Windows 11 includes a new Dynamic Refresh Rate feature to save laptop battery life

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Microsoft introduces a new Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) feature in Windows 11 that’s designed to save laptop battery life and increase refresh rates when they’re really needed.

A number of laptops now ship with displays of 120Hz and more, which make Windows feel more fluid with scrolling, animation, and inking. While the added smoothness sounds great, running at higher refresh rates takes a toll on battery life.

On Windows 10, you have to decide between 60Hz and 120Hz on a laptop, which is a consistent option. Microsoft is now creating DRR in Windows 11, which will allow the laptop to dynamically adjust the refresh rate. “This means that Windows 11 will seamlessly switch between a lower refresh rate and a higher refresh rate based on what you’re doing on your PC,” explains Anna Marta, Program Manager for Microsoft’s graphics team.

You’ll need a laptop that supports DRR and 120Hz or higher refresh rates, and the feature will mean that normal tasks like writing emails or documents will run at 60Hz, after which it will turn on DRR and boost the screen to 120Hz for inking and scrolling. Apps will need to support DRR, and during Windows 11 preview, DRR is limited to Office only to increase scrolling. It will support Office, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Whiteboard, Microsoft Photos, Snip & Sketch, Drawboard PDF, Microsoft Sticky Notes, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft To Do and Inkodo DRR for inking as well.

New DRR option in Windows 11. Image: Microsoft

DRR should not be confused with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), especially because DRR does not apply to games and focuses only on Windows applications. Windows 11 will have a DRR requirement, along with a laptop that supports a variable refresh rate of at least 120Hz. You’ll also need a new graphics driver (WDDM 3.0), and Microsoft says it’s working with its graphics rendering partners to enable DRR on a variety of devices running Windows 11 Preview.

Where DRR seems to fit naturally with the Microsoft Surface line of devices, especially thanks to Microsoft’s focus on enabling DRR in inking scenarios. There are no Surface devices currently shipping with a 120Hz display, but that could be an early sign that Microsoft may finally offer a Surface Tablet display that can rival Apple’s ProMotion displays on the iPad.

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