Turning off Fast Startup in Windows 11 can help with troubleshooting or if you prefer a full shutdown process. It involves accessing the Power Options menu in the Control Panel and changing a setting. Here’s how you can do it step-by-step.
How to Turn Off Fast Startup Windows 11
The following steps will guide you through disabling Fast Startup in Windows 11, ensuring your system goes through a complete shutdown process every time.
Step 1: Open Control Panel
Search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu and open it.
To get started, click the Start menu at the bottom left of your screen. Type “Control Panel” in the search bar and select it from the list. This menu is your gateway to a plethora of system settings.
Step 2: Navigate to Power Options
Within Control Panel, go to “System and Security” and then click on “Power Options.”
Once you’re in the Control Panel, look for the “System and Security” option. Inside this section, you’ll find “Power Options.” Clicking on this will take you to the settings where you can manage how your PC uses power.
Step 3: Choose What the Power Buttons Do
Select “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left side of the Power Options window.
On the left-hand sidebar, you’ll see an option labeled “Choose what the power buttons do.” Go ahead and click it. This will bring up a new set of options related to your PC’s power settings.
Step 4: Change Settings that are Currently Unavailable
Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable” at the top of the window.
Now, you’ll notice that some options are greyed out. To make them available, click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable.” This will let you modify all the relevant power settings.
Step 5: Uncheck Turn on Fast Startup
Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” and click “Save changes.”
Finally, look for the option that says “Turn on fast startup (recommended).” Uncheck this box and then click “Save changes” at the bottom. You’ve now disabled Fast Startup.
After completing these steps, your computer will go through a full shutdown process rather than a hybrid one.
Tips for Turning Off Fast Startup Windows 11
- Restart Instead of Shutdown: If you just need to fully refresh your system, consider using the “Restart” option instead of disabling Fast Startup.
- Troubleshooting: Turning off Fast Startup can help solve issues with drivers or hardware that don’t initialize correctly.
- Energy Consumption: Disabling Fast Startup may slightly increase energy usage, as your computer won’t use the hybrid shutdown process.
- Hibernate vs. Sleep: Note that disabling Fast Startup won’t affect Sleep or Hibernate modes.
- Re-enable Easily: You can always re-enable Fast Startup by following the same steps and checking the box again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fast Startup?
Fast Startup is a hybrid shutdown process that helps your computer start up faster by saving the system state to a file.
Will turning off Fast Startup affect my PC’s performance?
It might slightly increase boot time but will not affect overall system performance.
Can I re-enable Fast Startup if I change my mind?
Yes, simply follow the same steps and check the “Turn on fast startup” box again.
Does Fast Startup affect Windows updates?
Sometimes, Fast Startup can interfere with installing updates. Disabling it ensures a clean shutdown and startup.
Is Fast Startup the same as Sleep or Hibernate?
No, Fast Startup is different. It’s a hybrid of a full shutdown and Hibernate, while Sleep and Hibernate are separate power-saving modes.
Summary
- Open Control Panel
- Navigate to Power Options
- Choose What the Power Buttons Do
- Change Settings that are Currently Unavailable
- Uncheck Turn on Fast Startup
Conclusion
Disabling Fast Startup in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that offers more than just a potential fix for startup issues. It can also give you a better understanding of your system’s behavior. While Fast Startup is beneficial for quicker boot times, it can sometimes cause issues with hardware initialization or driver updates. By following the steps mentioned, you can easily switch off this feature and enjoy a full shutdown process.
Knowing how to turn off Fast Startup is a handy troubleshooting skill and can be reverted back anytime if you decide you prefer the quicker boot times. It’s all about finding what works best for your PC and your workflow. For further reading, you might want to explore advanced power management settings or even dive into how different power modes like Sleep and Hibernate work. Happy tweaking!
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.