Maximize Toshiba Laptop Battery Life: Tips To Extend Longevity And Optimize Usage [Updated On- 2025]

To maximize your Toshiba laptop battery life, open the Windows Start screen and type “eco Utility.” Select “eco Utility” from the results. Then, choose “Battery Lifecycle.” Turn on “eco charge mode” for the best results. Click “Close” to save your settings. Regular maintenance and checking these settings help extend battery lifespan.

Additionally, consider reducing battery cycles. Allow the battery to discharge fully only once a month. This practice helps recalibrate the battery, improving its performance and longevity. Keeping software updated is also crucial. Updates often include optimizations for battery efficiency.

Finally, store your laptop properly. If you plan not to use it for an extended period, store it with a 50% charge and in a cool, dry place.

By following these tips, Toshiba laptop users can extend their battery life considerably. Implementing these practices not only enhances usage but also saves energy. Next, we will explore specific tools and applications that assist in monitoring and optimizing laptop performance for even greater efficiency.

# Table of Contents

What Factors Most Significantly Affect Toshiba Laptop Battery Life?

The factors that most significantly affect Toshiba laptop battery life include hardware components, usage patterns, power settings, temperature, and battery age.

Hardware components
Usage patterns
Power settings
Temperature
Battery age

Considering these factors provides a comprehensive understanding of how to optimize battery performance.

Hardware Components: Hardware components significantly impact Toshiba laptop battery life. These components include the processor, graphics card, and display. High-performance components often consume more power. For instance, Toshiba laptops with dedicated graphics cards typically run out of battery faster than those with integrated graphics. A study by the IEEE in 2021 highlighted that laptops with energy-efficient processors can extend battery life by over 30% compared to those with older models.
Usage Patterns: Usage patterns play a crucial role in determining battery longevity. Activities such as gaming, video editing, or running multiple applications simultaneously drain the battery quicker than basic tasks like browsing or word processing. A 2022 report by Laptop Mag indicated that heavy usage could reduce battery life by up to 50% compared to light usage. Users should consider their work habits and optimize them for better battery life.
Power Settings: Power settings can significantly influence battery performance. Toshiba laptops come equipped with power management features that allow users to adjust settings for maximum efficiency. For example, using the “Power Saver” mode reduces screen brightness and limits processor usage to extend battery life. According to a 2020 survey by TechRadar, adjusting power settings could improve battery life by an average of 20% during a typical workday.
Temperature: Temperature affects battery chemistry and overall performance. Extreme heat can lead to faster battery depletion and may even cause damage to the battery over time. Toshiba recommends maintaining a moderate operating temperature for optimal battery health. A study from the Journal of Power Sources in 2019 found that lithium-ion batteries perform best at temperatures between 20°C and 25°C, emphasizing the importance of keeping laptops cool.
Battery Age: Battery age is a critical factor in battery life. Over time, lithium-ion batteries lose capacity and efficiency. Users may notice a significant decline in performance after one to two years of extensive use. Toshiba’s guidelines suggest replacing the battery after about 500 charge cycles to maintain performance. The 2022 study conducted by Battery University found that after approximately 500 cycles, batteries could lose up to 20% of their original capacity, affecting overall longevity.

How Can Power Settings Be Adjusted to Improve My Toshiba Laptop Battery Life?

You can improve your Toshiba laptop battery life by adjusting power settings, reducing screen brightness, and managing background applications.

First, adjusting power settings helps control energy consumption. You can access these settings by clicking on the battery icon in the taskbar. Choose the power-saving mode to limit the performance of the laptop for non-intensive tasks. This mode decreases CPU speed and limits background processes. According to a study by the Consumer Electronics Association (2019), power-saving modes can extend battery life by up to 30% when used properly.

Next, reducing screen brightness is essential. Lowering the brightness decreases the power used for the display, which is one of the largest energy consumers on laptops. A study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2020) indicates that reducing display brightness by 50% can increase battery life by approximately 20%.

Additionally, managing background applications is crucial. Close unnecessary programs that run in the background. Many applications consume CPU power and drain the battery. According to a survey conducted by Gartner (2021), approximately 30% of battery drain can be attributed to background applications. Regularly check your Task Manager to monitor CPU usage and close any non-essential programs.

Finally, enabling battery saver features can further improve battery longevity. When activated, these features automatically adjust settings like screen brightness and application activity during low battery levels.

By following these strategies, you can significantly enhance the performance and lifespan of your Toshiba laptop battery.

What Specific Power Saving Options Should I Enable?

To maximize battery life on a Toshiba laptop, consider enabling specific power-saving options available in your system settings.

Adjust Screen Brightness
Enable Battery Saver Mode
Manage Power Plans
Reduce Sleep and Hibernate Time
Disable Background Applications
Turn Off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Disconnect Unused Peripherals

These options contribute significantly to extending battery life, though different users may have varying perspectives on their effectiveness and necessity in daily use. For instance, some may emphasize screen brightness as the biggest battery drain, while others might prioritize background applications.

1. Adjust Screen Brightness:

Adjusting screen brightness reduces power usage. When the brightness is higher, it consumes more battery. Toshiba laptops often come with brightness controls, allowing users to find a comfortable level without excessive drain. A study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 2012 showed that reducing screen brightness can save about 20% in overall battery life.

2. Enable Battery Saver Mode:

Enabling Battery Saver Mode can help optimize settings for energy efficiency. This feature lowers performance levels and limits background activity to conserve power. According to Toshiba documentation, activating this mode can prolong battery life by several hours depending on usage patterns.

3. Manage Power Plans:

Managing power plans allows users to select energy-efficient settings tailored to their needs. Toshiba laptops usually include various power plans, such as ‘Balanced’ and ‘Power Saver.’ The Power Saver plan significantly restricts performance while extending battery life. The U.S. Department of Energy has noted that switching to efficient power plans can reduce electricity usage by up to 25%.

4. Reduce Sleep and Hibernate Time:

Reducing sleep and hibernate time can conserve battery while the laptop is idle. Instead of keeping a Toshiba laptop running, users can set it to enter sleep or hibernate after a short period. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory suggests that using sleep mode over leaving devices on can save approximately 75% of energy during inactivity.

5. Disable Background Applications:

Disabling background applications reduces unnecessary energy consumption. Many programs run automatically and drain battery life. Task Manager can help identify these apps. Closing them improves performance and extends battery longevity, as indicated by research from the University of Michigan, which highlights that terminated background processes can lead to significant power savings.

6. Turn Off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi:

Turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use helps conserve battery life. Toshiba laptops can be configured to disable these features quickly via function keys or settings. The Energy Star program estimates that disabling wireless connections can save 10-20% of battery life, especially when users are not connected to the internet.

7. Disconnect Unused Peripherals:

Disconnecting unused peripherals, such as external drives and mice, conserves power. These devices may draw energy even when not actively in use. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that peripherals can consume 7 to 10 watts collectively, which significantly reduces battery life on portable devices.

By implementing these strategies, Toshiba laptop users can significantly enhance their battery performance and longevity.

How Does Reducing Screen Brightness Impact Battery Longevity?

Reducing screen brightness positively impacts battery longevity. Lower brightness settings consume less power, which extends the time between charges. The screen is often one of the biggest energy consumers in devices. When you reduce brightness, you decrease the energy demand from the display. This change leads to lower overall energy consumption and can prolong battery life.

Additionally, controlling brightness can reduce heat production in devices. Excess heat can harm battery efficiency over time. By managing brightness, users can minimize heat and ultimately support longer battery performance.

In summary, lowering screen brightness directly reduces power usage. This action leads to longer battery life by cutting down energy needs and decreasing heat generation.

What Application Management Strategies Can Maximize My Toshiba Laptop Battery Life?

To maximize your Toshiba laptop battery life, employ efficient application management strategies. These strategies help reduce power consumption, leading to longer battery performance.

Adjust display settings.
Limit background applications.
Use battery saver mode.
Avoid high-performance applications.
Update software regularly.
Monitor battery health.
Optimize power plans.

To further understand how these strategies work, let’s explore each point in detail.

Adjust Display Settings: Adjusting display settings can significantly impact battery life. Reducing screen brightness and decreasing the screen timeout duration helps conserve energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the display can consume up to 35% of a laptop’s battery power.
Limit Background Applications: Limiting background applications can enhance battery efficiency. Many applications run in the background, consuming resources without your knowledge. Task Manager allows you to identify and disable these applications easily. A study by the University of California (2021) found that closing unnecessary programs can extend battery life by up to 25%.
Use Battery Saver Mode: Enabling battery saver mode optimizes system settings for maximum battery life. This mode typically lowers display brightness and restricts background activities. Toshiba laptops generally come with built-in settings to activate this feature quickly, thus improving battery longevity.
Avoid High-Performance Applications: High-performance applications can drain battery quickly. Software like video editors or games require significant processing power. The Toshiba Battery Utility suggests running less demanding software for routine tasks to prolong battery life.
Update Software Regularly: Regular software updates ensure that your laptop runs efficiently. Updates often include optimizations for power management and bug fixes that enhance battery performance. Data from Microsoft (2022) indicated that outdated software could lead to a 20% decrease in battery efficiency.
Monitor Battery Health: Monitoring battery health provides insights into its performance and longevity. Tools such as BatteryInfoView can help identify battery wear and overall condition. According to research by Battery University (2022), understanding battery health can lead to proactive management and timely replacement to avoid abrupt failures.
Optimize Power Plans: Optimizing power plans allows you to customize power settings according to your usage. Windows offers various plans, such as “Balanced” or “Power Saver,” which can be adjusted to suit your needs. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory highlights that properly configured power plans can increase battery life by 10-15%.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly enhance the battery life of your Toshiba laptop.

Which Background Applications Should I Limit for Better Efficiency?

To improve efficiency, limit background applications that consume significant system resources. This includes applications that run on startup, use excessive memory, or constantly sync data.

Resource-Intensive Applications
Startup Programs
Cloud Storage Services
Automatic Update Services
Social Media Clients
Streaming Services

Limiting these background applications can enhance system performance and battery life.

Resource-Intensive Applications: Resource-intensive applications are programs that demand a large portion of your computer’s processing power or memory. Examples include video editing programs, graphic design software, and large databases. These applications can slow down your system significantly when running in the background. According to a report by Microsoft in 2020, applications that use more than 1 GB of memory can lead to noticeable slowdowns, affecting both performance and user experience.
Startup Programs: Startup programs are applications that launch automatically when you start your computer. They can be identified and managed through the system settings. Having too many startup programs can delay boot time and consume resources unnecessarily. A study by the International Journal of Computer Applications (2016) determined that limiting startup programs can improve boot time by up to 30%.
Cloud Storage Services: Cloud storage services continuously sync files with their servers. This process can consume bandwidth and RAM. While cloud services are essential for file backup and sharing, limiting their background activity during high-performance tasks can improve efficiency. Research from TechTarget (2021) suggests that excessive syncing can hinder performance, particularly on systems with lower specifications.
Automatic Update Services: Automatic update services for software and applications can be beneficial for security. However, these services run in the background and can use significant system resources. It is often advisable to schedule updates during off-peak hours when the computer is not in use. According to a study by Gartner (2020), systems performing updates during active periods can slow down user productivity by 20%.
Social Media Clients: Social media clients frequently refresh to provide notifications and updates. These applications can consume CPU and memory resources, especially when multiple accounts are managed. Users may benefit from checking social media manually instead of allowing constant background activity. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center (2019) noted that excessive social media use during work hours can lead to distractions that reduce efficiency.
Streaming Services: Streaming services running in the background can affect performance, especially if they are actively using data and resources. While they are not always problematic, certain scenarios like gaming or resource-demanding tasks can cause lags. Limiting streaming activity to when it’s needed can free up valuable resources, as noted in a 2021 article by PCWorld, which highlighted the impact of streaming on game performance.

How Do Unused Applications Impact the Battery Life of My Toshiba Laptop?

Unused applications can significantly impact the battery life of your Toshiba laptop due to the resources they consume in the background. Here are the key points explaining how unused applications affect battery performance:

Resource Drain: Unused applications may continue to run processes even when not actively opened. This can lead to increased CPU usage, which in turn drains battery power. According to a study by Forrester Research in 2019, background processes can consume up to 40% of a device’s battery life when multiple applications are running.
Memory Consumption: Idle applications may occupy RAM, reducing the available memory for other active processes. When the system resources are strained, the laptop may become less efficient, leading to additional power consumption. The Journal of Computer Information Systems (Smith, 2020) found that systems with high memory usage can see a 25% decrease in battery efficiency.
Network Activity: Some applications regularly check for updates or sync data in the background. This activity can utilize Wi-Fi or cellular data, resulting in higher energy consumption. In a report by the International Journal of Computer Science in 2021, it was noted that constant data sync from unused applications could shorten battery life by up to 15%.
Increased Heat Generation: Running multiple applications can cause the CPU and GPU to generate more heat. Laptops use fans to cool down, which consumes additional battery power. A study by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 2022 established that higher temperatures correlated with a 10% reduction in battery capacity over time.
Impact of Notifications: Applications that send notifications may wake your laptop from sleep mode. This can cause the system to use extra battery power unnecessarily. Research by the Journal of Interface Technologies (Johnson, 2023) indicated that frequent wake-ups from sleep could reduce battery life by up to 20%.

Overall, actively managing and closing unused applications can lead to more efficient power usage and extend the battery life of your Toshiba laptop.

What Maintenance Practices Are Essential for Extending My Toshiba Laptop Battery’s Lifespan?

To extend your Toshiba laptop battery’s lifespan, implement several essential maintenance practices.

Avoid extreme temperatures.
Manage charge cycles effectively.
Reduce screen brightness and disable unnecessary features.
Keep the laptop updated and run efficient software.
Use battery-saving modes.
Store the battery properly when not in use.

Transitioning to the next section, understanding these practices can improve your battery’s performance, longevity, and overall efficiency.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Avoiding extreme temperatures protects your Toshiba laptop battery. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in laptops, degrade faster when exposed to high heat or freezing conditions. The recommended operating temperature for most laptops is between 32°F (0°C) and 95°F (35°C). For instance, a study by Battery University indicates that excessively high temperatures can reduce battery life by 20% or more over time.
Manage Charge Cycles Effectively: Managing charge cycles effectively is crucial for maintaining your laptop battery health. A charge cycle occurs when a battery is charged from 0% to 100%. Lithium-ion batteries last longer when kept between 20% and 80% charged. According to a study from the Journal of Power Sources, limiting full charge cycles extends the battery’s lifespan by approximately 50%.
Reduce Screen Brightness and Disable Unnecessary Features: Reducing screen brightness and disabling unnecessary features can significantly save battery life. Bright displays consume more energy. Features such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi should be turned off when not in use. Computer Hope reported that reducing brightness by 50% can prolong battery life by up to 30%, showcasing the impact of simple adjustments.
Keep the Laptop Updated and Run Efficient Software: Keeping the laptop updated and running efficient software enhances battery performance. Software updates often include battery-saving improvements. Running heavy applications can drain battery faster. As per research by Microsoft, optimizing software and updating the operating system can improve battery efficiency by 10-15%.
Use Battery-Saving Modes: Using battery-saving modes helps extend battery life during usage. Most operating systems, including Windows, offer power-saving settings that adjust performance settings to optimize battery usage. Cisco’s 2021 report found that enabling battery-saver settings can lead to an additional 1-2 hours of use, depending on the workload.
Store the Battery Properly When Not in Use: Storing the battery properly when not in use ensures it remains in good condition. If you must store your laptop for an extended period, keep it at about 50% charge and in a cool, dry place. A study from the IEEE suggests this practice can reduce capacity loss during storage significantly, maintaining about 80% of the battery’s original capacity after several months.

By implementing these practices, you can effectively extend the lifespan of your Toshiba laptop battery, enhancing your overall user experience.

How Frequently Should My Toshiba Laptop Battery Be Calibrated for Optimal Performance?

You should calibrate your Toshiba laptop battery every few months for optimal performance. Regular calibration helps maintain accurate battery percentage readings. Follow these steps for calibration:

Fully charge your laptop to 100%. This ensures the battery starts at maximum capacity.
Unplug the charger and use the laptop until it shuts down due to low battery. This depletes the battery completely.
Let the laptop rest for a few hours. This helps the battery settle.
Connect the charger and fully recharge the battery without interruptions. This restores the battery to full capacity.

Calibrating every three to six months helps extend battery life and ensures accurate battery readings. Consistent calibration allows you to monitor battery performance effectively.

What Temperature Conditions Are Ideal for My Toshiba Laptop Battery?

The ideal temperature conditions for your Toshiba laptop battery range from 10°C (50°F) to 35°C (95°F). Keeping the battery within this temperature range helps to maintain optimal performance and longevity.

Recommended Operating Temperature: 10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F)
Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
Impact of Extreme Heat: Decreased battery life and performance
Impact of Extreme Cold: Reduced capacity and potential malfunction
Ideal humidity conditions: 30% to 80%

Maintaining the ideal temperature conditions is crucial for the effective functioning of your Toshiba laptop battery.

Recommended Operating Temperature: The recommended operating temperature for Toshiba laptop batteries is between 10°C and 35°C (50°F and 95°F). Within this range, the battery can perform efficiently and charges effectively. Deviating from this range can lead to decreased battery performance and overall efficiency. Keeping your laptop within this temperature will help ensure a longer lifespan.
Storage Temperature: When not in use, Toshiba suggests storing batteries at temperatures between -20°C and 60°C (-4°F to 140°F). Extreme temperatures during storage can degrade the battery’s material and performance. Proper storage minimizes self-discharge and preserves battery health over time.
Impact of Extreme Heat: Exposure to high temperatures can significantly harm the battery’s life. High heat can accelerate chemical reactions inside the battery, which may reduce its ability to hold a charge. Typically, charging a laptop in high-temperature environments, such as direct sunlight, may degrade the battery more quickly than normal use.
Impact of Extreme Cold: Cold temperatures can also adversely affect your Toshiba laptop battery. Low temperatures may cause the battery to lose capacity temporarily, resulting in a shorter usage time on a single charge. In extreme conditions, the battery may not function at all until it is warmed.
Ideal Humidity Conditions: Maintaining humidity levels between 30% and 80% is crucial for lithium-ion batteries used in laptops. Low humidity can lead to static electricity buildup, while high humidity may cause corrosion. Both conditions are detrimental to battery health and longevity.

In summary, adhering to the specified temperature and humidity conditions will greatly support the lifespan and reliability of your Toshiba laptop battery.

What Built-In Battery-Saving Features Can I Utilize on My Toshiba Laptop?

To maximize battery life on your Toshiba laptop, you can utilize several built-in battery-saving features.

Power-saving mode
Screen brightness adjustment
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi management
Sleep and hibernate settings
Battery health management tools
Background app management

These battery-saving features present various options for users to effectively maximize laptop performance while minimizing energy consumption.

Power-Saving Mode: Utilizing power-saving mode enables your laptop to reduce energy usage. When activated, this setting lowers processor speed and dims the screen to save battery life. In many Toshiba models, you can access this feature through the Control Panel under Power Options. Engaging this mode can extend battery life significantly during travel or when a power source is unavailable.
Screen Brightness Adjustment: Adjusting the screen brightness can have a profound impact on battery consumption. A brighter screen uses more power. Most Toshiba laptops allow you to change screen brightness via function keys or the display settings in the Windows operating system. Studies show that reducing brightness by just 25% can extend battery life by nearly 10% during daily use.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Management: Disabling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use can conserve battery power. These connectivity options can drain battery life as they seek connections. You can manage these settings from the Taskbar or through the Device Manager. According to energy usage reports, having Bluetooth off can save up to 5% of battery life.
Sleep and Hibernate Settings: Adjusting sleep and hibernate settings helps save battery when the laptop is idle. Sleep mode keeps the session in memory while Hibernate saves it to disk, allowing for quicker startups. You can adjust these settings in the Power Options of your Control Panel. Implementing hibernate may save up to 15% of battery life over extended periods of inactivity.
Battery Health Management Tools: Utilizing battery health management tools helps in monitoring and optimizing battery performance. Toshiba laptops often come with these pre-installed software tools that can suggest ways to extend battery longevity and check for optimal usage settings. Regularly using these tools can ensure that your battery remains in good condition for long-term use.
Background App Management: Managing background apps is crucial for battery efficiency. Many applications run continuously and consume power even when not actively used. You can view and disable nonessential apps in the Task Manager under the Startup tab. Reducing background activity can lead to a noticeable gain in battery life, potentially extending usage times by 20% or more during intensive tasks.

These built-in features collectively provide users with practical solutions to enhance battery performance and longevity, making Toshiba laptops efficient for everyday tasks.

How Can Toshiba’s Eco Utility Help Enhance Battery Efficiency?

Toshiba’s Eco Utility enhances battery efficiency by optimizing power management, reducing energy consumption, and offering customizable settings for users.

Optimizing power management: The Eco Utility employs intelligent software that monitors the system’s performance needs and adjusts the power consumption accordingly. This ensures that the battery is used efficiently without unnecessary drain. For instance, it can automatically lower screen brightness and limit CPU performance during low-demand tasks, which can significantly prolong battery life.

Reducing energy consumption: The Eco Utility helps minimize energy use by controlling background processes and disabling unnecessary applications. A study by GreenTech Media in 2022 reported that intelligent power management can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% in certain laptops. This reduction directly translates to less frequent charging and enhanced battery longevity.

Offering customizable settings: Users can personalize their power settings using the Eco Utility. This feature allows individuals to choose between different modes such as Eco, Balanced, and High-Performance to suit their usage needs. By selecting the Eco mode, users can maximize battery life, especially during travel or in situations where charging is not readily available.

Encouraging sustainable practices: Toshiba’s Eco Utility promotes energy-saving practices, aligning with environmental sustainability goals. According to the International Energy Agency’s 2021 report, efficient power management in tech devices is crucial for reducing the carbon footprint of electronic products. With features like Eco Utility, users contribute to energy conservation while benefiting from improved battery performance.

In summary, Toshiba’s Eco Utility effectively enhances battery efficiency by utilizing intelligent power management, reducing energy consumption, providing customizable settings, and encouraging sustainable practices. These functions not only extend the lifespan of the battery but also support broader environmental objectives.

What Best Charging Habits Should I Follow for My Toshiba Laptop?

To maintain your Toshiba laptop’s battery health, practice the following charging habits:

Charge to 80%
Avoid full discharges
Use the correct charger
Limit high-temperature exposure
Activate power-saving modes

These tips allow you to optimize your laptop’s battery life effectively.

In addition to these primary habits, various perspectives exist regarding battery management. Some suggest charging practices may vary depending on specific models or usage patterns. While some users prefer to keep their laptop plugged in most of the time, others argue against it, believing it deteriorates battery health. It is essential to tailor charging habits to your individual usage, considering both efficiency and longevity.

Charge to 80%: Charging your Toshiba laptop to about 80% can significantly extend battery lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in laptops, tend to degrade faster when kept at a full charge. According to Battery University, keeping the charge level between 20% and 80% optimizes battery health over time.
Avoid Full Discharges: Allowing your laptop battery to fully discharge repeatedly can harm its longevity. Toshiba recommends not letting the battery drop below 20%. Deep discharges can stress the battery and reduce its capacity more quickly.
Use the Correct Charger: Always use the manufacturer’s recommended charger for your Toshiba laptop. An incompatible charger can deliver the wrong voltage, potentially damaging the battery or internal components. This information is supported by Toshiba’s product guidelines, which emphasize the importance of using the designated charging equipment.
Limit High-Temperature Exposure: Excessive heat can negatively impact battery health. Keep your laptop in a cool environment and avoid using it on soft surfaces that trap heat. According to a study from the Journal of Power Sources, operating lithium-ion batteries in elevated temperatures can shorten their life cycle.
Activate Power-Saving Modes: Utilizing power-saving modes can decrease energy consumption and improve battery longevity. Toshiba laptops typically come with built-in power management settings. Engaging these features when unplugged can enhance battery life and reduce unnecessary wear.

By implementing these charging habits, you can optimize the performance and lifespan of your Toshiba laptop.

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