Many Microsoft Windows 7 users have started to notice a decline in their batteries longevity. At first they were confused thinking it was the BIOS drivers that needed to be upgraded, but then began to notice that others who installed Microsoft Windows 7 had the same problem.
The problem is not prone to desktops, but laptops and notebooks as well. Even a brand new battery does not stand a chance with Windows 7 operating system.
There may be a class action suit taking place soon so be on the lookout if you have encountered this problem already. Be sure to take necessary precautions, like making sure it is not your computer causing the problems. Take your computer down to your local shop to get it inspected to see what the culprit is. More than likely, it will be windows 7.
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This is great to know! Thanks for the information, this will cause me to second guess purchasing Windows 7
I have this problem and trying to find out how to deal with it
I wish I had a solution for this problem, as I am having the same issues with my laptop running on Windows 7
I have experienced this problem myself and am currently in dire need of a solution to fix this problem. If anyone has a solution please share it!
Thanks for sharing this info. I don't use MS Windows 7 but my friend does. And this is basically his problem. I will tell him to get it inspected from where he bought it so that the warranty would be used. But is there any action from MS like recalling all those items that uses this?
I've been in IT for 25 years. Windows 7 has not created this issue. The battery warning is a new function in Windows 7 that was not there in earlier Windows versions.
The laptops now have an electronic circuit to determine if the battery is not operating as designed. The BIOS of the laptop reads the results of this battery test and makes the results available for the operating system to read. Windows 7 simply reads the result of the BIOS test.
Lastly, people need to be aware that the power settings of their operating system determine how intensively the system drains power from the battery. If the user changes the settings from Power Saver to Performance for example the system will use much more power. This effects the battery life. Additionally the performance option will also prevent the hard drive from shutting off regularly. The extra heat if near the battery can effect the battery.
It is the user that has this choice to accept the degraded battery life for extra performance or to choose a lower power mode and longer battery life.
I have seen specs on batteries for laptops rated at as little as 300 charging cycles before the battery needs replacing. If you charge the laptop twice a day because you are using performance mode, this means in about 5 months your battery will be unable to maintain a charge.
My recommendation is whenever possible plug in the laptop while in use. You won't be using the battery if it is plugged in and it won't need to go through a charging cycle thus extending it's life. If you don't figure you will be buying new batteries regularly.
Another good reason to just stick with xp,and not buy anymore Microsoft products.
Sounds like what Microsoft will need to do is either a) optimize their O/S so that it does NOT eat up battery power or b) design a Microsoft Windows 7 Mobile Version – cut out anything in the O/S that is not necessary to run on notebooks and laptops, or give options to make the O/S run more efficiently.
Either that, or this will be yet another reason for people to ditch Microslop and go to either Linux or Apple Macintosh!
I have several clients using Win7 in various flavors and apart from the usual problems with batteries caused by notebooks being used as substitute desktop machines; I haven't noticed any increased usage since upgrading them to Win7.
@SEO Optimisers – I don't see anything in this "article" which even suggests evidence, other than anecdotal. As a technician of 10+ years I would be interested to know what exactly makes you feel Win7 may be causing battery problems. No I do not work for the evil empire — but it does keep me gainfully employed :p