InstantGo

InstantGo, also known as InstantOn or Modern Standby (formerly Connected Standby),{{Cite web|url = http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2014/06/19/instantgo-a-better-way-to-sleep.aspx|title = InstantGo: a better way to sleep|date = 19 June 2014|access-date = 6 July 2014|website = Windows Experience Blog|publisher = Microsoft|last = Chin|first = Kevin A|archive-date = 2 July 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140702111255/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2014/06/19/instantgo-a-better-way-to-sleep.aspx|url-status = dead}} is a Microsoft specification for Windows 8 (and later) hardware and software that aims to bring smartphone-type power management capabilities to the PC platform, as well as increasing physical security.

Description

The specification describes a Microsoft proprietary standard for Windows 8 software and hardware that developers and hardware vendors can optionally comply with to enable devices to be turned on and off instantly. It also allows the operating system to continue performing background tasks, such as updating content from apps, when a device is not being used. Devices must be able to turn on in less than 500 milliseconds.{{sfn|Intel-2013|p=1}} The hardware requirements extend to battery life, in that systems must not drain more than 5% of battery capacity while idle over a 16-hour period.{{cite web|title=Windows Hardware Certification Requirements: Client and Server Systems|url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/D/F/ADF5BEDE-C0FB-4CC0-A3E1-B38093F50BA1/windows8-hardware-cert-requirements-system.pdf|publisher=Microsoft|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611164700/http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/D/F/ADF5BEDE-C0FB-4CC0-A3E1-B38093F50BA1/windows8-hardware-cert-requirements-system.pdf|archive-date=2014-06-11}}

It requires the following:

A firmware flag indicating support for the standard
The boot volume must not use a hard disk drive
Support for NDIS 6.30 by all network devices
Passive cooling on standby
Trusted Platform Module 2.0
CPU, chipset and BIOS support for S0ix "Low Power S0 Idle" power state
All peripheral devices and drivers must support D3cold{{Cite web |last=windows-driver-content |title=Prepare hardware for modern standby |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/prepare-hardware-for-modern-standby |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}

On Windows 8.1, supporting InstantGo and having a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip will allow the device to use a passive device encryption system.{{cite web|title=Windows 8.1 includes seamless, automatic disk encryption—if your PC supports it|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/10/windows-8-1-includes-seamless-automatic-disk-encryption-if-your-pc-supports-it/|work=Ars Technica|date=17 October 2013 |access-date=18 October 2013}}{{cite web|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|title=In Blue: Device Encryption|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-device-encryption|work=Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows|publisher=Penton Media|access-date=June 10, 2013|date=June 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609041130/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-device-encryption|archive-date=June 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}

Compliant platforms also enables full BitLocker Device encryption. A background service that encrypts the whole system which can be found in 'Windows Security'>'Device Encryption' page in Windows 10 and 11.

Limitations

Systems that support this specification are incapable of booting legacy BIOS operating systems.{{Cite web | publisher = Microsoft | url = http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/jj128256.aspx | title = Windows Hardware Certification Requirements for Client and Server Systems |work = MSDN | date = 17 January 2014|quote = System.Fundamentals.Firmware.CS.UEFISecureBoot.ConnectedStandby ... Platforms shall be UEFI Class Three (see UEFI Industry Group, Evaluating UEFI using Commercially Available Platforms and Solutions, version 0.3, for a definition) with no Compatibility Support Module installed or installable. BIOS emulation and legacy PC/AT boot must be disabled.}} PCs with Modern Standby also cannot manually enter the Sleep power state and OEMs will often block S3 power state at the firmware level. In addition to that, Power Options from Control Panel have less advanced power plan settings. {{Cite web|url =https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Inspiron-5502-S3-sleep-unsupported/td-p/8041121 | title = Inspiron 5502, S3 sleep unsupported|date = 23 September 2021|access-date = 16 January 2023|website = Dell}}

Issues

Microsoft's Modern Standby has experienced bugs that cause battery drain issues while the laptop is supposedly suspended. This has prevented some reviewers from recommending Windows laptops.[https://linustechtips.com/topic/1471711-microsoft-is-forcing-me-to-buy-macbooks-windows-modern-standby/ Microsoft is Forcing me to Buy MacBooks - Windows Modern Standby][https://binaryfork.com/fix-laptop-battery-drain-heat-up-sleep-8142/ Fix Battery Drain and Laptop Heats Up During Sleep Mode by Tweaking Modern Standby Policies]

InstantGo

Description

Limitations

Issues

See also

References

Further reading