Fast boot can mean two different settings: Windows Fast startup, which saves part of the system to disk at shutdown, and Fast Boot in your PC’s UEFI firmware, which skips some hardware checks. Turn off the one causing trouble, for example problems entering BIOS, dual-boot issues or updates that do not finish.
Quick Answer
For Windows Fast startup, open Control Panel, Power Options, Choose what the power buttons do, click Change settings that are currently unavailable, uncheck Turn on fast startup and save. For firmware Fast Boot, turn it off in UEFI settings.
How to Turn Off Fast Startup in Windows 11
- Press Windows key + R, type powercfg.cpl and press Enter.
- Click Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click Change settings that are currently unavailable (requires administrator rights).
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
- Click Save changes.
- Shut down and start the PC to confirm.
Two Kinds of Fast Boot
| Setting | Where |
|---|---|
| Windows Fast startup | Control Panel, Power Options |
| Firmware Fast Boot | UEFI settings, often under Boot |
| Hibernation off (also disables Fast startup) | powercfg /h off in an administrator Terminal |
What Fast Startup Actually Does
When Fast startup is on, clicking Shut down doesn’t fully close Windows. Your apps and your user session are closed, but the Windows kernel and loaded drivers are saved to the hibernation file on your drive. The next time you power on, Windows reloads that saved state instead of starting from scratch, which shortens boot time, especially on older hard drives.
That shortcut is also the source of most Fast startup problems. Because the kernel isn’t fully restarted, a driver that misbehaved before shutdown can carry the problem into the next session, and the system drive is left in a hibernated state that other operating systems shouldn’t write to.
When to Turn It Off
| Situation | Why Fast startup gets in the way |
|---|---|
| Dual-booting Linux or another Windows | The Windows drive is left hibernated, so changes from the other system can be lost or cause errors |
| You can’t reach BIOS/UEFI with the startup key | The PC skips past the firmware screen too quickly |
| Updates say “restart required” after you shut down | Some updates need a full restart to finish installing |
| Wake-on-LAN, USB devices or a driver act up after power-on | Hardware state is restored rather than reset |
| Uptime in Task Manager keeps growing after shutdowns | The kernel session never fully restarts |
If none of these apply, leaving it on is fine for most people.
Get a Full Shutdown Without Changing Settings
If you only need a clean start now and then, you don’t have to turn the feature off:
- Restart always performs a full shutdown and startup.
- Hold Shift while you click Shut down in the Start menu power options for a one-time full shutdown.
- Run
shutdown /s /f /t 0in Command Prompt for a full shutdown that closes open apps immediately. Save your work first.
Turn Off Fast Boot in UEFI Firmware
Firmware Fast Boot is separate from Windows and is set by your PC or motherboard maker. Names include Fast Boot, Ultra Fast Boot and Quick Boot.
- Open UEFI settings: hold Shift and click Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
- Look in the Boot or Advanced section for the Fast Boot option.
- Set it to Disabled, then save and exit, usually with F10.
With some ultra-fast settings, the keyboard isn’t available during startup, which is why the Windows route into UEFI above is the reliable one. Menus differ between brands, so check your PC maker’s support site if you can’t find the option. If settings get muddled, see how to reset BIOS in Windows 11.
How to Turn Fast Startup Back On
Repeat the Control Panel steps and check Turn on fast startup (recommended), then click Save changes. If the checkbox is missing, hibernation is off; run powercfg /h on in an administrator Terminal and the option returns. On Windows 10, the steps are the same; see how to turn off Fast Startup in Windows 10.
Troubleshooting
- Option missing: Fast startup needs hibernation. If hibernation is off, the checkbox does not appear.
- Cannot reach BIOS: hold Shift while clicking Restart, then Troubleshoot, Advanced options, UEFI Firmware Settings.
- Setting turns back on after updates: check it again after major Windows updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning it off slow startup?
Slightly, on most modern SSD-based PCs the difference is a few seconds.
Does Restart use fast startup?
No. Restart always performs a full startup.
Should I turn it off?
Only if it causes problems, such as with dual boot or drivers.
Is firmware Fast Boot the same on every PC?
No. The name and location vary by manufacturer.
Summary
- Open powercfg.cpl.
- Choose what the power buttons do.
- Unlock settings.
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
- Save changes.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.