How to Delete Hiberfil.sys Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide for Users

Deleting hiberfil.sys in Windows 10 is pretty straightforward and involves a few simple steps. You’ll need to access the Command Prompt with administrative privileges and input a specific command. This will disable hibernation mode and delete the hiberfil.sys file from your system.

How to Delete hiberfil.sys in Windows 10

In this section, we’ll walk through each step necessary to delete the hiberfil.sys file from your Windows 10 system. By following these steps, you’ll be able to free up some disk space and disable the hibernation feature.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Press the Start button, type “cmd” into the search bar, and right-click on “Command Prompt” to select “Run as administrator.”

Opening Command Prompt with administrative privileges is crucial because the commands we will use require elevated permissions. Without these permissions, you won’t be able to make the necessary changes to your system files.

Step 2: Disable Hibernate Mode

Type powercfg -h off and press Enter.

This command will turn off the hibernation feature on your Windows 10 system. When hibernation is disabled, Windows will automatically delete the hiberfil.sys file from your hard drive.

Step 3: Confirm Hiberfil.sys is Deleted

Navigate to C: to check if the hiberfil.sys file has been removed.

After running the command to disable hibernation, you should check the root of your C: drive to ensure that the hiberfil.sys file is no longer there. This file is usually hidden, so you might need to enable the option to view hidden files.

Once you’ve completed these steps, the hiberfil.sys file will be removed from your system, freeing up disk space and disabling the hibernation feature.

Tips for Deleting Hiberfil.sys in Windows 10

• Backup Important Data: Always perform a backup before making changes to system files.
• Check for Hidden Files: Ensure that you can view hidden files to verify that hiberfil.sys is deleted.
• Know What You’re Disabling: Understand that disabling hibernation also disables Fast Startup, which can increase boot times.
• Re-enable Hibernate if Needed: You can always re-enable hibernation by using the command powercfg -h on.
• Monitor Disk Space: After deletion, check your disk space to see how much has been freed up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hiberfil.sys?

Hiberfil.sys is a system file used by Windows to save the current state of your PC when it goes into hibernation.

Is it safe to delete hiberfil.sys?

Yes, it’s safe, but it disables the hibernation feature and Fast Startup.

How much space does hiberfil.sys take up?

The file can take up several gigabytes, often equal to the amount of RAM in your system.

Can I re-enable hibernation later?

Yes, simply use the powercfg -h on command in Command Prompt.

Will deleting hiberfil.sys improve system performance?

Not directly, but it will free up disk space, which can be beneficial if you’re running low.

Summary

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Disable Hibernate Mode with powercfg -h off.
3. Confirm Hiberfil.sys is Deleted.

Conclusion

Deleting hiberfil.sys in Windows 10 can be a great way to free up some disk space if you’re not using the hibernation feature. Following the steps outlined above, you can easily remove this file and disable hibernation. While losing hibernation and Fast Startup might not be ideal for everyone, the benefits of extra disk space could outweigh the downsides.

If you’re the type who likes to keep things tidy and running smoothly, this might be a small yet effective tweak for your system. If you ever change your mind, you can always re-enable hibernation using the same Command Prompt, making this a reversible change. For more tips on optimizing your Windows 10 experience, be sure to check out other articles and tutorials. Happy computing!