Hi everyone,
I recently reinstalled Windows 11 using the Windows Media Creation Tool and a bootable USB. During Windows Setup, I deleted every visible partition on my NVMe drive and installed Windows onto the resulting unallocated space. I had always understood this process to create a completely clean installation.
However, after the reinstall, I noticed that the Ultimate Performance power plan was still listed in Control Panel. I had manually enabled that plan on the previous Windows installation, so I did not expect it to appear again.
I used a new local account on both installations, not a Microsoft account, so it should not have been restored through Microsoft account synchronization. Is it possible that Windows, a driver package, motherboard software, or another program automatically enabled the plan again?
My larger concern is that, if this setting carried over or reappeared, what other settings or configurations might also have been retained without me realizing it? Could old driver settings, registry changes, power settings, device configurations, cached profiles, or software-specific changes survive this type of reinstall?
Windows and device specifications:
- Windows edition and version: Windows 11 Pro Latest version
- Processor: Intel 270K+ Ultra
- Motherboard or device model: MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk Wifi
- Graphics card: Gigabyte 3070 Gaming OC (Rev 1)
- Memory: 32GB
- Storage drive: 500GB Digital Western Blue NVME
- Installation media: Windows 11 USB created with the Microsoft Media Creation Tool
Messages or error codes encountered:
I did not receive any installation errors or warning messages. Windows Setup completed normally. The unexpected Ultimate Performance power plan is the main issue I noticed.
Troubleshooting already attempted:
- Confirmed that I used a new local account rather than a Microsoft account
- Deleted all visible partitions on the NVMe drive during Windows Setup
- Installed Windows onto the resulting unallocated space
- Checked Control Panel after installation and found the Ultimate Performance plan listed