How to Hibernate Windows 11 [Enable Hibernate in 3 Ways]

We all know about the Hibernate mode in Windows devices. It is a lot similar to Sleep mode but different in many ways too. Sleep mode lets you leave your work and Windows device as they are and your work would be saved in the RAM of the device. That is a convenient trick for anyone who works for a long session on their Windows devices. But, Hibernate mode is slightly different, while doing the same thing. While working on your device, you can put it to hibernate mode and all of your work data would be saved in the hard disk of your device in hiberfil.sys file. You can then turn off your device and whenever you turn it on again, you can continue working just where you left.

Hibernate vs Sleep Mode

The major difference between Sleep mode and Hibernate mode is the place of storage. Sleep mode stores your working data in the device’s RAM, so you can’t completely shut down your device and cut the power supply. While Hibernate mode saves your working data in your device’s hard disk, so you can shut down your device and get your progress back once you turn on your Windows device again. Another difference between the two methods is that Hibernate mode greatly boosts up the speed of your Windows device upon booting. This might be a benefit over Sleep mode but keep in mind that it also takes space in your device’s hard disk. Sometimes that space might even be up to some Gigabytes.

How to Hibernate Windows 11 PC:

Whew! All these details are good for someone who’s new to the Windows world. But if you’re not a new user and wanna know how to enable or disable Hibernate mode on your Windows device, then you’re at the correct place. Since the update to Windows 11, you can’t find the Hibernate mode option in the power menu. So, this time around, we’d show you several ways to enable Hibernate mode on your Windows 11 device with the easiest instructions.

Just follow these steps for the 1st Way: 

1. Search and open Control Panel.
   
   
2. Among all the options you see over there, find and select “Power Options”. 
   
   
3. Now, the Power Options window will appear. On the left side of your screen, you’ll see a sidebar, click on “Choose what power button does”. 
   
   
4. You’d then see a link saying “Change settings that are currently unavailable”. Click on that link and you’d be shown the Shutdown Settings section.
   
   
   
5. There’d be a checkbox next to ‘Hibernate’. Check the box and then save the changes.
   
   
6. From the next time around, you’d see an option to Hibernate your Windows 11 device when you’d try to shut it down in the power section. 
   
   

Enable Hibernate on Windows 11 using Registry Editor

 The second method includes the use of Registry Editor. As mentioned in our previous article on how to add startup apps in Windows 11, Registry Editor comes in handy in more than one way. Here are the steps to enable Hibernate mode in Windows 11 using Registry Editor: 

1. Click the Start icon on the taskbar of your Windows device.
   
2. Search for Regedit in the search bar.
   
3. Click on the first option, which is Registry Editor, or simply press the enter key.
   
4. If a dialogue box appears, asking to make changes, choose Yes from the options given.
   
5. When the Registry Editor App opens, type this in the address bar
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power
   You can also copy and paste this address. 
   
6. Hit the enter key.
   
7. You’d then be taken to the desired window. Now find HibernateEnabledDefault on the right pane and double click on it.
   
8. For the value data, type 1 and then click OK.

Enable Hibernate on Windows 11 using CMD

Now let’s move on to our 3rd and last way to enable Hibernate mode on Windows 11. This method includes CMD Command Prompt. Follow this step-by-step guide to enable Hibernate mode with our 3rd way:

1. Press Windows + S on the keyboard.
2. Type cmd.exe in the search bar.
3. You’ll then see Command Prompt in the best match. Click on “Run as administrator” on the right side of your screen. It’d be the second option on the right side. 
4. Now Windows would ask you if you’d want to allow Command Prompt to make changes to your device. Click on “Yes”, what choice do you have if you want to continue?Windows sometimes acts like a villain, right?
5. Now type this on the Command Prompt- 
   “powercfg.exe /hibernate on”
   You can also copy and paste it, whatever suits you the best. 
6. Press the “enter” key and you’re done.

If you want to disable the Hibernate mode option, simply replace on from the command with off. Actually, this is what I mean- “powercfg.exe /hibernate off”

You can use this command to disable the Hibernate mode option. 

Ready to Hibernate your Windows 11?

These were the fastest and the easiest ways to enable Hibernate mode on your Windows 11 device. Hibernate mode can be of great use for everyone. It saves energy, makes your computer work faster, and lets you take small or large breaks while working for a long session. It really makes it easier for the users to work longer on their Windows devices while suiting themselves.

It is a widely used setting which is preferred by many and we hope you understand the reason for it. 

Sleeping Mode is also a great way to do so and if you wanna know how to use it, then feel free to ask us, we’d be happy to help.

Please make sure to comment down your views and questions regarding Hibernate mode or Sleep mode.