What is hiberfil.sys, and is it safe to remove it from Windows 10?

The hiberfil.sys usually takes up too much space on the hard drive. Although it is a hidden file, some users may still accidentally encounter it while tinkering through various folders under the Windows drive.

In this article, we will try to discuss what the hiberfil.sys is, and if it is safe to remove on your Windows computer. We will be providing a thorough guide as well as answering some of the most common questions regarding the “hiberfil.sys” file.

What is hiberfil.sys?

To fully understand the hiberfil.sys file, we need to define first some of the most common Windows power options such as Sleep, Shut down, and Restart.

When you click the power option on your Windows computer, the first option is called Sleep. This option (also called standby) will hibernate your computer, and it will always be ready to take action once you press a key, or flip open the display.

The next option is, Shut down, which simply means your computer will completely turn off, while Restart (another term for a reboot) basically means your computer will turn itself off, but will automatically turn itself on which refreshes the system.

To save power, most users shut down their computers which require load-up times whenever they want to use them again. However, one of the better options is to actually put the computer to sleep. It will use some battery but it is, at the very least, a minimal usage. And since the computer is on standby, there is no waiting for the system to load up the next time someone wants to use it.

Now, to enable the sleep function, the hiberfil.sys file is needed. Sleep uses this file to easily access and retain the information in your computer’s memory. The computer can do this by writing the information on the storage drive rather than on RAM which only stores data for a short term and resets everything during the reboot process.

Where to find the hiberfil.sys?

Since the hiberfil.sys file is an essential file, the Windows system hides it. However, you can easily locate the file using the steps below:

1. Start by pressing the Windows key button, and search for File Explorer Option.
2. Now, click the View tab, and look for Hidden files and folders.
3. Choose Show hidden files, folders, and drives, then scroll below and uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended). Click Apply.
4. Launch the File Explorer app, then navigate to This PC”. Look for Windows (C:), or sometimes Local Storage (C:). Scroll to the bottom and look for the hiberfil.sys file.

How to disable hiberfil.sys on Windows 10?

Other than the removal of the Sleep mode, we find no other implications when disabling the hiberfil.sys file. If are sure that you can operate your computer without it, and you really need that extra storage that it occupies, then it is safe to remove this file.

The following is the guide on how to remove it.

1. Launch the “Command Prompt” as an administrator by pressing the “Windows Logo” key and then typing “cmd”. Right-click (or use the two-finger tap gesture) on the Command Prompt app to reveal the “Run as administrator” option.
2. In the Command Prompt, type in “powercfg.exe –h off” and press “Enter”.
3. To apply the changes, restart your computer.

How to re-enable hiberfil.sys on Windows 10?

The steps for re-enabling the hiberfil.sys file is just as easy as disabling it. The following are the steps on how to do it:

1. Launch the “Command Prompt” as an administrator again by pressing the “Windows Logo” key and typing “cmd”. Right-click the Command Prompt app to reveal the “Run as administrator” option.
2. In the Command Prompt, type in “powercfg.exe –h on” and press “Enter”.
3. Again, to apply the changes you will need to restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it OK to delete hiberfil.sys?

Yes. It is Ok to delete the hiberfil.sys if you are not using the Sleep or Hibernate feature to release some of the extra storage it is consuming. There are no implications for the removal of this file as your computer will automatically create a copy of it again during the following startup process.

Can I move the hiberfile.sys to another partition or external drive?

You can’t move the hiberfil.sys to another partition. Just like any other Windows system file, the hiberfil.sys file should ALWAYS be in its original location to continue working. Moving it from its original location to a new one will disable the Sleep/Hibernate function, and will duplicate the already big file upon the next startup.

How do I reduce the file size of the hiberfil.sys?

To reduce the file size of the hiberfil.sys, you add to launch the Command Prompt as an administrator, then enter “powercfg /h /type reduced”.

How do you disable hiberfil.sys on Windows 8?

1. To disable the hiberfil.sys on Windows 8, press and hold the “Windows” key and click the “X” to launch the Power Users Tasks menu.
2. Now, select the “Command Prompt (Admin)”, then click “Yes” if asked for permission to continue.
3. When the “Command Prompt” window opens, type “powercfg.exe /hibernate off” and press the “Enter” key. To turn it on again in the future, just enter “powercfg.exe /hibernate on”.
4. Restart your computer to refresh.

How do you disable hiberfil.sys on Windows XP?

1. Click “Start” and select “Control Panel”.
2. Choose “Power Options” to open the “Power Options Properties“ dialog box, then click on the “Hibernate” tab.
3. Unmark the checkbox for “Enable Hibernation” to disable the Hibernation mode.
4. Click OK to apply the changes.
5. Close the window, and restart the computer to refresh.