Delete Hibernation File Windows 10: Safe Steps
To delete the hibernation file (hiberfil.sys) in Windows 10, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run powercfg /h off. This disables hibernation and removes the file, freeing up disk space equal to about 40% of your RAM.
What Is hiberfil.sys?
Hiberfil.sys is a hidden system file stored at the root of your system drive (usually C:\hiberfil.sys). Windows creates it when you first enable hibernation. It holds a compressed snapshot of your RAM contents when your PC enters hibernation mode. Because it must store everything in memory, its size is roughly 40% of your installed RAM on most systems, though it can vary based on your hardware and Windows settings.
The file is not visible in File Explorer by default. You can see it only after enabling “Show hidden files� and unchecking “Hide protected operating system files� in Folder Options. Even then, you cannot delete it by right-clicking—Windows protects it while the system is running.
Why You Might Want to Delete It
The main reason to remove hiberfil.sys is to reclaim disk space. On a laptop with 16 GB of RAM, the file can occupy 6–7 GB. On a desktop with 32 GB, that jumps to 12–13 GB. If your SSD is nearly full, deleting this file can give you breathing room.
Other reasons include:
- You never use hibernation and prefer Fast Startup to be disabled.
- You are troubleshooting sleep or wake issues and want to reset the hibernation state.
- You are preparing a disk image and want to shrink the backup size.
Keep in mind that deleting the file also disables Fast Startup, which uses hibernation technology to make boot times faster. If you rely on Fast Startup, you may notice slower cold boots after removal.
How to Delete the Hibernation File
The only reliable way to remove hiberfil.sys is through the Power Options command-line tool. Follow these steps:
- Press Windows Key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Type
powercfg /h offand press Enter. - Close the window. The hibernation file is removed immediately.
To re-enable hibernation later, run powercfg /h on from the same elevated prompt. This recreates hiberfil.sys at its default size.
If you want to keep hibernation but reduce the file size, you can run powercfg /h /type reduced. This creates a smaller hibernation file that supports Fast Startup but not full hibernation. To revert to full size, use powercfg /h /type full.
What Happens After You Delete It?
Once you run powercfg /h off, several changes occur:
- Hibernation is disabled: The Hibernate option disappears from the Power menu in Start.
- Fast Startup is disabled: Your PC will no longer use the hybrid boot process, so cold boots may take a few seconds longer.
- Disk space is freed: The hiberfil.sys file is deleted immediately.
Your other power settings—such as sleep, screen timeout, and lid close actions—remain unchanged. You can still put your PC to sleep normally.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
“I can’t see hiberfil.sys even after showing hidden files.� This is normal. The file is protected by Windows and only appears when you also uncheck “Hide protected operating system files.� Even then, you cannot delete it manually—the command-line method is required.
“Deleting the file will break Windows.� No, it will not. Windows recreates the file automatically if you re-enable hibernation. The system handles its absence gracefully.
“I deleted it but the space didn’t come back.� If you used File Explorer to delete it (which is not possible normally), you might have only removed the file’s entry. The correct method is powercfg /h off. If space still isn’t free, check for other large files like pagefile.sys or run Disk Cleanup.
Alternatives to Deleting the File
If you don’t want to lose hibernation entirely, consider these options:
- Reduce the file size: Use
powercfg /h /type reducedto shrink hiberfil.sys to about half its normal size. - Use Disk Cleanup: Run the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files and system files, which may free enough space without touching hibernation.
- Move the paging file: The pagefile.sys file can also be large. You can move it to another drive or reduce its size via System Properties, but this is separate from hibernation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete hiberfil.sys?
Yes, it is safe when done through powercfg /h off. This is the official method and Windows handles it cleanly. You will lose hibernation and Fast Startup, but no other system functionality is affected.
Will deleting the hibernation file speed up my PC?
It will not directly improve performance. It only frees disk space. If your drive was nearly full, the extra space could help with temporary file creation and system stability, but it won’t make your CPU or RAM faster.
How do I check if hibernation is enabled?
Open Command Prompt and type powercfg /a. This shows which sleep states are available. If “Hibernate� is listed, hibernation is enabled. You can also check the Power menu in Start—if “Hibernate� appears, it’s on.
Can I delete hiberfil.sys from Safe Mode?
No, you should not try to delete it manually even in Safe Mode. The file is still protected. Always use the powercfg command, which works in normal mode with administrator privileges.
Does deleting hiberfil.sys affect the pagefile?
No, the pagefile (pagefile.sys) is separate. Deleting the hibernation file does not change the pagefile. If you also want to manage the pagefile, you must do that separately through System Properties.
How much space will I actually free up?
Typically, hiberfil.sys is about 40% of your installed RAM. For example, with 8 GB of RAM, expect roughly 3.2 GB; with 16 GB, about 6.4 GB. The exact size depends on your system’s configuration and whether you use the reduced hibernation file.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.