Windows

How To Turn Off Hibernation Windows 8

If you find that your Windows 8 computer takes too long to start up or wake from sleep mode, hibernation may be the culprit. Many users are unaware that hibernation is enabled by default on Windows 8, causing their systems to save all open documents and running programs to the hard drive whenever they sleep or shut down. This can significantly slow down the startup and shutdown processes. However, fear not, as turning off hibernation in Windows 8 is a relatively simple process that can help optimize your computer's performance.

To disable hibernation on your Windows 8 computer, you can follow these steps:

  • Open the Start menu and search for "Command Prompt."
  • Right-click on the Command Prompt result and select "Run as administrator."
  • Type "powercfg.exe /hibernate off" in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.


How To Turn Off Hibernation Windows 8

Understanding Hibernation Mode in Windows 8

Hibernation is a power-saving feature in Windows 8 that allows you to save your current session and turn off your computer, while still being able to return to your work exactly as you left it. When you put your computer into hibernation mode, it saves the contents of your RAM to the hard drive and then powers off. This allows you to quickly resume your work the next time you turn on your computer, without having to wait for it to boot up and open all your applications again.

While hibernation can be a convenient feature, there may be situations where you want to turn it off. For example, if you're using a desktop computer that is always connected to a power source, hibernation may not be necessary. Additionally, hibernation requires a certain amount of disk space to store the hibernation file, so disabling it can free up some storage on your hard drive. In this article, we will guide you through the process of turning off hibernation mode in Windows 8.

Method 1: Using the Command Prompt

The first method to turn off hibernation mode in Windows 8 involves using the Command Prompt. Follow the steps below:

  • Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu.
  • Select "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the list.
  • In the Command Prompt window, type powercfg.exe /hibernate off and press Enter.
  • Close the Command Prompt window.

By executing the above command, you have successfully turned off hibernation mode in Windows 8. You can now delete the hibernation file to free up disk space. Follow the steps below to delete the hibernation file:

  • Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E.
  • Click on the "View" tab in the File Explorer ribbon.
  • Check the box next to "Hidden items" in the Show/Hide section.
  • Navigate to the root of your C: drive.
  • Look for a file named "hiberfil.sys" and delete it.
  • Empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete the file.

Once you have completed these steps, hibernation mode will be fully disabled on your Windows 8 computer, and the disk space previously used for the hibernation file will now be available for other uses.

Method 2: Using the Control Panel

If you prefer using the graphical user interface (GUI), you can turn off hibernation mode in Windows 8 using the Control Panel. Follow the steps below:

  • Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu.
  • Select "Control Panel" from the list.
  • In the Control Panel, click on "System and Security" and then "Power Options".
  • Click on "Choose what the power buttons do" from the left-hand menu.
  • Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable".
  • Scroll down to the "Shutdown settings" section and uncheck the box next to "Hibernate".
  • Click "Save changes".

By following these steps, you have successfully turned off hibernation mode in Windows 8 using the Control Panel.

Why Turn off Hibernation in Windows 8?

There are several reasons why you might want to turn off hibernation mode in Windows 8:

  • Save disk space: Hibernation requires a large hibernation file to store the contents of your RAM. By disabling hibernation, you can free up valuable disk space.
  • Quicker startup: If you always keep your computer connected to a power source and don't need to save your session, disabling hibernation can allow for faster startups.
  • Resolve hibernation issues: Some users may experience problems with hibernation, such as the computer not waking up properly. Disabling hibernation can help troubleshoot these issues.

Turning off Hibernation on a Laptop

If you are using a laptop, it's important to note that turning off hibernation mode can impact your battery life. When hibernation is disabled, your laptop will no longer be able to save your session and power off, which means it will continue running on battery power until it is shut down or put into sleep mode manually. If you frequently use your laptop without a power source, it may be more convenient to keep hibernation enabled to preserve battery life.

Exploring Another Dimension of Turning off Hibernation in Windows 8

In addition to the methods discussed earlier, there is another way to disable hibernation mode in Windows 8. Let's take a look at it:

Method 3: Using Power Options

The third method involves using the Power Options in the Control Panel. Follow the steps below:

  • Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu.
  • Select "Control Panel" from the list.
  • In the Control Panel, click on "System and Security" and then "Power Options".
  • Click on "Change plan settings" next to your selected power plan.
  • Click on "Change advanced power settings".
  • Expand the "Sleep" option and then the "Hibernate after" sub-option.
  • Set both the "On battery" and "Plugged in" options to "Never".
  • Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

By following these steps, you have successfully disabled hibernation mode in Windows 8 using the Power Options in the Control Panel.

Important Considerations

Before you decide to turn off hibernation mode, here are a few important things to consider:

  • Power source: If you frequently use your computer on battery power, disabling hibernation may not be advisable as it can lead to quicker battery drain.
  • Work sessions: If you rely on hibernation to save your work sessions and resume them later, it's recommended to keep hibernation enabled.
  • Hard drive space: If you have limited disk space, disabling hibernation can free up valuable storage.
  • Boot time: By disabling hibernation, you may experience longer boot times as the computer needs to fully start up and open all your applications again.

Consider these factors and determine whether turning off hibernation mode is the right choice for your specific needs and usage patterns.

Turning off hibernation mode in Windows 8 can be a useful step to optimize your computer's performance and free up disk space. Whether you choose to use the Command Prompt, Control Panel, or Power Options, the process is straightforward and can be easily reversed if needed. Evaluate your usage requirements and decide whether disabling hibernation is the right choice for you.


How To Turn Off Hibernation Windows 8

Turning off Hibernation in Windows 8

If you want to turn off hibernation on your Windows 8 computer, there are a few steps you can follow:

  • Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
  • Click on "Power Options" to open the Power Options menu.
  • In the Power Options menu, look for "Choose what the power button does" on the left-hand side and click on it.
  • Click on the "Change settings that are currently unavailable" link located at the top of the page.
  • Scroll down to the "Shutdown settings" section and uncheck the box next to "Hibernate".
  • Click on "Save changes" to apply the new settings.

By following these steps, you can easily turn off hibernation on your Windows 8 computer. This can be useful if you want to save disk space or if you prefer to shut down your computer completely instead of using the hibernate feature.


Key Takeaways - How to Turn off Hibernation in Windows 8:

  • Access the Power Options settings in the Control Panel.
  • Select the "Choose what the power buttons do" option.
  • Click on the "Change settings that are currently unavailable" link.
  • Scroll down to the Shutdown settings section.
  • Remove the checkmark from the "Turn on fast startup (recommended)" option.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will address some frequently asked questions regarding how to turn off hibernation in Windows 8.

1. How can I disable hibernation mode in Windows 8?

To disable hibernation mode in Windows 8, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting "Run as administrator".

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command: powercfg.exe /hibernate off and press Enter.

This will disable hibernation mode in Windows 8.

2. Can I turn off hibernation mode using the Control Panel?

No, you cannot turn off hibernation mode using the Control Panel in Windows 8. You will need to use the Command Prompt with administrative privileges to disable hibernation.

3. What are the benefits of disabling hibernation mode?

Disabling hibernation mode can have several benefits:

1. It can free up disk space on your computer's hard drive, as hibernation files can consume a significant amount of storage.

2. It can reduce wear and tear on your computer's hard drive by minimizing the frequent read and write operations associated with hibernation.

3. It can improve system performance by preventing unnecessary processes related to hibernation.

4. How can I enable hibernation mode in Windows 8 after disabling it?

To enable hibernation mode in Windows 8 after disabling it, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command: powercfg.exe /hibernate on and press Enter.

This will enable hibernation mode in Windows 8.

5. Can disabling hibernation mode cause any issues?

Disabling hibernation mode in Windows 8 should not cause any major issues. However, please note that if you disable hibernation, you will not be able to use the hibernation feature on your computer. Additionally, if you rely on hibernation for power-saving purposes, disabling it may affect your power management options.



To turn off hibernation in Windows 8, you can follow a few simple steps. First, open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu. Then, click on the "Power Options" icon. In the Power Options window, click on "Choose what the power buttons do" on the left side of the screen. This will bring up a new window.

Next, click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable" near the top of the window. Scroll down until you find the "Shutdown settings" section. Here, you will see the option to enable or disable hibernation. Uncheck the box next to "Hibernate" to turn off hibernation on your Windows 8 device. Finally, click on the "Save changes" button to apply the settings. And that's it! You have successfully turned off hibernation in Windows 8.


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