Hibernate - Enable or Disable (restore or delete the hiberfil.sys file)

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable hibernate and restore or delete the hiberfil.sys file inWindows 7 and Windows 8.

When hibernate is disabled, the Hibernate option is missing from the Start Menu (Windows 7 only), Shut Down Windows dialog, Power menu (Windows 8 only) and the Advanced Power Plan Options.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

Note

By default, the size of the hidden protected OS hibernation file (C:\hiberfil.sys) is 75% of the total amount of installed RAM on your computer.


Tip

You can set your computer to either use or not use the Hybrid or Hibernate sleep mode option from the Advanced Power Plan Options.
In Windows 7, you will only see Hibernate listed in the Start Menu power button arrow menu if you have Hybrid turned off in the Advanced Power Plan Options.

OPTION ONE 

To Enable or Disable Hibernate in a Elevated Command Prompt

1. To Enable Hibernate
NOTE: This step will restore the hiberfil.sys file, and the Allow hybrid sleep and Hibernate after Power Options underSleep.
A) Open a Elevated Command Prompt.

B) In the elevated command prompt, type powercfg -h on and press Enter.

C) Close the elevated command prompt.

D) If you would also like to have hibernate turned on, then you will also need do to step 2 in OPTION FOUR below.

2. To Disable Hibernate
NOTE: This step will disable hibernation, delete the hiberfil.sys file, and remove the Allow hybrid sleep and Hibernate afterPower Options under Sleep. This will also disable fast startup in Windows 8.


1. Open a Elevated Command Prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, type powercfg -h off and press Enter.

3. Close the elevated command prompt.


OPTION TWO 

To Enable or Disable Hibernate in Registry Editor
1. Open the Start Menu, type regedit in the search box, and press Enter.

2. In regedit, navigate to the location below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power

3. In the right pane of the Power key, double click/tap on HibernateEnabled, and do step 4 or 5 below for what you would like to do.

4. To Enable Hibernate

NOTE: This step will restore the hiberfil.sys file, and the Allow hybrid sleep and Hibernate after Power Options underSleep.

A) Type in 1, and click/tap on OK.

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable Hibernate

NOTE: This step will disable hibernation, delete the hiberfil.sys file, and remove the Allow hybrid sleep and Hibernate afterPower Options under Sleep. This will also disable fast startup in Windows 8.

A) Type in 0 (zero), and click/tap on OK.

B) Go to step 6.

6. Close regedit, and restart the computer to apply the changes.

7. If you would also like to have hibernate turned on, then you will also need do to step 2 in OPTION FOUR below.


OPTION THREE

To Turn Hibernate On or Off in Power Options


NOTE: This option does not disable hibernate, but only turns it on or off for your power plan.

1. Do either step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Turn On Hibernate

NOTE: You could also use a hibernate shortcut to manually put the computer into hibernation instead or in addition to this option.

A) If you have not already, then you will need to enable hibernate using either OPTION ONE, OPTION TWO, orOPTION THREE above first.

B) Open the Advanced Power Plan Settings for your power plan, then expand Sleep.

C) Under Hibernate after, set the Setting (Minutes) to how many minutes you want your computer to sit idle for before it goes into hibernation.

D) Go to step 4.

3. To Turn Off Hibernate 

NOTE: If you disabled hibernate using OPTION 1, 2, or 3 above, then there's no need to do this since Hibernate after andAllow hybrid sleep will no longer be listed in your power options.
A) Open the Advanced Power Plan Settings for your power plan, and expand Sleep.

B) Under Hibernate after, set the Setting (Minutes) to Never.

C) Under Allow hybrid sleep, set Setting to Off.

D) Go to step 4.
4. When finished, click/tap on OK.

That's it.