Deleting the hibernation file in Windows 11 can free up a significant amount of disk space. The process involves disabling the hibernation feature in your system, which will automatically remove the hibernation file (hiberfil.sys). Follow these steps to safely delete the hibernation file on your Windows 11 computer.
How to Delete Hibernation File Windows 11
When you disable the hibernation feature on your Windows 11 device, it will delete the hibernation file. This file is used to save the system state when your computer goes into hibernation mode. By following these steps, you’ll successfully remove the file and reclaim precious disk space.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Open the Start menu and type "cmd." Right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator."
Running Command Prompt as an administrator is crucial because you need elevated privileges to disable hibernation. If you don’t run it as an administrator, you won’t be able to execute the necessary command to delete the hibernation file.
Step 2: Type the Command to Disable Hibernation
Type powercfg.exe /hibernate off and press Enter.
This command tells Windows to disable hibernation. Once you execute it, Windows will delete the hiberfil.sys file automatically. There’s no need to dig through system folders or manually delete the file yourself.
Step 3: Confirm the Deletion
Check your C: drive to ensure the hiberfil.sys file is gone.
After running the command, it’s good practice to confirm that the file has indeed been removed. Open File Explorer, go to the C: drive, and look for the hiberfil.sys file. If it’s no longer there, you’ve successfully deleted it.
After completing these steps, your system will no longer have the hibernation file. This change will free up disk space, although it will also disable the hibernation feature.
Tips for Deleting Hibernation File Windows 11
- Backup Your Data: Always make sure to backup important data before making system changes.
- Understand the Impact: Disabling hibernation will also disable fast startup, which might make your computer take longer to start.
- Re-enable Hibernation: If you change your mind, you can re-enable hibernation by typing
powercfg.exe /hibernate onin the Command Prompt. - Disk Space Check: Check your disk space before and after the deletion to see how much space you’ve saved.
- System Restore Point: Creating a system restore point before making changes can help you revert if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions about Deleting Hibernation File Windows 11
What is hibernation in Windows 11?
Hibernation is a feature that saves the current state of your computer to the hard drive, allowing you to power it off completely and resume where you left off later.
Can I re-enable hibernation after deleting the file?
Yes, you can easily re-enable hibernation by running the command powercfg.exe /hibernate on in Command Prompt as an administrator.
Will deleting the hibernation file affect my data?
No, deleting the hibernation file will not affect your personal data. It will only disable the hibernation feature.
How much disk space can I free up?
The hibernation file size is usually around 75% of your installed RAM. For instance, if you have 16GB of RAM, you could free up around 12GB of disk space.
Are there any risks involved?
There are minimal risks, but disabling hibernation will also disable fast startup and might impact some system performance aspects.
Summary
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type the command to disable hibernation.
- Confirm the deletion.
Conclusion
Deleting the hibernation file in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that can reclaim valuable disk space on your system. Although it involves disabling a useful feature, the benefits often outweigh the downsides, especially if you’re running low on storage. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can easily remove the hiberfil.sys file and enjoy a cleaner, more efficient computer.
If you’re curious about other ways to optimize your system, consider exploring additional cleanup and performance enhancement tips. Staying informed and proactive with your system maintenance can help keep your Windows 11 machine running smoothly for years to come. Don’t hesitate to re-enable hibernation if you find that you miss the feature; the process is equally as simple as turning it off!
For more detailed guides on system optimization, be sure to check out our other articles. Happy computing!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.