Among other things, Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system should allow owners to use their Windows 8 laptops or tablets slightly longer than laptops and tablets running Windows 7.

By default, Windows 8 includes support for ambient light sensors so a device can self-adjust the screen brightness. It also includes easy-to-use controls to adjust brightness wherever the user is. Of course, better battery life doesn’t just end with the operating system. The devices we have today have more power efficient processors than we could have imagined during the lifetime of Windows 7.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t always mean users can expect long battery life. In some special cases, what goes on in Windows 8 can directly affect the battery life of Windows 8 laptops and tablets. Here’s how to fix bad Windows 8 battery life and make your laptop or tablet last longer when you need it.

Close Desktop Apps You Are Not Using

Desktop apps like iTunes are still used to get most users’ work done, even in Windows 8. We open tons of apps every day, and before you know it, they take up the whole screen. Sometimes turning them off doesn’t mean they’re gone. Instead, they may be hiding in the background, summoning processor power and sipping your device’s memory.

Close any desktop apps you are not using. Once you’ve done that, click or tap the arrow on the Desktop’s Taskbar. or long tap to close those apps as well.

As you use more and more Windows Store apps, you’ll realize that this isn’t a problem for those apps. This is because they freeze when not on your screen and save resources for the apps you are currently using.

Adjust Your Screen Brightness

The biggest drain on a laptop or tablet’s battery isn’t the processor or hard drive – but they can certainly be a factor. No, the biggest power draw is what you’re expected to keep your eyes on: the screen.

Most Windows 8 laptops and tablets have high-resolution displays, but are still LCD. This means that the screen needs backlighting so that users can actually see what the screen is showing. I mentioned earlier that Windows 8 includes built-in support for ambient light sensors like those used in smartphones. This allows Windows to measure how bright a room is and adjust the screen’s backlight accordingly.

Unfortunately, some Windows 8 laptops do not include light sensors. Also sometimes the ambient light sensor can be wrong and give you too much backlight. Either way, you’ll want to manually change the brightness level on your device.

Mouse and keyboard users, place your mouse cursor in the top right or corner of their screen to reveal the Charms Bar. Click on it now.

Then click the icon in the Settings menu.

Tablet users do the same by placing their finger on the right edge of the screen and swiping left to open the Charms Bar. Then tap on it.

Now tap on it to set it up.

Adjust the brightness of your device so that it is hard to see and not completely high. The lower the screen brightness, the more you save battery life.

Turn Off Wireless Options You Are Not Using

You can’t see them, but every Windows 8 laptop or desktop computer has two wireless components that allow them to communicate with other devices. You’re likely quite familiar with the first one: Wi-Fi.

When Wi-Fi is turned on, it’s how your device communicates with wireless routers and connects you to the internet. If you’re on a plane, train, or car, you probably won’t be using Wi-Fi. You can turn it off to save battery life.

If you have a mouse and keyboard, move the mouse cursor to the corner of your screen to reveal the Charms Bar. Click .

Next, click the Network button in the first row of settings under .NET.

Click the button to turn off Wi-Fi and save some battery life.

Tablet users must place their finger on the r of their device’s screen and swipe it to reveal the Charms Bar. then tap on

Tap the network button.

Above this Wi-Fi switch is another switch called This switch turns off all external communications from your device, including Bluetooth, the second most widely used wireless technology. Today, Bluetooth is mostly used to connect with car stereos and smartphones. If you don’t plan to use either one, simply turn this switch on.

Bluetooth can be turned off separately by opening the Charms Bar and tapping or clicking the Settings Charm.

Tapping or clicking the button instead of the network button will take you to the app.

Tap or click on the right.

Then tap or click .

Tap to disable Bluetooth and save power.

Switch to Power Saver Mode

Switching to Power Saver mode does most of the things mentioned here, though instantaneously with the push of a button.

Go to by tapping or clicking the Live Tile.

Keyboard and mouse users should use the icon at the far right of the taskbar. Tablet users should tap the icon.

Tap or click . Windows will reduce your device’s screen brightness almost instantly, giving you a little more time to finish your work before connecting to a PC.

These tips are only workarounds, saving battery life when you need it most. If you’re noticing that your Windows 8 laptop, tablet, or 2-in-1 is experiencing chronic battery life issues like never before, it might be time to look into a new battery. Many larger laptops still have removable batteries that you can replace yourself. Thin laptops, 2-in-1s, and tablets don’t, so you’ll have to send the battery back to the manufacturer for replacement.

Good luck.