Disabling hibernation in Windows 10 is a straightforward process that involves just a few steps. By accessing the Command Prompt with administrative privileges and entering a specific command, you can easily disable this feature. This article will guide you through each step to ensure you can complete the task without any hassle.
How to Disable Hibernation in Windows 10
To disable hibernation in Windows 10, follow these steps to turn off this feature using the Command Prompt. The process is simple and should only take a few minutes.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
First, you need to open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
Hit the Start button, type “cmd” in the search bar, right-click on Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator.”
When you run Command Prompt as an administrator, it allows you to make system changes. If a pop-up appears asking for permission, click “Yes.”
Step 2: Type the Command to Disable Hibernation
In the Command Prompt window, type the command powercfg.exe /hibernate off.
Press Enter to execute the command.
This command tells your computer to turn off the hibernation feature. You won’t receive a confirmation message, but you’ll know it’s successful if no error appears.
Step 3: Confirm Hibernation is Disabled
To make sure hibernation is disabled, you can check your power settings.
Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options and see if the hibernate option is no longer available.
If the hibernate option is gone, congratulations! You’ve successfully disabled hibernation.
Once you disable hibernation, your computer will no longer save the current state to your hard drive when it shuts down. This can free up disk space and may improve performance slightly.
However, it also means you won’t be able to resume exactly where you left off after a shutdown.
Tips for Disabling Hibernation in Windows 10
- Backup Important Data: Before making system changes, always back up important data.
- Check Disk Space: Disabling hibernation can free up space, especially on SSDs.
- Power Settings: Review other power settings to ensure your system behaves as you want without hibernation.
- Re-enable if Needed: You can re-enable hibernation using the command
powercfg.exe /hibernate onif you change your mind. - Consider Sleep Mode: If you need a quick resume option, use sleep mode instead of hibernation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hibernation in Windows 10?
Hibernation is a power-saving feature that saves your current session to the hard drive and powers down the computer.
Why would I disable hibernation?
Disabling hibernation can free up disk space and might improve system performance.
Can I re-enable hibernation later?
Yes, you can re-enable hibernation by running the command powercfg.exe /hibernate on.
Does disabling hibernation affect sleep mode?
No, disabling hibernation does not affect the sleep mode functionality.
Will I lose data if I disable hibernation?
No, disabling hibernation won’t delete your files or data, but you won’t be able to resume your previous session after shutting down.
Summary
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type the command
powercfg.exe /hibernate off. - Confirm hibernation is disabled.
Conclusion
Disabling hibernation in Windows 10 is a quick and easy process that can save valuable disk space and may improve overall system performance. Just remember to open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the command correctly. Once you type powercfg.exe /hibernate off, the system will disable hibernation, ensuring you no longer see the option in your power settings.
This process is reversible, so if you ever need to turn hibernation back on, simply use the command powercfg.exe /hibernate on. Whether you’re freeing up space on a small SSD or just prefer not to use hibernation, this guide has you covered. For further reading, you might explore other power management features in Windows 10 to optimize your system even more. If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing it with others who might benefit from disabling hibernation on their Windows 10 machines.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.