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Disable or Enable Hibernation on Windows 11 [Quick Steps]
Leave your PC in hibernation mode when you are away from it
7 min. read
Updated onNovember 8, 2024
updated onNovember 8, 2024
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Key notes
The Hibernation mode can be very helpful because it allows you to suspend activity on your PC and save all your work to get back right where you left off when you turn it on again.
However, the Hibernation mode is not present in Windows 11’s Start menu for the Power option and you can’t find it in the Power user menu (Ctrl+X) either.
In this guide, we will explain how to enable and use the Hibernation mode but first, let’s see how the Hibernation mode can help you.
Why is Hibernate mode important?
In a lot of ways, the Hibernation mode is like the Sleep mode, because its purpose is to suspend your activity so you can get back to it where you left off.
But unlike the latter, in the Hibernation mode, all your apps and document instances that are opened will be saved on your hard drive instead of RAM.
The only disadvantage of this option is that it uses a lot of space on your hard drive (in the order of gigabytes) but everything will be stored in a hidden file called hiberfil.sys.
According to Microsoft, there are two Hibernation file types:
There is also a major advantage when it comes to the Hibernation mode, and that is the possibility to turn off the computer completely, saving power in the process.
This can be extremely helpful if you’re dangerously low on your laptop battery and you want to make sure that everything will be fine until you find an outlet and power it back.
So, if you don’t mind the space problem and you still want to make sure that you’ve saved your work, here’s how you can enable Hibernation mode in Windows 11.
How can I enable the Hibernation mode in Windows 11?
1. Use Control Panel
If you can’t see the Hibernate option, it might be because the Hibernation is not turned on. You can do that very easily by following the next step.
2. Use Command Prompt
3. Use the Registry Editor
How to disable Hibernation in Windows 11?
1.Click on theSearchicon from theTaskbar.
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Typecmdand selectRun as administratorto runCommand Promptwith administrative privileges.
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If you are prompted by the UAC dialog, clickContinueon the pop-up window.
4.Type the following command in Command Prompt:powercfg.exe /hibernate off
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PressEnterto run the command.
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Close the cmd window.
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Hibernation mode is now turned off on your device.
Hibernation Mode can be easily disabled via cmd. All you need to do is input the appropriate command, and the tool will do the work for you.
You can also use the reverse method from the first step of this guide if you don’t want to see the Hibernation option in the Start menu, by unchecking the Hibernation box.
How to enable the Hibernation mode in Windows 10?
If you have problems with the steps or you need more info, we have a more comprehensive guide onhow to add the Hibernate option to the Start menu in Windows 10.
What to do if you can’t see the Hibernation in the Windows Power options?
If you can’t see the Hibernation mode even after you performed the steps above, you might be in the situation where you are running Windows 11 on a virtual machine.
Virtual machines like VMware and VirtualBox don’t allow using the S4 state (Hibernation) on the emulated operating systems.
Also, make sure that you have enough space on your hard drive to use this feature. As we mentioned in the opening of our guide, Hibernation uses a few gigabytes of your drive space.
We hope that our guide helped you turn on or off the Hibernation mode in Windows 11 and you are now prepared for an eventual power outage.
You can also check the status of your battery if you click on the Battery icon from the status bar. Feel free to change the Power Plan to a balanced or saving mode by toggling the switch.
Hibernation vs Sleep Modes
The usual method of suspending the activity on your portable is the Sleep mode, which will use the RAM to store your settings but still uses a little amount of energy from your battery.
And when the power runs out completely, your RAM won’t be able to hold any of your memory because it’s volatile.
Hibernation is a step forward because data is stored on your hard drive, on a file called hiberfil.sys so you will be able to shut down your computer completely.
Of course, that means that even if the power from your portable runs out completely, you will still be able to turn it on and find everything on as it was before you turned it off.
We have a dedicated articlecomparing Hibernation Mode and Sleep Modethat you can check out for more details.
Should I shut my computer down every night?
Every time you shut down your PC, the system closes all processes and apps and you will start the next day with a clean slate. However, it will start slower when you do so.
That’s why it’s a lot better to use the Hibernation mode before going to sleep. Your laptop won’t consume battery power and electricity, but it will start a lot faster, and you will be able to resume your work.
It will still start up a bit slower than from Sleep but it’s still quicker than loading up from a complete shutdown.
However, during the day, it’s a lot faster and more useful to put your computer in Sleep mode because you will be able to resume your work faster.
The Hibernation function is obviously designed for laptops and it’s excellent when you know that you will be away from an outlet for an extended period of time.
For desktop PC, there is also the option of Hybrid Sleep which combines the benefits of the Sleep mode with Hibernation.
The contents of the RAM are copied on the disk, so the PC can wake up in an instant but all the files and apps you’re working on at the moment will be safe even if you’re going through a power outage.
Coming back to portables, if you have problems with the battery of your device, we have an excellent guide onhow to check battery health in Windows 11.
If you’re a Windows 10 user, we have a new guide that will show you how todisable hibernation on Windows 10, so don’t miss it.
For any questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to use the comments section below this post.
More about the topics:Windows 11
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
Reviewed byVlad Turiceanu
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.More about Vlad ›
