How to Add or Remove "Allow Away Mode Policy" from Power Options in Windows

Away Mode does the following when invoked:
  • Shuts down the video signal at the port
  • Mutes all system audio
  • Blocks HID and PS/2 input devices (so your cat does not walk across the “delete” key and delete your library)
  • Puts the CPU into “adaptive” mode, which may save power depending on what’s running
  • Notifies kernel-mode and user-mode components of the transition (enables HW like video cards to clock-down or front-panel displays to change content, enables SW to do “smart” things like IM going to “away”)
  • Notifies the BIOS through an ACPI control method of the transition (enables the power LED to change from green to whatever, enables a different thermal profile to be put in place if the OEM decides)
  • Wakes back up when flash devices (USB FOB, flash card) are inserted
  • Wakes back up when an optical disc is inserted in the drive

The intention here is to provide a “user not present” state to the machine so you can walk away, know that your recording is going to happen (or not be interrupted) while not badgering the user with a screen, audio, etc. It is *not* intended to be a power management state.

For example, to allow the computer to enter Away Mode when sharing media.

The Allow Away Mode Policy setting in Power Options allows users to specify yes or no if away mode is to be enabled for your computer.

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Allow Away Mode Policy setting under Sleep in Power Options for all users in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to add or remove this setting in Power Options.


 CONTENTS:

  • Option One: Add or Remove "Allow Away Mode Policy" in Power Options using Command Prompt
  • Option Two: Add or Remove "Allow Away Mode Policy" in Power Options using REG file


EXAMPLE: "Allow Away Mode Policy" setting in Power Options
Add or Remove Allow Away Mode Policy from Power Options in Windows-allow_away_mode_policy.png






OPTION ONE

Add or Remove "Allow Away Mode Policy" in Power Options using Command Prompt


1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Type the command below you want to use into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.

(Add)
REG ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\25DFA149-5DD1-4736-B5AB-E8A37B5B8187 /v Attributes /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f

OR

(Remove - default)
powercfg -attributes SUB_SLEEP 25DFA149-5DD1-4736-B5AB-E8A37B5B8187 +ATTRIB_HIDE

3. You can now close the elevated command prompt if you like.






OPTION TWO

Add or Remove "Allow Away Mode Policy" in Power Options using REG file



The downloaded .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\25DFA149-5DD1-4736-B5AB-E8A37B5B8187

Attributes DWORD

1 = Remove
2 = Add


1. Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Add "Allow Away Mode Policy" to Power Options

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Add_Allow_Away_Mode_Policy_to_Power_Options.reg

Download


 3. To Remove "Allow Away Mode Policy" from Power Options

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Remove_Allow_Away_Mode_Policy_from_Power_Options.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


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