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Is there any tool (for Windows 7) to set a threshold for when the laptop battery should stop charging? I could use the Lenovo Power Manager, however I actually prefer Windows' native power management for the other tasks.

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What is your outer problem? – David Schwartz Mar 2 '12 at 14:44
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I agree with @DavidSchwartz, what is it that you're trying to accomplish, overall? – Raystafarian Mar 2 '12 at 18:25
The charger control interface is not standardized -- you need to use the manufacturer's tool. – Daniel R Hicks Mar 26 '12 at 11:26
Also, check this question if you (most likely) have a Li-Ion battery, superuser.com/q/5853/147104 – FredrikD Jul 29 '12 at 14:37

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If I understand your question, you are trying to keep your battery at a level lower than 100% (let's say 40%). I wanted the same thing in the past because I used my laptop mainly as a desktop, and keeping the battery at 100% all the time was not necessary and not healthy for it. What I found is that even though in theory it is possible to find software controlling the level of the battery while the OS is running, when the computer is powered off/put to sleep, it will start charging because there is no hardware support for such feature - keeping the battery at lower level.

So in conclusion, if you have laptop different from Lenovo/ThinkPad, I think there is no way to achieve this.

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Actually, I do have a Thinkpad. I just can't stand Lenovo's power manager so I'd prefer to use Windows' manager and set the charging thresholds using a different tool. – Erik Mar 5 '12 at 16:25
Why isn't it healthy for the battery to be charged to 100%? – FredrikD Jul 29 '12 at 14:38
Looking for the same and after one hour googling, I came up to the same conclusion as Simeon. The only setting under windows seven is "balanced". I read and agree with: "According to what I know, laptop battery charge management is implemented by means of proprietary system and can be configured only by using software utilities provided by the laptop manufacturer's.". Which is my case on a (real good) Samsung's laptop for example, but recharging threshold is still adjustable to a single number of 80%, not more, not less. – hornetbzz Aug 1 '12 at 5:47
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A good practice is to unplug the laptop on occasion and let the battery drain down and plug it in when you get the warning. Batteries that are never discharged do not last as long a batteries that have been discharged. Once a battery is fully charged it should only be trickel charged and this does not happen on laptops. Charging a battery that is fully charged will shorten it's lifespan.

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Not true. 1) Laptops do not continue charging the battery once it is fully charged, and 2) a lithium-ion battery should be stored at around 40% state of charge, rather than constantly charge-cycled. If the laptop allows it, it should be operated with the battery detached instead. – DragonLord Oct 11 '12 at 5:22

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