Something keeps changing Processor Max Frequency in Windows Power Plan, is that Intel drivers?

[PTwr]

Hello,

I got a laptop with Ultra 9 285H and I observed weird behavior of which I am unsure if its Windows, Intel drivers, or OEM bloatware. I do not observe that on my other Intel-powered devices, but none of them is from new Ultra series.

Something constantly writes to registry keys holding "Maximum Processor Frequency" (level 0, which is "performance" cores), which prevents me from setting up an "ultra low wattage" power plan.

As its executed by svchost, its annoying to pinpoint. Process has only Microsoft binaries loaded, and from stacktrace it looks like some RPC done through service for elevated privileges (those registry keys have annoying ACL where normal Admin can't edit them).

Given that the behavior is idiotic, and even includes Buffer Overflow's, I'd place my bets on OEM bloatware. But it does not hurt to ask just in case.

Is that something done by Intel drivers?

[PTwr]

Here's better screenshot:

Some garbage first checks Power Settings, to figure out which registry keys hold Processor Max Frequency. Then it changes the settings for Windows default "Balanced" (381b4222....) and for my custom plan (a1dc4b4c...).

54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00 is Procesor directory, 75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100 is Performance Core Max Frequency, Efficiency Cores ends with 101. (Low power, ending with 102, are not changed)

[DeancR_Intel]

Hi PTwr,

Thank you for contacting Intel support regarding the unusual registry behavior you're observing with your Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor. I appreciate the detailed screenshots and technical analysis you've provided - this level of documentation is very helpful for understanding the issue.

Your observation about constant writes to the "Maximum Processor Frequency" registry keys for performance cores (level 0) is indeed concerning, especially since it's preventing you from setting up an ultra-low wattage power plan. The fact that this behavior includes what appears to be buffer overflows makes it even more problematic.

Based on your analysis showing:

• Registry modifications to both Windows default "Balanced" power plan and your custom plan
• Specific targeting of Performance Core Max Frequency settings (75b0ae3f-bce0-45a7-8c89-c9611c25e100)
• Execution through svchost with elevated privileges via RPC calls
• Behavior not observed on your other Intel-powered devices (non-Ultra series)

This could potentially be related to:

1. Intel's new power management features specific to the Ultra 9 285H processor
2. OEM-specific power management software
3. Windows power management interactions with the new Ultra series architecture

Just to be thorough in our investigation, I also recommend contacting your laptop's OEM (manufacturer) regarding this issue. Since you mentioned this behavior is not observed on your other Intel devices and given the nature of the registry modifications, there's a possibility this could be related to OEM-specific power management software or system optimization utilities that may have been pre-installed on your laptop. OEMs sometimes implement their own power management solutions that can interact with or override standard Intel power management features. They would have the most comprehensive knowledge of any proprietary software or drivers specific to your laptop model that might be causing this behavior.

Best regards, 

Dean R. 

Intel Customer Support Technician