In this post, I’ll go over the differences between sleep and hibernation modes, as well as how to enable and disable hibernation in Windows 10. Have you ever needed to leave your computer for a long period of time but didn’t want to shut it down? It could be for a variety of reasons, such as having work to return to after your lunch break or your computer taking a long time to boot up.
The sleep mode in Windows OS allows you to do just that, but what if I told you there was a better power-saving feature than sleep mode? Hibernation mode is a Windows power option that combines the advantages of both a complete system shutdown and sleep mode.
Users, like Sleep, can decide when their systems should go into hibernation, and the feature can be turned off entirely if desired (although keeping it active does make for a better overall experience).
What is the definition of hibernation?
Hibernation is a power-saving mode created for laptop computers, but it can also be used on desktop computers. In terms of power usage and where you are now open (before leaving your System), it differs from Sleep. Files are saved.
The sleep mode is activated by default when you leave your computer without shutting it down. During sleep, the screen is turned off, and all foreground processes (files and programs) are saved in memory (RAM).
It allows the System to operate in a low-power mode while still functioning. With a single keystroke or a simple mouse movement, you can get back to work. In a few seconds, the screen returns, and all files and apps are in the same state as when you left.
Hibernation, like Sleep, saves the status of your files and programs and is awakened after an extended amount of time in Sleep mode. Hibernation, unlike Sleep, does not maintain files in RAM and does not require a constant power supply (like when your System is shut down). It’s done by storing the current state of the files on the hard drive rather than in temporary memory.
Exploring Further
When you go to bed for a long time, your computer transfers the status of your files to the hard disc drive and enters Hibernation mode. The System will take a little longer to power up than Sleep required because the data has been moved to the hard disc. However, when you resume your computer after a complete shutdown, the boot time is still faster. Hibernation comes in handy when a user doesn’t want to lose track of their files but won’t be charging their laptop for a while.
As you can see, storing the status of your files requires some RAM, which is provided by a system file (hiberfil.sys). The amount set aside is roughly comparable to 75% of the system’s RAM. If your machine has 8 GB of RAM, the hibernation system file will require approximately 6 GB of hard disc space.
Before we can enable Hibernation, we need to make sure that the hiberfil.sys file is present on the machine. The machine cannot enter Hibernation mode if the user is not there (InstantGo does not have the hibernation power option).
Follow the steps below to see if your machine can hibernate:
- Double-click File Explorer’s desktop icon or use the keyboard shortcut to launch it.Using the Windows Key + E. Click on Local Drive to open C Drive (C:).
- Click the View tab, then the Options button near the bottom of the ribbon. Change the folder and search choices by selecting ‘Change folder and search options.’
- Return to the View tab of the Folder Options window.
- Double-click Hidden files and folders to open a sub-menu, then select Show hidden files, folders, or drives.
- Select ‘Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)’ from the drop-down menu. A warning notice will appear if you try to untick the option. Click Yes to confirm your action.
- Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
- The Hibernation file (hiberfil.sys) can be found at the root of the C drive if it is present. It means your computer is about to go to sleep.
How to Enable or Disable Hibernation in Windows 10 in a Simple Way
Whether to enable or disable Hibernation is a straightforward process that takes only a few minutes to accomplish. Hibernation can be enabled or disabled in a number of ways. The simplest method is to run a single command from an elevated command prompt, while alternative methods require changing the Windows Registry Editor or accessing additional power options.
Method 1: Using the Command Prompt, enable or disable hibernation
This is the simplest approach for enabling or disabling Hibernation in Windows 10 and should be your priority.
- Use any of the ways given to open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type powercfg.exe /hibernate on and press Enter to enable Hibernation.
Type powercfg.exe /hibernate off and press Enter to turn off Hibernation.
Because neither command produces any output, you must go back to the C drive and check the hiberfil.sys file to determine if the command you type is correctly performing (Steps are mentioned earlier). If you find the hiberfil.sys file, it signifies Hibernation is working successfully. Hibernation, on the other hand, inhibits if the file is missing.
Method 2: Using the Registry Editor, enable or disable hibernation
In the Registry Editor, the user makes a second change to the HibernateEnabled entry.
Because Registry Editor is a powerful tool, any unintended blunder could result in a whole new set of problems, proceed with caution.
- Use one of the techniques described below to open Windows Registry Editor. Click Windows Key + R to open the Run command, then type Regedit and press Enter. Press Windows Key + S, type Regedit or registry editor into the search box, and then click the Open button when the results show.
- Double-click or click on the arrow to the left of HKEY LOCAL MACHINE in the registry editor window’s left panel to expand it.
- Double-click on SYSTEM under HKEY LOCAL MACHINE.
- Expand CurrentControlSet by double-clicking on it.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
CurrentControlSet\Control\Power
To get to Control/Power, repeat the steps above. The following should be the final address in the address bar:
- In the right-hand panel, double-click Hibernate Enabled, or right-click it and select Modify.
- In the Value Data text box, type 1 to enable hibernation. Enter 0 in the Value Data text box to disable Hibernation.
- To exit the registry editor and restart your computer, press the OK button.
Search for hiberfil.sys on the C drive to verify if you were successful in enabling or disabling Hibernation.
Method 3: Use Advanced Power Options to enable or disable hibernation
The final technique requires the user to use the Advanced Power Options box to enable or disable Hibernation. Users can also set a time restriction for when their system should go into hibernation mode. This method, like the others, is straightforward.
- Select one of the two methods to launch Advanced Power Options. Type powercfg.cpl into the Run command and press Enter.
- Navigate to System in Windows Settings (Windows Key + I). Under Power & Sleep settings, select Additional power settings.
- Click Change plan settings in the Selected plan section of the Power Options box (highlighted in blue).
- Select Change advanced power settings from the Edit Plan Settings window that displays.
- Double-click or click on the + sign to the left of the Sleep label to expand it.
- Double-click Hibernate and set the Settings (Minutes) to the amount of time you want your system to sit idle before entering Hibernation.
Change the Allow hybrid sleep setting to Off and the Settings (Minute) setting to Never to disable Hibernation.
Change the Allow hybrid sleep setting to Off and the Settings (Minute) setting to Never to disable Hibernation. - Click Apply and then OK to save your changes.
