Keep Your PC Awake with a Simple PowerShell Script

Are you tired of your computer going to sleep or your screen locking during important tasks or presentations? Whether you’re downloading large files, attending long online meetings, or simply need your PC to stay active, a simple PowerShell script can help keep your system awake by simulating minimal user activity. In this post, we’ll walk you through a PowerShell script that subtly moves your mouse to prevent your computer from entering sleep mode.

Understanding the StayActive.ps1 Script

The PowerShell script, StayActive.ps1, leverages Windows API functions to simulate mouse movements, effectively keeping your system active without any noticeable changes on your screen. Here’s the script:

powershellCopy code<code># StayActive.ps1
Add-Type -TypeDefinition @"
using System;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

public class Mouse {
    [DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, CallingConvention = CallingConvention.StdCall)]
    public static extern void mouse_event(uint dwFlags, uint dx, uint dy, uint cButtons, uint dwExtraInfo);
}
"@ -Language CSharp

$MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE = 0x0001

while ($true) {
    [Mouse]::mouse_event($MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE, 1, 1, 0, 0)
    Start-Sleep -s 1
    [Mouse]::mouse_event($MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE, 4294967295, 4294967295, 0, 0)
    Start-Sleep -m 4
}
</code>

Let’s break down how this script works.

Breaking Down the Script

1. Adding a Custom C# Type:

Add-Type -TypeDefinition @"
using System;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

public class Mouse {
    [DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto, CallingConvention = CallingConvention.StdCall)]
    public static extern void mouse_event(uint dwFlags, uint dx, uint dy, uint cButtons, uint dwExtraInfo);
}
"@ -Language CSharp

This segment defines a new C# class named Mouse within the PowerShell session. It imports the mouse_event function from the user32.dll library, which is a Windows API used to simulate mouse actions such as movement and clicks.

2. Defining Mouse Event Constants:

$MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE = 0x0001

The constant $MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE is set to 0x0001, which indicates a mouse movement event.

3. Infinite Loop to Simulate Mouse Movement:

while ($true) {
    [Mouse]::mouse_event($MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE, 1, 1, 0, 0)
    Start-Sleep -s 1
    [Mouse]::mouse_event($MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE, 4294967295, 4294967295, 0, 0)
    Start-Sleep -m 4
}

This loop runs indefinitely (while ($true)) and performs the following actions:

First Mouse Movement:

[Mouse]::mouse_event($MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE, 1, 1, 0, 0)

This command moves the mouse cursor by (1,1) pixels. The mouse_event function takes parameters that specify the type of event and the movement’s distance along the X (dx) and Y (dy) axes.

Pause:

Start-Sleep -s 1

The script pauses for 1 second.

Reversing the Mouse Movement:

[Mouse]::mouse_event($MOUSEEVENTF_MOVE, 4294967295, 4294967295, 0, 0)

Here, 4294967295 is the unsigned integer representation of -1 (since 0xFFFFFFFF is equivalent to -1 in two’s complement). This effectively moves the mouse cursor back by (-1,-1) pixels, returning it to its original position.

Short Pause:

Start-Sleep -m 4

The script pauses for 4 milliseconds before the next iteration.

How to Use the Script

1. Save the Script:Copy the StayActive.ps1 script into a text editor and save it with the .ps1 extension, for example, StayActive.ps1.
2. Run PowerShell as Administrator:To execute scripts, you might need to run PowerShell with administrative privileges, especially if your system’s execution policy restricts script execution.
3. Set Execution Policy (If Necessary):If you encounter an execution policy error, you can adjust the policy temporarily by running:
   Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass
   Note: Be cautious when changing execution policies, as they are in place to protect your system from running untrusted scripts.
4. Execute the Script:Navigate to the directory containing StayActive.ps1 and run:
   .\StayActive.ps1
   The script will start running, and your mouse cursor will subtly move every second to prevent the system from going idle.
5. Stopping the Script:To stop the script, simply close the PowerShell window or press Ctrl + C in the PowerShell console.

Use Cases

• Preventing Sleep During Long Downloads:
  If you’re downloading large files or updates, preventing the system from sleeping ensures that the download completes without interruption.
• During Presentations or Screen Sharing:
  Keep your screen active and avoid unexpected lock screens that can disrupt presentations or remote sessions.
• Automated Tasks:
  For automated scripts or processes that might be sensitive to system inactivity, keeping the system awake ensures smooth operation.

Conclusion

With a simple PowerShell script like StayActive.ps1, you can effectively keep your computer awake by simulating minor mouse movements. This approach offers a lightweight and customizable solution to prevent your system from entering sleep mode during critical tasks. Whether you’re a developer, presenter, or someone who frequently faces sleep mode interruptions, this script can be a valuable addition to your toolkit.

Feel free to customize the script’s parameters, such as the movement distance or sleep intervals, to better suit your specific needs. Happy coding!