How to Enable Hibernation in Windows

Introduction

Putting your Windows 10 computer in hibernation saves the current state of your computer and any open files so that when you power your machine back on everything you had open will load just as you left it. By default most Windows 10 computers don’t show the hibernate option in the list of power options for turning your computer off. Thankfully, if you miss the option, you can easily add it back. In this article I’ll show you how to enable hibernation in Windows 10. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in the YouTube video below.

Steps to Enable Hibernation on Windows 10

1. Navigate to your Windows 10 home screen, and then press the “Windows” and “R” buttons at the same time.
2. Enter “powercfg.cpl” in the Run dialog box, and then click “Enter.”
3. Select “Choose what the power buttons do” in the menu on the left side of the screen. Associated options are shown on the right side of the screen. The options in the Shutdown Settings are likely not clickable.
4. Click “Change Settings That Are Currently Unavailable” directly above the options. The items in the Shutdown Settings section will no longer be grayed out.
5. Click to place a check mark next to “Hibernate” and then click “Save Changes.” Going forward whenever you view the power off options on your Windows computer, the option to put your computer in hibernation will appear in the list.

5 Reasons to Enable Hibernation in Windows 10

1. Energy Efficiency

One of the most compelling reasons to enable hibernation in Windows is to save energy. When you enable hibernation, your PC saves the contents of its RAM to the hard disk. This action allows the computer to power off completely. Unlike sleep mode, where the computer still consumes power, hibernation cuts energy use drastically. This is especially useful for those who are environmentally conscious or looking to reduce electricity bills. Furthermore, this setting is beneficial for laptop users. It prolongs battery life when you’re not near a power source. Opting for hibernation can make a significant difference in how efficiently your device uses power.

2. Preserving Data

Hibernation is a safeguard for your work and data. When you hibernate your PC, it saves the state of your open applications and documents to the hard disk. This means that you can return to the exact state your system was in before it was turned off. This feature is invaluable for preserving unsaved data during sudden power outages or unexpected interruptions. It’s also a perfect solution for those who frequently switch between tasks and require a quick startup without losing progress. Additionally, hibernation can be a more reliable option than sleep mode, which still risks data loss if the battery dies or power is cut.

3. System Maintenance

Enabling hibernation can contribute to easier system maintenance. This is particularly true for IT professionals and system administrators. With hibernation enabled, updates and backups can be scheduled to run during off-hours. Once complete, the system can hibernate rather than run idle, which reduces wear on the components. This maintenance approach is also more secure. It minimizes the risk of intrusion during vulnerable times when the system is not actively monitored. As a bonus, hibernation can make these maintenance tasks less disruptive to the user, since the system state is preserved.

4. Long-term Stability

Using hibernation can enhance the long-term stability of your Windows system. Frequent use of hibernation reduces the thermal stress on your computer’s components. Components like the CPU and hard drive face less wear from constant heating and cooling cycles. This can potentially extend the lifespan of your hardware. Additionally, hibernation avoids the small corruptions that can occur when a system is abruptly turned off. This ensures that your system runs more smoothly and remains reliable over time. For users who care about the longevity of their device, turning on hibernation is a smart choice.

5. Convenience

Finally, the sheer convenience of hibernation cannot be overstated. It provides the best of both worlds: the complete power-off state of shutting down and the quick resume of sleep mode. This is particularly useful for users who need to start working immediately without waiting for their systems to boot up completely. It’s also convenient for those who move between locations and need their system ready to go at a moment’s notice. Whether you’re a business professional, a student, or just a casual user, hibernation offers a seamless way to pause and resume your computing activities without hassle.