If you have a portable device like a laptop or tablet, you get to decide how the screen acts while on battery or plugged in. Desktops only have the plugged-in option. The screen timeout length can be anywhere from two minutes to five hours.

First, click the Start Menu and select the gear icon to open the Settings. (You can also open the window by pressing Windows+i.)

Next, select “System” from the Settings window.

Select “Power & Sleep” from the sidebar.

If you’re using a desktop, you’ll see one drop-down for “When Plugged In” under both “Screen” and “Sleep.” If you’re using a laptop or tablet, you’ll see a second drop-down for “On Battery Power.”

For controlling when the screen turns off, select a drop-down under “Screen.”

Select “Never” from the menu to prevent Windows from turning off your display.

That’s it! For best results, we recommend only keeping the screen on while plugged in. You’ll go through the battery quickly if you do it on battery power. However, the choice is yours!

You can also prevent an iPhone or Android device from turning off its display, too.

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