To turn off hibernation and have Windows remove hiberfil.sys, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run powercfg.exe /hibernate off. Windows manages the hidden system file; do not try to delete it manually in File Explorer.
Turn off hibernation and remove hiberfil.sys
- Open the Start menu, type Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator. Approve the User Account Control prompt if it appears.
- At the elevated command prompt, enter
powercfg.exe /hibernate offand press Enter. Microsoft documents this command for making hibernation unavailable; Windows removes the hibernation file as part of managing the feature. Microsoft Powercfg command-line options and Microsoft Support’s hibernation instructions describe the supported procedure.
The command normally returns to the prompt without a confirmation message. Because hiberfil.sys is a hidden system file in the root of the Windows installation drive, its absence from File Explorer before the command does not mean it was not there.
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What changes when hibernation is off
Fast startup is unavailable
Windows Fast startup uses a hibernation file, so turning hibernation off also makes Fast startup unavailable. If you want to retain Fast startup, a reduced hiberfile is an alternative: it supports hiberboot (Fast startup) but does not remove the file. Microsoft documents file types and sizing in its system power-state documentation.
Hybrid sleep no longer works
Microsoft warns that hybrid sleep does not work when hibernation is unavailable. If a power failure occurs while hybrid sleep is enabled, data may be lost. Consider that risk before disabling hibernation on a computer that uses hybrid sleep. See Microsoft Support’s guidance.
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Check for HORM use
HORM (Hibernate Once, Resume Many) is a specialized deployment feature that relies on hiberfil.sys. Microsoft’s HORM documentation says not to disable hibernation while using HORM: Hibernate Once, Resume Many (HORM).
Choose between removing the file and keeping Fast startup
| Option | Hibernation file | Fast startup | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
Turn hibernation off with powercfg.exe /hibernate off |
Removed by Windows | Unavailable | You want to reclaim the space used by the file and do not need hibernation or related features. |
| Use a reduced hiberfile | Retained, but smaller than a full hiberfile | Available | You want Fast startup but do not need standard hibernation. |
Microsoft’s current technical documentation lists default sizes of 40% of physical memory for a full hiberfile and 20% for a reduced hiberfile. These are documented defaults for those file types, not guaranteed measurements for every PC; the configured type and size affect the actual file. Microsoft’s general support page describes the file as approximately the size of installed RAM, but that should not be treated as a universal exact size.
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Turn hibernation back on
To restore the feature and let Windows recreate the file, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
powercfg.exe /hibernate on
This makes hibernation available again. If you previously relied on Fast startup or hybrid sleep, check the relevant Windows power settings after enabling it.
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- OEM IS TO BE INSTALLED ON A NEW PC with no prior version of Windows installed and cannot be transferred to another machine.
- OEM DOES NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT | To acquire product with Microsoft support, obtain the full packaged “Retail” version.
- PRODUCT SHIPS IN PLAIN ENVELOPE | Activation key is located under scratch-off area on label.
- GENUINE WINDOWS SOFTWARE IS BRANDED BY MIRCOSOFT ONLY.
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