How to Activate the Hibernate Mode in Windows 10

  • In Hibernate mode, Windows 10 stores your open documents and programs on your hard drive and shuts down the device.
  • It is like the deep version of sleep mode, but with less power consumption. 
  • But with the new SSDs, your computer can wake up very fast even from Hibernate mode. 
  • If you want to know how to active the Hibernate mode in Windows 10, check out this guide. 

 

The Power menu in Windows comes only with 3 options – Sleep, Shut down, and Restart. But did you know, you can add a fourth option that will hibernate your computer?

By default, this feature is disabled, and in Windows 10, you have to activate it manually. If you want to know how to activate the hibernate option, here is a step-by-step guide. 

What is Hibernate in Windows?

Hibernate (suspend to disk) was designed for laptops and tablets. This is a reason why it is not available for desktop users in the Power menu by default. 

The Hibernate feature is similar to sleep mode, with the exception that the system stores your open documents and running programs on your hard drive and shuts down your computer. It is like the deep version of sleep mode. But when you go into Hibernate mode, your computer uses even less power than in sleep mode. 

This is perfect for laptops and tablets.  You can put your device into Hibernate mode, leave it in your bag, and it won’t run out of power.

Note: If you after a few days lose power, you will still be able to continue with your work, when you left off).

With old hard drives, there was an advantage with a wake-up speed of your computer (it wakes up in a matter of seconds), but with the new SSDs, your computer wakes up even from Hibernate mode faster than you think.

 

How to Activate the Hibernate Mode in Windows 10

 

STEP 1: Go to the Start menu, and open the Settings panel.

STEP 2: Click on System and then open the Power and sleep in the left panel.

STEP 3: Scroll down, and then click the Additional power settings link.

 

How to activate hibernate mode
How to enable the Hibernate mode in Windows 10 / Nechstar, click to zoom

 

STEP 4: This action will open the Power Option in the classic Control panel.

STEP 5: Find the Choose what the power buttons do option in the left panel and click on it.

 

Activate Hibernate mode
Hibernate mode is similar to sleep mode but has less power consumption / Nechstar, click to zoom

 

STEP 6: Next click the Change Settings that are currently unavailable link. This will allow you to make changes in the shutdown options.

STEP 7: In the next step, you need to check the box next to the Hibernate feature.

 

 Activate Hibernate mode windows
Should really hibernate your laptop? / Nechstar, click to zoom

 

STEP 8: Click on the Save changes button and that’s it. 

 

Really that’s it. Try to open the Start menu and click the Power button. You should see the Hibernate is now available from the menu. 

 

Why Hibernate is Disabled in Windows 10?

If you don’t see the hibernate option in the Power settings, it may be because Hibernate is disabled. By default, the Hibernate mode is disabled in Windows 10, you can only see 3 options in the Power menu: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart.

 

Hibernate vs Shutdown vs Sleep: What is the Difference?

Sleep mode is the less power efficient mode of these three options. This is because it still uses a little bit of power to run background processes in Windows 10. Waking up your computer from sleep mode is fast.

Hibernate mode is the deeper version of sleep. It saves the system on your disk and then shuts down the device. It still uses some power, but the amount is so low, that your laptop can be in Hibernate mode for weeks. With SSD, waking up your computer is as fast as sleep mode.

The shutdown is the ultimate option. When you shut down your computer, all your programs close and the PC shuts down the operating system. Unlike the previous options, turning on your PC when shut down, means, you have to undergo a standard booting process.

 

Is Hibernate Mode Better Than Sleep Mode?

This is more about personal preference. I personally like the Hibernate option more than Sleep, because in the era of SSDs it allows me to quickly start the system from hibernation and continue in the work where I left. And with this mode, I can have my laptop in a bag longer without worrying that the battery is run out.

 

I hope this guide was helpful, and you would like the new Hibernate mode on your computer. If you need any additional help, you can use the comment section. You can also check out the Nechstar YouTube channel, where we have several Windows 10 tutorials.

 

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