If you are searching for why this method is "better," you are likely looking for advantages in Stealth, Granularity, or Direct Access. Here is why using the Native API via ntdll.dll is considered superior in advanced scenarios:
Unlike reading kernel memory directly or loading a driver, many WNF states are readable from a medium integrity process (standard user). This makes NtQueryWnfStateData a powerful tool for non-admin diagnostic tools. ntquerywnfstatedata ntdlldll better
To truly leverage NtQueryWnfStateData better than the average researcher: If you are searching for why this method
Only system components and a few tightly controlled drivers use WNF directly. Most application developers should rely on higher-level Win32 APIs (e.g., GetSystemPowerStatus, RegisterPowerSettingNotification), which internally may use WNF but provide a stable interface. Only system components and a few tightly controlled
WMI queries are notoriously slow. ETW requires enabling providers, collecting traces, and parsing events. NtQueryWnfStateData is a simple synchronous syscall – often completing in < 1 microsecond.