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AwakeTab vs PowerToys Awake

If you can install PowerToys, Awake is the stronger Windows tool: it keeps the PC awake whatever is in front, for a set time or until a date and time, with the screen off or on. AwakeTab fits when you can't install software, or when you want a countdown and a status you can see. It holds only while its browser tab stays visible.

Sources checked Saturday, 26 September 20263 min readBy Soubhik Biswas

Side by side

PowerToys Awake is one of Microsoft's PowerToys utilities. It tells Windows the machine must stay awake without touching your power plan. It also runs from the command line as PowerToys.Awake.exe, and --pid ends it when a given process exits. AwakeTab works through the browser: in Chrome or Edge, a visible AwakeTab tab asks Windows to keep the display on, and while it does, Windows does not idle-sleep. Facts about Awake come from Microsoft Learn, checked 26 September 2026. Rows marked Same are real ties.

How it keeps Windows awakeAwakeTab: Screen Wake Lock API; the browser asks Windows to keep the display onPowerToys Awake: Power request from a background app
With the tab hidden or no window openAwakeTab: Stops. The pill says "Paused" and asks again when you return.PowerToys Awake: Keeps holding. It has no tab.
ScreenAwakeTab: On while the lock holdsPowerToys Awake: Off by default, on with "Keep screen on"
When it endsAwakeTab: After a set time, at a clock time such as 5:30 PM, or when you stop itPowerToys Awake: With no end, after a time interval, or at a date and time
InstallAwakeTab: None, open a web pagePowerToys Awake: PowerToys installer; may need admin rights on a managed PC
PlatformsAwakeTab: Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, iPhone, iPadPowerToys Awake: Windows
PriceAwakeTab: FreePowerToys Awake: Free, open source
Last releaseAwakeTab: Web app, see the changelogPowerToys Awake: PowerToys 0.101, August 2026
Facts checkedSameAwakeTab: 26 September 2026PowerToys Awake: 26 September 2026

When PowerToys Awake is the better choice

It is a good tool. In these cases we would send you there.

  1. A long job where the screen can go darkA build, a large download or an AI agent in a terminal needs the PC awake, not the display. Awake does that and saves the power a lit screen would use. Keep your computer awake while an AI agent or long build runs compares the options.
  2. You live in other apps all dayAwake holds while you work full screen in Excel or a game. A tab can't.
  3. You script your setupThe command-line flags tie Awake to a task's lifetime.

When AwakeTab is the better choice

These are the jobs AwakeTab was built for.

  1. You can't install PowerToysOn a work laptop with no admin rights, a web page may be the only tool available. It leaves sign-in and lock policies as IT set them.
  2. You want to see the state from across the roomPresenting, a wall dashboard or a report you read without touching: the pill says "Awake" only once the browser grants the lock.
  3. You want a timed session with an end you can seePick 1 h or an end time such as 5:30 PM. A chime and a "Time's up" prompt let you add 15 minutes.
  4. You also use a Mac, Chromebook or phoneThe same page works there.
  5. You like Awake's two levelsAwakeTab for Chrome has a similar pair for Chrome and Edge: Screen keeps the display on, System keeps only the computer awake, and both keep working when the tab is hidden.

Neither keeps a locked PC's screen on

Microsoft says Awake doesn't work while the lock screen is showing, because the lock screen runs in a separate security context. A browser tab can't help there either. Windows also turns the monitor off about 60 seconds after you lock the PC, separately from your normal timeout. Windows 11 screen turns off after 1 minute explains the powercfg setting Microsoft documents for it.

Confirm which one is working

In an administrator terminal, run powercfg /requests. With AwakeTab showing "Awake" in Chrome or Edge, the browser appears under DISPLAY. The Windows settings behind this are in Keep the screen on in Windows 11 and 10.

Try it hereTry itStart a session, switch tabs, then come back and watch the pill. Ends at … if you start now.Start a 1-hour session

Questions

By default Awake keeps the computer awake but lets the displays turn off. Turn on the “Keep screen on” switch in Awake's settings, or pass --display-on true when you run it from the command line.

Soubhik Biswas · Builds AwakeTab. Sources checked Saturday, 26 September 2026. About AwakeTab