How to Specify Hiberfile Type as Full or Reduced in Windows 10
Hibernation files are used for hybrid sleep, fast startup, and standard hibernation (described earlier). There are two types, differentiated by size, a full and reduced size hibernation file. Only fast startup can use a reduced hibernation file.
Hibernation file type hiberfil.sys default size Supports Full 40% of physical memory hibernate, hybrid sleep, fast startup Reduced 20% of physical memory fast startup
Hibernate is a power-saving S4 state designed primarily for laptops, and might not be available for all PCs (PCs with InstantGo don't have the hibernate option). While sleep puts your work and settings in memory and draws a small amount of power, hibernation puts your full current state (ex: open documents and programs) on your hard disk to the hiberfile (C:\hiberfil.sys), and then turns off your computer. Hibernate uses less power than sleep and when you start up the PC again, you’re back to where you left off (though not as fast as sleep). Use hibernation when you know that you won't use your laptop or tablet for an extended period and won't have an opportunity to charge the battery during that time.
Hybrid sleep is a special state that's a combination of the S1-S3 sleep and S4 hibernation states, it's when a system uses a hibernation file with S1-S3. It's only available on some systems. When enabled, the system writes a hibernation file but enters a higher-powered sleep state. If power is lost while the system is sleeping, the system wakes from hibernation, which takes longer but restores the user's system state.
Fast startup (aka: hiberboot, hybrid boot, or hybrid shutdown) is turned on by default in Windows and is a setting that helps your PC start up faster after shutdown. Even faster than hibernate. Windows does this by saving an image of the Windows kernel and loaded drivers to the hiberfile (C:\hiberfil.sys) upon shutdown so when you start your PC again, Windows simply loads the hiberfile (C:\hiberfil.sys) into memory to resume your PC instead of restarting it.
Fast startup requires that hibernate be enabled. If you only want to use fast startup and don't plan on using hibernate, then you can specify the hiberfile type as reduced to significantly reduce the size of the hiberfile (C:\hiberfil.sys) to about half of its full size.
Hiberfile type:
Full = Supports being able to enable hibernate and turn on fast startup (hiberboot). The hiberfile (C:\hiberfil.sys) will be 40% of physical RAM installed on your computer. Hibernate is available to be added to the power menu.
Reduced = Only supports being able to turn on fast startup (hiberboot) without hibernate. The hiberfile (C:\hiberfil.sys) will be 20% of physical RAM installed on your computer. Removes hibernate from the power menu.
This tutorial will show you how to specify the desired hiberfile type to be reduced or full in Windows 10.
Here's How:
1 Open an elevated command prompt.
2 Do step 3 (full) or step 4 (reduced) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
powercfg /h /type full
A) Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
powercfg /h /type reduced
If the hibernation file is set to a custom size greater than 40%, then the command will return a The parameter is incorrect error. You must first set the size of the file to zero with the command below, then retry changing the hibernation file type to reduced.
powercfg /h /size 0
5 When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Related Tutorials
- How to Enable or Disable Hibernate in Windows 10
- How to Add or Remove Hibernate from Power menu in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Fast Startup in Windows 10
- How to Check if Last Boot was from Fast Startup, Full Shutdown, or Hibernate
- How to Enable or Disable Windows To Go Workspace using Hibernate on Windows 10 PC