How to Enable or Disable Hibernate in Windows 7

How to Enable or Disable Hibernate in Windows 7
Information
This will show you how to enable or disable Windows 7 Hibernate by restoring or deleting the Hibernation File. When disabled, the Hibernate option is missing from the Start Menu, Shut Down Windows, and the Advanced Power Plan Options.
Note
By default in Windows 7, the size of the hibernation file (hiberfil.sys) will be the same as the amount of installed RAM on your computer.
Tip
You can set your computer to either use or not use the Hybrid or Hibernate sleep mode option from the Advanced Power Plan Options.




OPTION ONE:
To Enable Hibernate
Note
Only using this method to disable hibernation will delete the hiberfil.sys file.

1. To Enable Hibernate -

A) Open a Elevated Command Prompt.

B) In the elevated command prompt, type powercfg -h on and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

Hibernate - Enable or Disable-enable.jpg

2. To Have Computer Automatically Hibernate After Specified Minutes -
NOTE: You can also use a hibernate shortcut to manually put the computer into hibernation instead or in addition to this option.

A) Open your Power Plan Options to change the advanced power settings, then expand Sleep and Hibernate. (See screenshot below)

Hibernate - Enable or Disable-power_options.jpg

B) Now set your Power Plan settings to the recommended settings for Hibernate to set the Setting (Minutes) to how many minutes you want your computer to be inactive before hibernating, then click on OK. (See screenshot above)

3. Close the elevated command prompt.



OPTION TWO:
To Disable Hibernate

1. Open a Elevated Command Prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, type powercfg -h off and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

Hibernate - Enable or Disable-disable.jpg

3. Open Power Options to change the advanced power settings, and expand Sleep and Hibernate after. (See screenshot below)

Click image for larger version Name: Power_Options.jpg Views: 3099 Size: 115.6 KB ID: 9532

4. Under Hibernate after, set the Setting (Minutes) to Never. (See screenshot above)

5. Under Allow hybrid sleep, set Setting to Off. (See screenshot below step 3)

6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 3)

7. Close the elevated command prompt.

That's it,