Turbo Boost is a processor technology that allows a CPU to temporarily run above its base clock speed when additional performance is needed. On supported Intel processors, it is commonly referred to as Intel Turbo Boost Technology. AMD processors use similar technologies, such as Precision Boost.
Windows 11 does not generally provide a simple switch labeled “Turbo Boost On/Off.” However, you can influence or disable processor boost behavior through Windows power settings, advanced power options, or the computer’s UEFI/BIOS settings.
In this guide, you will learn several ways to enable or disable Turbo Boost on Windows 11. The available options depend on your processor, motherboard, laptop manufacturer, and Windows power configuration.
What Is Turbo Boost?
A processor has a base clock speed and may also have a higher boost frequency.
For example, a CPU might have:
Base frequency: 2.50 GHz
Maximum boost frequency: 4.50 GHzThe processor does not normally run at 4.50 GHz continuously. Instead, it dynamically increases its clock speed when conditions allow.
The processor considers factors such as:
- CPU workload
- Temperature
- Power consumption
- Current limits
- Number of active CPU cores
- Cooling capability
- Firmware settings
Turbo Boost therefore isn’t simply an always-on higher clock speed.
Method 1: Enable or Disable Turbo Boost Using Power Options
One of the easiest Windows-based approaches is to use the Processor performance boost mode setting.
Step 1: Open Power Options
Press:
Windows + RType:
powercfg.cplPress Enter.
The Power Options window will open.
Step 2: Open Advanced Power Settings
Select the currently active power plan.
Click:
Change plan settings
Then select:
Change advanced power settings
Step 3: Find Processor Power Management
Expand:
Processor power management
Look for:
Processor performance boost mode
Depending on your Windows version and processor, you may see options such as:
- Enabled
- Disabled
- Aggressive
- Efficient Enabled
- Efficient Aggressive
- Aggressive at Guaranteed
- Efficient Aggressive at Guaranteed
The exact options can vary between computers.
Step 4: Disable Boosting
If Disabled is available, select it.
For example:
Processor performance boost mode
On battery: Disabled
Plugged in: DisabledClick:
Apply → OK
Windows will then prevent the processor from using its normal performance-boost mechanism through that power policy.
Step 5: Test CPU Performance
After changing the setting, open Task Manager.
Press:
Ctrl + Shift + EscSelect:
Performance → CPU
Run a CPU-intensive application or benchmark and observe the CPU speed.
The CPU should no longer boost in the same way when the setting is disabled.
Note: This method does not physically turn off the processor’s Turbo Boost feature at the firmware level. It changes how Windows requests processor performance.
Method 2: Enable the Hidden Processor Performance Boost Option
On some Windows 11 computers, Processor performance boost mode may not appear in Advanced Power Options.
You can make the setting visible using Command Prompt.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Click Start.
Search for:
Command PromptRight-click it and select:
Run as administrator
Step 2: Run the Command
Enter:
powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE -ATTRIB_HIDEPress Enter.
This makes the processor boost-mode setting visible in supported power plans.
Step 3: Open Advanced Power Settings
Press:
Windows + REnter:
powercfg.cplPress Enter.
Then go to:
Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings
Expand:
Processor power management
You should now be able to find:
Processor performance boost mode
Step 4: Disable Turbo Boost
Select:
Disabled
for the power mode you want to modify.
For example:
On battery: Disabled
Plugged in: DisabledClick Apply and then OK.
Method 3: Enable Turbo Boost Again
If you previously disabled boost mode through Windows, you can restore it.
Open:
Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings
Expand:
Processor power management → Processor performance boost mode
Change the setting from:
Disabledto:
Enabledor another boost mode appropriate for your system.
Click:
Apply → OK
Restarting Windows is not normally required, although restarting can be useful when testing whether the change took effect.
Method 4: Enable or Disable Turbo Boost Using UEFI/BIOS
If you want a firmware-level setting, check your computer’s UEFI/BIOS.
This is particularly useful if Windows power settings do not provide the behavior you want.
Step 1: Open Windows Recovery Options
Open:
Settings → System → Recovery
Find:
Advanced startup
Click:
Restart now
Step 2: Open UEFI Firmware Settings
After the computer restarts, select:
Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart
Your computer should boot into its firmware setup.
Step 3: Find the CPU Performance Setting
The location and name depend on the manufacturer.
Look under sections such as:
- Advanced
- CPU Configuration
- Processor Configuration
- Performance
- Overclocking
- Advanced CPU Configuration
On some systems, you may find an option specifically related to:
Intel Turbo Boost Technologyor a processor performance/boost setting.
Step 4: Disable the Feature
If your firmware provides a dedicated Turbo Boost option, change it to:
DisabledSave the changes and exit UEFI/BIOS.
The computer will restart.
Step 5: Enable It Again
Return to the same firmware setting and change it back to:
EnabledSave the changes and restart Windows.
Important: Many modern laptops and prebuilt PCs do not expose a Turbo Boost switch in UEFI/BIOS. If you don’t see such an option, don’t change unrelated CPU settings simply to disable boosting.
Method 5: Use Maximum Processor State to Limit Boosting
Another Windows power-management setting that can affect CPU frequency is Maximum processor state.
Open:
Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings
Expand:
Processor power management
Then select:
Maximum processor state
You can reduce the maximum processor state from 100%.
For example:
Maximum processor state: 99%This has historically been used on some Windows systems to prevent normal Turbo Boost behavior.
However, this method should not be considered a universal Turbo Boost switch. Its effect varies depending on Windows version, processor architecture, firmware, and power-management configuration.
If your computer provides Processor performance boost mode, that is generally the more direct Windows setting to use.
How to Check Whether Turbo Boost Is Working
You can use Windows Task Manager to observe CPU frequency.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
Press:
Ctrl + Shift + EscStep 2: Open CPU Information
Select:
Performance → CPU
Look at:
Speed
and compare it with:
Base speed
For example:
Base speed: 2.50 GHz
Current speed: 3.80 GHzA CPU running above its base frequency indicates that it is operating above its base clock, although this alone does not prove exactly which boost mechanism is responsible.
You can also use CPU-monitoring software from your processor or motherboard manufacturer for more detailed information.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I disable Turbo Boost on Windows 11?
For most users, no. Turbo Boost is designed to automatically increase processor performance when needed. Consider disabling or limiting it primarily for troubleshooting, temperature management, fan-noise reduction, or battery-life experiments.
2. Does disabling Turbo Boost damage the CPU?
No. Disabling processor boost does not normally damage the CPU. It simply limits the processor’s ability to operate at its higher boost frequencies.
3. Can I enable Turbo Boost again after disabling it?
Yes. If you disabled it through Windows power settings, change Processor performance boost mode back to Enabled or the appropriate default option. If you disabled a firmware setting, return to UEFI/BIOS and enable it again.
4. Does setting Maximum Processor State to 99% disable Turbo Boost?
It can prevent normal boost behavior on some Windows systems, but it is not a universal or guaranteed Turbo Boost switch. The Processor performance boost mode setting, when available, is a more direct Windows power-management control.
Conclusion
Turbo Boost allows compatible processors to temporarily operate above their base frequency to provide additional performance. Windows 11 does not always provide a dedicated Turbo Boost switch, but you can control boost behavior through Processor performance boost mode in Advanced Power Options.
If the setting is hidden, the following command can make it visible:
powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE -ATTRIB_HIDEFor a firmware-level configuration, check your computer’s UEFI/BIOS for a Turbo Boost or processor performance option.
For everyday use, keeping Turbo Boost enabled is generally recommended because it allows the processor to automatically balance performance, power consumption, and temperature.
