for both On Battery and Plugged in.
   Note: You can’t go higher than the maximum frequency allowed by your CPU, so it’s wise to consult your CPU capabilities before making this modification. If you set the frequency to 0 MHz (default value) it’s short for unlimited. This means that your CPU will be allowed to reach the maximum frequency
8. Once the frequencies have been modified, click Apply to save the changes, then restart your computer to make the changes permanent.

If you’re looking for a more technical approach that will save you some time, follow Method 2 below.

Method 2: Changing Maximum Processor Frequency via Command Prompt

If you consider yourself a technical person, then this approach might suit you better. Follow the steps below for instructions on how to modify the maximum processor frequencies straight from an elevated Command Prompt.  You will be able to modify both values (On Battery and Plugged In) as you can from the GUI menu.

Here’s a quick guide on changing the Maximum Processor Frequency via Command Prompt:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “cmd” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt. When prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant administrative privileges.

   

2. Inside the elevated command prompt, type the following command to modify the default value for Maximum Processor Frequency (On Battery):
   

   powercfg -setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT 54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00 75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100 <MHz>
   

   Note: Keep in mind that <MHz> is simply a placeholder. You’ll need to replace it with the custom frequency that you want to enforce for On Battery. For example:

   powercfg -setdcvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT 54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00 75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100 2300

3. Use the following command to modify the default processor frequency (Plugged In):

   powercfg -setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT 54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00 75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100 <MHz>

   Note: Same as with the first command, <MHz> is simply a placeholder and needs to be replaced with the frequency that you want to enforce.

4. Restart your computer to allow the changes to take effect.