Caffeine

Caffeine for Windows is a lightweight and user-friendly tool that simulates keystrokes to prevent your Windows operating system from going to sleep or locking up. It is the best solution for users who continuously work on a computer, as locking the screen or putting the PC to sleep creates a frustrating situation. 

Caffeine helps to fix the issue by simulating a keypress every 59 seconds and gives the impression that you are actively attending to your PC. It helps to avoid the use of a screensaver or making any changes to the desktop settings. 

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine for Windows, developed by ZhornSoftware, belongs to the Utilities & Tools category is a popular utility to keep your PC awake, even if you can’t attend to it for a long time. The modern PCs, specifically Windows 10, are designed to activate the screensaver in case of inactivity for some time. The screensaver goes to power down. 

The simple and lightweight utility offers quick pressing of keys from your keyboard after every 59 seconds, and keeps your system active to make sure you are using your keyboard. It is the best solution to operate long or complex tasks, including downloads, presentations, media streaming, and so on. 

Caffeine Features

Installation & Usability

The app needs no installation process; instead, move to the folder within the zip file, and unzip the compressed file. Right-clicking on the .exe file will help to launch the app. You have the option to select version: 32-bit and 64-bit. Now, click on the coffee maker icon from your taskbar. You can use it by enabling it, or deactivate it if you don’t require it.

Configure Time Duration

The software offers services for a selected time, and after the time is over, the default position of your system is active. You can configure the time duration while clicking on the “Active For” option. It will give you options of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 24 hours to select according to your requirements. 

In addition, you can deactivate the time period while clicking the “Inactive For”, and select the time duration for inactivity, such as 2 hours. It will help in keeping of screensaver settings, and save your hard disk from powering down. 

Command Line Options

Along with default settings, you also have the command line option equipped with a huge list of commands. You can use the commands to make changes in the default behavior. The list of commands is available on the official website. It works similarly to the Windows command console. 

You need to navigate to the command directory, locate the executable, type caffeine.exe and the command you want to execute, such as “caffeine exe-oldicons”, and it will open the old program's colorful icons. However, keep in mind, the command line mode is usable only for advanced or tech-savvy users. If you are a beginner and don’t have enough command-line skills, simply move to the tray utility.

Controlled Environment

The software offers awesome services, specifically for users who keep their PC always awake, as the sleeping or locking down of the PC sometimes creates an unpleasant situation. The innovative utility gives a completely controlled environment while simulating fake keyboard inputs within a short period, and saves your PC from sleeping or locking down.

Default Key Presses

The software has the F15 key by default, which is used to press virtually every 59 seconds. Unfortunately, most keyboards don’t have this very specific key, and virtually all keystrokes can create conflicts on your PC. The F15 key is generally used in multiple productivity applications, including Google Docs, Spreadsheet, PowerPoint, etc, and in case of using such programs regularly, the users can use command line mode to type –useshift, and it will convert into F15 + Shift key. 

Customize Settings

As we aforementioned, F15 is the default key to offer keystrokes after 59 seconds, but it isn’t available on common keyboards. You can use the command line to change it, or simply customize it while emulating the Shift key, instead of the F15 key. 

Lightweight & Portable

The lightweight utility with a tiny size of less than 500KB doesn’t consume much device’s resources, and works more reliably in the background without disturbing other activities. Portability is another good point, as you can save it in your USB and take it anywhere you want.

Free to Use

The innovative app doesn’t charge any fee for providing the services. You can download it using the .exe file and start using it. It runs in the system tray, and you will find a small coffee maker icon on your taskbar. Simply double-click to activate it, and deactivating is also possible by double-clicking again.

Pros

• Fast, free, and simple to configure app
• Offers fake keystrokes every 59 seconds to prevent your 
• Lightweight and portable utility
• Use command line mode to execute different commands
• Customizable interface

Cons

• Useful in some special situations
• Command line mode is usable by advanced users only