Manage sleep during a task with PowerToys Awake
Temporarily prevent sleep for a task while treating display behavior as a separate choice.
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What Awake changes
PowerToys Awake requests that a signed-in Windows computer stay awake without changing the selected Windows power plan. Microsoft says it does not work after sign-out or while the lock screen is displayed.
Match the mode to the task
Turn on Awake in PowerToys Settings and choose Keep using the selected power plan, Keep awake indefinitely, a time interval, or an expiration date and time. Turn on Keep screen on only when the display itself must remain available. For a 40-minute export, for example, choose a time interval, check the tray tooltip for the active mode, and verify that the output file exists when the job finishes. This is an illustrative procedure, not a test on a particular PC.
Check lock and return behavior
By default, the display can turn off while the computer stays awake. When the request expires, the normal power plan resumes. Do not assume Awake keeps a job running after sign-out or at the lock screen. In shared spaces, use normal power settings and lock the computer when stepping away.
Sources: Microsoft Learn: PowerToys Awake · Install PowerToys