Don't Sleep for Windows: Download, Settings and Start Parameters

Don't Sleep is a free Windows program from SoftwareOK that stops your PC from going to standby, hibernating, starting the screen saver, turning off the monitor, logging off or shutting down while it runs. It is portable: download the 267 KB zip from softwareok.com, unzip it, and run it, with no install. It does not change your Windows power plan, so closing it puts everything back. Version 10.22 came out on 20 June 2026 and runs on Windows 11, 10 and older, including Windows Server.

What it does not do is create keyboard or mouse input. The PC stays awake, but Microsoft Teams still shows you Away after about 5 minutes without input, and Slack after 10 minutes without keyboard or mouse input.

Where to download Don't Sleep

The developer's page is softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/DontSleep. The download is a zip with the program inside. Download sites such as Softonic, MajorGeeks and LO4D rank above the developer for "dont sleep download"; some wrap programs in their own installer, so take it from SoftwareOK when you can. Windows SmartScreen may warn that the app is not commonly downloaded. That is common for small freeware; check that the file came from softwareok.com before you allow it.

How Don't Sleep works

SoftwareOK's page says that, depending on the setting, Don't Sleep "reports to the operating system that it has very important tasks to do" when the screen saver or monitor-off would start, and takes the highest shutdown priority so it can intercept a shutdown before other programs close. This is the same request video players and presentation apps make, and you can see it working. With Don't Sleep running, open a Command Prompt and run:

powercfg /requests

The list shows every program that is holding off sleep or display-off, under DISPLAY and SYSTEM. Run it with Don't Sleep blocking and again after you close it to see what Don't Sleep was holding.

What each option blocks

The window also has rules based on network traffic and CPU load, so you can keep the PC awake while a download or render is busy and let it sleep once it goes quiet. For downloads specifically, see keep your computer awake while downloading.

Leave shutdown blocking off unless you need it. With it on, Don't Sleep intercepts restart requests too, which can hold up a restart you or IT asked for.

Start Don't Sleep from a batch file

SoftwareOK's FAQ lists the start parameters. This batch file starts Don't Sleep minimized in the tray, blocks standby and the screen saver with a 120-minute timer, and leaves log off and shutdown alone. What happens when the timer ends, unblock or shut down, is a choice in the timer section of the window. Use the file name from your download:

@echo off
:: keep the PC and screen awake, with a 120-minute timer
start "" "%USERPROFILE%\Tools\DontSleep\DontSleep.exe" -bg block_standby=1 block_screensaver=1 block_logoff=0 block_shutdown=0 use_timer=1 set_timer=120

To close a running copy from a script, run the program again with exit. -bg starts it minimized in the notification area.

Don't Sleep vs the other ways to keep Windows awake

• • PowerToys Awake is Microsoft's own option, with a timer and an optional keep-screen-on switch; see PowerToys Awake and Slack.
• • Caffeine presses F15 every 59 seconds, so Teams stays Available as well; see Caffeine app for Windows.
• • Built-in settings need no app at all; see how to stop your computer from sleeping.

Pick Don't Sleep when you want a portable tool with timer, CPU and network rules, and shutdown blocking. Pick Caffeine or a jiggler only if you need a chat app to stay Available, and check your company's policy first.

FAQ

What is the Don't Sleep app? A free, portable Windows program from SoftwareOK that blocks standby, hibernate, the screen saver, log off and shutdown while it runs.

Is Don't Sleep safe? The copy from softwareok.com is the developer's own build, a small freeware tool. Avoid repackaged installers from download sites.

Does Don't Sleep keep Teams or Slack active? No. It keeps the PC awake but sends no input, so Teams goes Away after about 5 minutes and Slack after 10 minutes without keyboard or mouse input.

Does Don't Sleep change my power settings? No. It blocks sleep only while it runs. Close it and Windows uses your normal power plan.

Does Don't Sleep need admin rights? No install is needed, so it usually runs without admin rights, unless your company blocks unknown apps.