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To disable Fast Startup, open Control Panel, go to System and Security > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do, select Change settings that are currently unavailable, clear Turn on fast startup (recommended), and choose Save changes. The option can be absent when hibernation is unavailable or disabled on a particular PC.
Disable Fast Startup from Control Panel
The same Control Panel route applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10. You do not need new hardware or a third-party utility; the setting is part of Windows Power Options. The task is a built-in configuration change, so there is no accessory, replacement part, repair tool, or physical media required.
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- Open Control Panel. You can search for “Control Panel” from the Start menu or taskbar search.
- Select System and Security.
- Open Power Options.
- In the left pane, select Choose what the power buttons do.
- Select Change settings that are currently unavailable. This reveals shutdown controls that may otherwise be locked.
- Under Shutdown settings, clear Turn on fast startup (recommended).
- Select Save changes.
Microsoft documents this Power Options path for Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a Microsoft-authored Wake-on-LAN support article shows the same checkbox being cleared during troubleshooting: Microsoft’s power and shutdown guidance and the MicrosoftDocs Wake-on-LAN article.
Make sure to finish with Save changes; clearing the box is not the final step by itself. The control is on the page for choosing what the power buttons do, not on the initial Power Options page where Windows lists power plans. If you leave the page before saving, return and check whether the box remains cleared.
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What changes when Fast Startup is off
Fast Startup changes what Windows does when you choose Shut down. Microsoft describes it as a hybrid shutdown: Windows logs off user sessions and then uses hibernation behavior for the Windows kernel and related system state. Microsoft Learn states, “In Windows, fast startup is the default transition when a system shutdown is requested.”
With the checkbox cleared, a normal Shut down no longer uses that Fast Startup transition. The next power-on follows the full-shutdown path instead of resuming the saved hybrid state. This can matter when you need Windows to discard that state between sessions or when a troubleshooting procedure specifically requires a full shutdown.
The change is specifically about the behavior associated with Shut down. It is not a general switch that changes every power action, and it is not a command to turn off all power-saving features. The comparison that matters is whether Windows is using the hybrid shutdown transition or taking a full-shutdown path. If a troubleshooting instruction asks for a full shutdown, use Shut down after disabling Fast Startup rather than assuming that simply changing the checkbox has already performed that shutdown.
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That distinction helps answer a common question: “Does Restart fully shut down Windows?” For purposes of this setting, Restart does not use the Fast Startup shutdown transition and requests a fresh Windows state. If your aim is simply to begin a fresh Windows session, use Restart. If a technician or troubleshooting instruction specifically needs the Shut down command to avoid hybrid shutdown, disable Fast Startup and then choose Shut down.
Fast Startup is also not the same as Sleep or Hibernate. Sleep is a separate low-power state, while Hibernate is a separate power option that saves the session for later resume. Disabling Fast Startup does not, by itself, remove Sleep or Hibernate from Windows. Microsoft notes that Hibernate is not offered on every PC.
These options answer different needs. Fast Startup is part of the shutdown transition; Sleep and Hibernate are distinct power options with different power use and resume behavior. The presence or absence of one option does not mean you have disabled the others. In particular, clearing the Fast Startup checkbox should not be treated as a way to remove Hibernate, and a missing Hibernate option is a clue about device availability rather than proof that the Fast Startup setting has been successfully changed.
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Why someone might turn it off
Fast Startup is designed for the Shut down command, not for Restart, Sleep, or every power state. A user may deliberately disable it when a support procedure asks for a full shutdown, when a device behaves differently after a hybrid shutdown, or when testing whether the saved shutdown state is involved in a problem.
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- Full-shutdown troubleshooting: Clearing the setting ensures that Shut down does not use the hybrid Fast Startup transition.
- Hardware and firmware work: A technician may need the machine to start from a fully shut-down state between changes.
- Network wake testing: Microsoft’s Wake-on-LAN troubleshooting instructions include clearing the Fast Startup checkbox as one of their configuration steps.
- Predictable shutdown behavior: If you want Shut down and the next power-on to avoid the hibernated system state, the checkbox must be cleared.
These are reasons to test or select a different shutdown behavior, not a promise that turning the setting off will resolve every hardware, firmware, or network issue. The Wake-on-LAN article includes the checkbox as one configuration step in that scenario; it does not make Fast Startup the only possible cause of a wake problem. If you are following support instructions, use the exact action requested and evaluate the result rather than assuming that the checkbox change by itself diagnoses the issue.
The official material does not establish a universal boot-time saving, speed penalty, or reliability percentage for Fast Startup. Treat the change as a power-state and troubleshooting choice rather than expecting a guaranteed performance result. There is no substantiated time or prevalence figure to use when deciding whether to turn it off; the practical question is whether you need a full shutdown for your task.
Fast Startup, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate compared
These commands are easy to confuse because they all appear in Windows’ power menus, but they request different states.
| Option | What Windows does | Does disabling Fast Startup change it? | When it is useful |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shut down with Fast Startup enabled | Uses the hybrid shutdown transition: user sessions are logged off and Windows uses hibernation behavior for system state. | Yes. Clearing the checkbox changes this command to the full-shutdown path. | Routine shutdown when you want Windows to use its default hybrid behavior. |
| Shut down with Fast Startup disabled | Performs a full shutdown rather than the Fast Startup transition. | This is the result of clearing the checkbox. | Full-shutdown troubleshooting, hardware changes, or tests that require no saved hybrid state. |
| Restart | Requests a fresh Windows state through the restart path. | No. The Fast Startup checkbox controls the shutdown transition, not Restart. | Applying updates, restarting services, or beginning a fresh Windows session. |
| Sleep | Places the PC in a separate low-power sleep state. | No. Sleep remains a separate power option. | Short breaks when you plan to resume soon. |
| Hibernate | Uses a separate hibernation power option when the PC supports it. | No. Disabling Fast Startup does not itself remove Hibernate. | Longer periods away when you want to preserve the session without normal operating power use. |
Windows may not offer Hibernate on every device, so the exact list of power options can vary by PC. Microsoft’s overview of these states is in Shut down, sleep, or hibernate your PC.
A practical way to choose is to start with the action you need. For a fresh Windows state, use Restart. For a full shutdown rather than the hybrid transition, clear the Fast Startup setting and choose Shut down. For a short pause or a later resume, Sleep or Hibernate remain separate options when available. Do not compare the options as though they were different labels for the same shutdown; Windows treats them as different power-state choices.
If “Turn on fast startup” is missing
A missing checkbox does not necessarily mean that the setting is hidden behind a secret Windows 11 or Windows 10 command. Work through the documented checks below before changing anything else.
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Unlock the shutdown settings
Return to Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable. The shutdown checkboxes can remain unavailable until that link is selected.
Check whether Hibernate is available
Fast Startup relies on hibernation behavior. Microsoft says Hibernate is not offered on every PC, and the Fast Startup control may therefore be absent when hibernation is unavailable or disabled on the device.
Look at the available power options on the same Power Options pages. If Hibernate is not offered, that is a relevant capability clue. The official Microsoft guidance does not establish one universal command or registry edit that restores the Fast Startup checkbox on every affected PC.
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Do not assume that every edition or configuration is identical
Power-state availability depends on the device and its configuration. If the link has been selected and the checkbox still does not appear, Windows may not expose Fast Startup for that installation. Avoid applying an unverified registry change simply because it is suggested for a different model or edition.
Use the checks in that order: open the right page, select the link that makes unavailable controls editable, and then look for the checkbox and the Hibernate option. If the control is still absent, the supported conclusion is limited: the device or its configuration may not expose it. The Microsoft guidance does not justify promising that a particular command, registry edit, or third-party utility will make it appear on all PCs. Do not treat an online workaround for another computer as a universal fix.
How to confirm the setting was saved
- After clearing the checkbox, select Save changes.
- Reopen Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
- Select Change settings that are currently unavailable again if necessary.
- Check that Turn on fast startup (recommended) remains cleared.
- Use Shut down from the Windows power menu when you need to test the changed behavior. Do not substitute Restart if the purpose of the test is to evaluate shutdown.
Reopening the page verifies the configuration itself. The appearance of the checkbox can still depend on whether hibernation is available on the PC. If you are troubleshooting a particular symptom, distinguish that verification from confirming the symptom is fixed: the first checks the saved setting, while the second requires testing the specific shutdown situation that prompted the change.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Changing Restart instead of Shut down
Restart and Shut down are not interchangeable. Restart requests a fresh Windows state independently of Fast Startup. If a support instruction specifically asks for a full shutdown, clear the checkbox and then choose Shut down.
Looking only in the Windows 11 Settings app
Windows 11’s Settings app contains many power controls, but the documented Fast Startup checkbox is in the classic Control Panel Power Options page. Search directly for Control Panel when the setting is difficult to locate.
Stopping after opening the first Power Options page
The checkbox is not on the initial plan-selection page. You must open Choose what the power buttons do, then select Change settings that are currently unavailable to expose the shutdown settings.
Expecting the change to disable Hibernate
Fast Startup uses hibernation behavior during hybrid shutdown, but the user-facing Hibernate option is separate. Clearing Fast Startup does not itself remove Hibernate, Sleep, or Restart.
Using an unsupported registry or command-line “fix”
When the checkbox is missing, the documented evidence supports checking the page permissions and hibernation availability. It does not support promising that a single command or registry edit is a universal remedy. Device capabilities and Windows configuration can limit which controls appear.
Expecting a guaranteed speed change
Microsoft’s cited material describes the power-state behavior, not a guaranteed number of seconds saved or lost. Avoid judging the setting by an unsourced boot-time estimate. Choose based on whether you need Windows to use the hybrid shutdown behavior or a full-shutdown path.
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Assuming the setting is a physical repair
This is a software setting in Windows Power Options. It does not require buying hardware, a repair tool, or a utility. If the control is absent, the documented next checks are whether the controls have been unlocked and whether Hibernate is available—not a product purchase.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to leave Fast Startup enabled
If you have no need for a full-shutdown test and your PC behaves normally, there is no requirement in the documented guidance to clear the setting. Fast Startup is Windows’ default transition for a shutdown request. Leaving it enabled preserves that default behavior; clearing it is a targeted configuration choice for users who need a full shutdown or are isolating a problem involving hybrid shutdown.
You can change the setting again at any time by returning to the same page and selecting or clearing the checkbox, followed by Save changes. The choice is independent of whether you use Sleep, Restart, or Hibernate for other situations.
In other words, this is not a mandatory optimization for every Windows 11 or Windows 10 user. If no support step calls for a full shutdown and you are not testing a hybrid-shutdown problem, leaving the recommended default checked is a reasonable choice. If you change it for troubleshooting, note the original setting so you can restore it later if needed and if the checkbox is available.
Windows 10 support status
The procedure still applies to Windows 10, but Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Microsoft’s startup-settings support page records that end-of-support notice: Windows startup settings.
That support milestone does not move the Fast Startup checkbox. On a Windows 10 PC where the control is available, use the same Control Panel path described above. The support status is a separate consideration when deciding whether the computer should continue running Windows 10.
Disabling Fast Startup does not extend Windows 10 support or change the end-of-support date. It only changes the shutdown behavior selected through Power Options. Keep those decisions separate: use this guide for the Fast Startup checkbox, and consider Microsoft’s support status independently when planning continued Windows 10 use.
Quick decision checklist
- Need a full shutdown rather than Windows’ hybrid shutdown? Clear Turn on fast startup (recommended).
- Need only a fresh Windows session? Use Restart; changing Fast Startup is not required for that purpose.
- Cannot find the checkbox? Select Change settings that are currently unavailable and check whether Hibernate is offered.
- Want to keep Sleep or Hibernate? Disabling Fast Startup does not itself remove those separate options.
- Using Windows 10? The steps remain applicable, but Microsoft support ended on October 14, 2025.
There is no speed figure or universal repair claim needed to make this choice. The setting controls the shutdown transition; choose whether to keep Windows’ default hybrid behavior or use a full shutdown when the task calls for it.
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How do I turn off Fast Startup in Windows 11 or Windows 10?
Open Control Panel and go to System and Security > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable, clear Turn on fast startup (recommended) under Shutdown settings, and select Save changes. The documented Control Panel path applies to both Windows versions.
Why is “Turn on fast startup” missing?
First open Choose what the power buttons do and select Change settings that are currently unavailable. If the checkbox remains absent, check whether Hibernate is offered. Microsoft notes that Hibernate is unavailable on some PCs, and the device or its configuration may limit the Fast Startup control. Microsoft does not document a universal command or registry edit to restore it on every PC.
Does Restart fully shut down Windows?
Restart follows a separate path from Fast Startup and requests a fresh Windows state. The Fast Startup checkbox affects the Shut down transition, not Restart. Use Restart when you need a fresh Windows session; if a procedure specifically requires a full shutdown, disable Fast Startup and choose Shut down.
Will turning off Fast Startup disable Hibernate or Sleep?
No. Fast Startup is part of the hybrid shutdown behavior. Sleep and the user-facing Hibernate option are separate power options, and disabling Fast Startup does not itself remove them. Hibernate may not be offered on every PC.
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Do I need to install a utility or buy anything to disable Fast Startup?
No. The change is made in Windows’ built-in Control Panel Power Options. No physical product or third-party utility is needed.
Does disabling Fast Startup make Windows boot faster or slower by a specific amount?
Microsoft’s cited documentation explains the shutdown and power-state behavior but does not provide a universal boot-time figure or guaranteed speed result. Decide based on whether you need a full shutdown or want to keep the default hybrid shutdown behavior.
Can I turn Fast Startup back on later?
Yes, if the checkbox is available. Return to the same Power Options page, select Turn on fast startup (recommended), and choose Save changes.
Does this setting change Windows 10 support?
No. It only changes the shutdown transition. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025; turning Fast Startup on or off does not alter that date or restore free updates, technical assistance, or security fixes.
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The Bottom Line
Use Control Panel’s Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do page, unlock the settings, clear Turn on fast startup (recommended), and save. This changes the Shut down transition, not Restart, Sleep, or the separate Hibernate option. If the checkbox remains absent, check hibernation availability; Microsoft does not document a universal workaround for every PC.
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