The Ultimate Guide: How to Turn Off Smart Charging on Your Surface Pro 8

The Surface Pro 8 boasts an impressive array of features, including its intelligent Smart Charging technology. This feature aims to optimize battery life by adjusting charging speeds based on usage patterns. However, some users might prefer to take control of their charging process, opting for a more consistent charging experience or prioritizing faster charging in specific scenarios. If you’re one of those users, you might be wondering: “How to turn off smart charging Surface Pro 8?” This guide will walk you through the steps to disable Smart Charging and empower you to manage your Surface Pro 8’s charging behavior.

Understanding Smart Charging

Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what Smart Charging is and why it might be beneficial or inconvenient for you.
Smart Charging, as the name suggests, intelligently adjusts the charging speed of your Surface Pro 8 based on your usage habits. It aims to:

• Extend Battery Life: By slowing down charging when the device is not actively used, Smart Charging aims to reduce wear and tear on the battery, thereby extending its lifespan.
• Optimize Charging Time: When you’re actively using your Surface Pro 8, Smart Charging prioritizes faster charging to ensure you have ample power to work or play.

However, some users might find Smart Charging to be:

• Inconsistent: The fluctuating charging speeds might lead to unpredictable battery levels, making it difficult to plan your day around your device’s power.
• Unnecessary: If you prefer to control your charging process completely, Smart Charging might feel like an unwanted intervention.

Disabling Smart Charging: The Simple Steps

Turning off Smart Charging on your Surface Pro 8 is a straightforward process. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Open Settings: Click the “Start” button in the bottom left corner of your screen and select “Settings.”
2. Navigate to System: In the Settings window, click on “System.”
3. Choose Power & Battery: From the left-hand menu, select “Power & Battery.”
4. Locate Battery Usage: Scroll down the Power & Battery page until you find the “Battery Usage” section.
5. Toggle Smart Charging: Click the toggle switch next to “Smart Charging” to turn it off.
Once you’ve disabled Smart Charging, your Surface Pro 8 will charge at a consistent speed regardless of your usage patterns.

The Impact of Disabling Smart Charging

Turning off Smart Charging will provide you with consistent charging speeds, but it’s important to understand the potential implications:

• Faster Charging: You’ll enjoy faster charging speeds, especially when your device is plugged in and not actively used.
• Potential Battery Wear: While not a major concern, disabling Smart Charging might lead to slightly faster battery degradation over time, as the battery is consistently charged at a higher rate.
• Loss of Battery Optimization: You’ll lose the benefits of Smart Charging’s intelligent battery management, which aims to maximize battery life.

When to Consider Disabling Smart Charging

While Smart Charging is generally beneficial for most users, there are specific scenarios where you might want to disable it:

• Need for Fast Charging: If you need to charge your Surface Pro 8 quickly, disabling Smart Charging will ensure the fastest possible charging speed.
• Consistent Charging: If you prefer predictable charging behavior and want to avoid fluctuating battery levels, disabling Smart Charging can help.
• Battery Calibration: Some users might choose to disable Smart Charging to calibrate their battery, which involves fully charging and discharging the battery to ensure accurate battery level readings.

Reclaiming Control: The Advantages of Disabling Smart Charging

Disabling Smart Charging on your Surface Pro 8 can offer several advantages:

• Predictable Charging: You’ll experience consistent charging speeds, making it easier to plan your day around your device’s power.
• Faster Charging: Enjoy faster charging times, especially when your device is plugged in and not actively used.
• Customization: You’ll gain full control over your charging process, allowing you to prioritize speed or battery life based on your needs.

Unlocking the Power of Choice

Ultimately, the decision of whether to disable Smart Charging on your Surface Pro 8 depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you value predictable charging behavior, faster charging speeds, and complete control over your device’s power, disabling Smart Charging might be the best choice. However, if you’re comfortable with Smart Charging’s intelligent battery management and prefer to optimize battery life, then keeping Smart Charging enabled might be more suitable.

Questions We Hear a Lot

1. Will disabling Smart Charging damage my battery?
Disabling Smart Charging will not damage your battery. However, it might lead to slightly faster battery degradation over time, as the battery is consistently charged at a higher rate.
2. Does disabling Smart Charging affect performance?
No, disabling Smart Charging will not affect the performance of your Surface Pro 8.
3. Can I re-enable Smart Charging after disabling it?
Yes, you can re-enable Smart Charging at any time by following the same steps outlined in this guide.
4. How often should I fully charge and discharge my Surface Pro 8’s battery?
It’s not necessary to fully charge and discharge your Surface Pro 8’s battery regularly. Modern batteries are designed to handle frequent charging cycles.
5. Can I use third-party apps to manage my Surface Pro 8’s battery?
While there are third-party apps available, it’s generally recommended to use the built-in battery management features provided by Microsoft.