To disable hibernation in Windows 10, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run powercfg.exe /hibernate off. This also disables Fast Startup and hybrid sleep, which depend on the hibernation file. An SSD alone is not a reason to turn hibernation off; do it only if you need the space and do not rely on those features.
Disable hibernation from an administrator Command Prompt
- Search for Command Prompt from Start.
- Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. Approve the User Account Control prompt if it appears.
- Enter
powercfg.exe /hibernate offand press Enter. Microsoft documents this command for disabling hibernation in its Windows Client instructions and defines the/hibernate [on | off]option in the Powercfg command reference.
Do not delete hiberfil.sys manually. Windows manages this hidden system file on the operating-system drive; Microsoft’s documented method is to use Powercfg.
What disabling hibernation changes
Hibernation and the hibernation file
Hibernation saves system state to hiberfil.sys so the PC can resume later. Microsoft says the file’s size is approximately equal to installed RAM, but that does not guarantee a particular amount of space will be reclaimed on your PC. Check the system drive’s actual free space rather than assuming a fixed saving. See Microsoft’s hibernation guidance.
Fast Startup and hybrid sleep
Fast Startup uses the hibernation file to save the kernel session during shutdown. Hybrid sleep also uses a hibernation file on systems where it is enabled. Turning hibernation off makes both unavailable. Microsoft warns that if hybrid sleep is configured but hibernation is unavailable, a power loss while the PC is in hybrid sleep may result in data loss. Details are in Microsoft’s documentation on system power states and disabling hibernation.
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Sleep and shutdown are different
Sleep is intended for shorter breaks; hibernation is useful when a laptop or tablet will be unused longer and cannot be charged. Hibernation uses less power than sleep, but takes longer to resume. A full shutdown is a separate power state. Microsoft explains these differences in its guide to shutting down, sleeping, or hibernating a PC.
Decide whether to keep hibernation
| Keep hibernation | Disable hibernation |
|---|---|
| Preserves the option to save a session to disk and resume after a longer period without power. | Makes hibernation unavailable and removes Fast Startup and hybrid sleep, which rely on the hibernation file. |
| Retains hybrid-sleep recovery behavior where configured. | May recover space used by hiberfil.sys; the amount depends on the PC. |
| Best if you use low-power, longer-duration resume or depend on the related features. | Worth considering if you need system-drive space and do not use those features. |
Windows does not require you to disable hibernation simply because the PC has an SSD. The available Microsoft sources do not establish that turning it off improves SSD lifespan or performance. Base the choice on actual storage needs and whether you use hibernation, Fast Startup, or hybrid sleep.
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Re-enable hibernation later
If you want those functions back, open an elevated Command Prompt using the same Start-menu steps and run powercfg.exe /hibernate on, then press Enter. Microsoft lists this command in its instructions for re-enabling hibernation.
Windows 10 support status
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says it no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10 after that date. This power-setting command still addresses hibernation, but it does not change the operating system’s support status. See Microsoft’s Windows PC power-mode support page.
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