Disabling hibernation in Windows 10 is quite straightforward. By using the Command Prompt, you can easily toggle off this feature. Just type a specific command, and you’re good to go. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to disable hibernation, freeing up disk space and potentially speeding up your computer. Let’s dive in!
How to Disable Hibernation in Windows 10
Hibernation mode can be useful, but it also takes up a good chunk of your disk space. If you’re ready to disable it, follow the steps below to get it done quickly.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
First, you need to access an elevated Command Prompt.
To do this, type “cmd” in the search bar, right-click on Command Prompt, and choose “Run as Administrator.” This opens a new window where you can enter commands.
Step 2: Type the Command to Disable Hibernation
Next, type in the command: powercfg.exe /hibernate off.
When you hit Enter, this command tells your computer to turn off hibernation. It’s like flipping a switch that disables this feature.
Step 3: Verify the Command Executed Successfully
Look for a confirmation message or check the hard drive space.
You might not see a message, but if you check your disk space, you should notice a slight increase as the hibernation file is removed.
Step 4: Close the Command Prompt
Once you’ve completed the steps, just close the Command Prompt window.
This ensures that you don’t accidentally enter any more commands.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
Finally, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
This step is crucial to fully apply the changes and make sure hibernation is disabled.
After you complete these steps, your computer will no longer go into hibernation mode. This means your PC won’t save the current state to the hard drive when it powers down, which can free up space but may slightly increase boot times.
Tips for Disabling Hibernation in Windows 10
- Disabling hibernation can free up disk space, especially useful for devices with limited storage.
- Hibernation saves the current state of your PC to your hard drive, which can be handy for quick startups.
- If you ever want to re-enable it, just type
powercfg.exe /hibernate onin the Command Prompt. - Disabling hibernation can also turn off the “Fast Startup” feature in Windows 10.
- Remember that hibernation is different from sleep mode; sleep mode doesn’t use as much disk space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hibernation mode in Windows 10?
Hibernation mode saves the current state of your PC to the hard drive, allowing you to power off completely and resume where you left off later.
Does disabling hibernation affect Windows updates?
No, disabling hibernation does not affect Windows updates. Updates will continue to install as usual.
Can I re-enable hibernation if needed?
Yes, you can easily re-enable hibernation using the command powercfg.exe /hibernate on in an elevated Command Prompt.
Is hibernation the same as sleep mode?
No, hibernation saves the state to the hard drive, while sleep mode stores it in RAM. Sleep mode uses more power but resumes faster.
Will disabling hibernation speed up my computer?
Disabling hibernation can free up disk space, which might improve performance, especially if your hard drive is nearly full.
Summary
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type command
powercfg.exe /hibernate off. - Verify the command executed successfully.
- Close the Command Prompt.
- Restart your computer.
Conclusion
Disabling hibernation in Windows 10 is a simple yet effective way to reclaim disk space and potentially improve system performance. By following these easy steps, you can turn off this feature if it’s not something you use regularly. While hibernation can be convenient for quick startups, its absence is often barely noticeable once it’s disabled.
If you ever change your mind, enabling it again is just as easy. Remember that while hibernation and sleep mode both aim to save energy and resume work quickly, they function differently. Disabling hibernation not only impacts the way your computer shuts down and starts up but also influences how space is managed on your hard drive.
Ultimately, whether to keep or disable hibernation depends on how you use your computer. If you’re often on the go and rely on quick startups, you might want to keep it. But if you’re looking to maximize storage, disabling it could be the way to go. So, consider your needs and make the choice that best suits your computing lifestyle!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.