Managing power settings might not sound exciting, but it’s a crucial part of IT device management. Among the most impactful configurations are System Sleep Timeout and Unattended Sleep Timeout. These settings determine how long a device stays awake—whether someone is actively using it or it’s working quietly in the background.
Understanding these two settings and their differences can significantly improve energy efficiency, prevent workflow disruptions, and ensure compliance with company policies. In this article, I will explain the differences between the two settings and how they can be deployed using Intune
So, what’s the difference?
- System Sleep Timeout is all about how long a device waits after you stop using it before it decides to take a nap (sleep mode).
- Unattended Sleep Timeout kicks in during tasks that don’t require user interaction—think system updates, file transfers, or backups.
Why should you care?
Imagine this: you’ve scheduled a large system update or file backup overnight, only to find it incomplete the next morning because the device went to sleep halfway through. That’s where the Unattended Sleep Timeout becomes a lifesaver—it ensures processes like these have enough time to finish. Meanwhile, the System Sleep Timeout helps keep devices ready to use while saving energy when idle.
System Sleep Timeout
How to Configure (Step-by-Step Instructions)
- Access Microsoft Intune: Log in to Microsoft Intune and navigate to: Devices > Windows > Configuration Profiles > Create New Policy.
- Create a Profile: Platform: Select Windows 10 and later. Profile Type: Choose Template > Administrative Template.
- Name Your Profile: Example: Power Settings – System Sleep Timeout.
- Configure Settings: Go to Computer Configuration > System > Power Management > Sleep Settings and select one or both of the following: Specify the system sleep timeout (on battery) Specify the system sleep timeout (plugged in) Set the configuration to Enabled. Input the desired time in seconds (e.g., 1800 seconds for 30 minutes).
- Assign and Deploy: Add scope tags if applicable. Assign the profile to the appropriate devices or groups. Click Review + Create to finalize deployment.
Verifying the Policy
To verify the applied policy, sync the test device using the Company Portal. Then, navigate to: Control Panel > Power Options > Edit Plan Settings
You should see that the “Put the computer to sleep” settings are locked, preventing end users from making changes. The configuration should reflect the values set in your Intune policy.
Unattended Sleep Timeout
How to Configure (Step-by-Step Instructions)
- Access Microsoft Intune Log in at Microsoft Intune and navigate to: Devices > Windows > Configuration > Create > New Policy.
- Create a Profile Platform: Choose Windows 10 and later. Profile Type: Select Settings Catalog.
- Name Your Profile Example: Power Settings – Unattended Sleep Timeout.
- Set Configuration Options Add settings via the picker: Search for Power and select: Unattended Sleep Timeout On Battery Unattended Sleep Timeout Plugged In. Enter the desired time in seconds (e.g., 5400 seconds for 90 minutes).
- Assign and Deploy Add scope tags if applicable. Assign the policy to your target devices (e.g., all devices or specific groups). Click Review + Create.
Verifying the Policy
After deployment:
- Reboot Required: Ensure devices are restarted to apply the policy.
- Check in Power Options: Navigate to: Control Panel > Power Options > Edit Plan Settings > Advanced Power Settings.
Note: The Unattended Sleep Timeout setting is hidden by default and need to be unlocked Hidden Settings via Registry Editor
- Open Registry Editor.
- Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\7bc4a2f9-d8fc-4469-b07b-33eb785aaca0.
- Change the Attribute value from 1 to 2.
- Close the Registry Editor to make Unattended Sleep Timeout visible in advanced power settings.
Conclusion
Properly configuring System Sleep Timeout and Unattended Sleep Timeout through Intune ensures a balance between energy efficiency and operational effectiveness. These settings help organisations prevent disruptions during critical background tasks while maintaining control over device power usage. By applying these policies, IT administrators can streamline power management, enhance user productivity, and align with organisational compliance. Whether for remote workers, office environments, or automated tasks, these configurations offer a tailored approach to modern IT power management
Have you configured Unattended Sleep Timeout in your environment? Share your experiences, tips, or challenges in the comments below!
