Windows 11 Tests New Battery Indicators with Color Codes
In a significant quality-of-life update, Microsoft is testing a color-coded battery indicator in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3000 (Dev Channel). Designed to provide quick, intuitive feedback on battery life, the feature uses green, yellow, and red icons to indicate battery status: green for ample charge, yellow when power is low (triggered at 20% or below), and red when immediate charging is necessary. This visual approach complements the optional battery percentage display, which can be enabled in Settings > Power & Battery.
Microsoft has also announced plans to bring these battery indicators to the lock screen, making it even easier for users to check their battery status without logging in. However, the feature remains in testing, with no timeline for release to stable Windows builds.
One area of potential improvement is the lack of a “time to empty” feature, which could estimate how long the battery will last in hours and minutes. While laptops and smartphones lack this functionality, similar features are standard in vehicles to estimate range—a useful addition for future updates.
Another experimental feature in this build is support for typing with an Xbox gamepad on an on-screen keyboard, offering an alternative input method that some users find surprisingly efficient.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has retired its “suggested actions” feature, citing low user interest. While not every experiment succeeds, these new battery indicators seem poised to become a welcome addition to Windows 11.