How to Delete hiberfil.sys For Good?

Let’s talk about a simple way to create more room on your computer. You might not know it, but there’s a file called “hiberfil.sys” that could be taking up a lot of space. This file is used for something called Hibernation mode, which you might not even use.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to remove this file and turn off Hibernation mode. Don’t worry if you’re not very tech-savvy – we’ll walk through it step by step. This works for all recent versions of Windows, including Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

So, are you ready to reclaim some space on your computer? Let’s get started!

How to Free Up Space by Removing the hiberfil.sys Hibernation File on Windows?

Want to create more room on your computer? Let’s talk about a simple way to do that. There’s a file called “hiberfil.sys” that might be taking up a lot of space on your computer.

This file is used for Hibernation mode, which you might not even use. Here’s how you can remove this file and turn off Hibernation mode on different versions of Windows.

#1 Delete hiberfil.sys On Windows 10

To free up some disk space, you can turn off Hibernation with a simple command. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the Start menu and type “command” in the search bar.
2. When you see Command Prompt, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator.
3. If a window pops up asking for permission, click Yes.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type this exactly: “powercfg.exe /hibernate off”
5. Press Enter on your keyboard.
6. You can now close the Command Prompt window.

That’s it! You’ve just disabled Hibernation and removed the “hiberfil.sys” file, giving you more free space.

#2 Delete hiberfil.sys On Windows 8

The process is similar on Windows 8. Here’s how you do it:

1. Press the Windows key and X at the same time.
2. From the menu that appears, select Command Prompt (Admin).
3. If asked for permission, click Yes.
4. Type “powercfg.exe /hibernate off” in the Command Prompt window.
5. Press Enter.
6. Close the Command Prompt window.

You’ve now freed up space by turning off Hibernation.

#3 Delete hiberfil.sys On Windows 7

If you’re using Windows 7, here’s what you need to do:

1. Click the Start button and type “cmd” in the search box.
2. When you see Command Prompt, press Ctrl, Shift, and Enter together.
3. If asked for permission, click Yes.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type “powercfg.exe /hibernate off”
5. Press Enter.
6. Close the Command Prompt window.

You’ve successfully disabled Hibernation and removed the “hiberfil.sys” file.

#4 Delete hiberfil.sys On Windows Vista

Here’s how to free up space on Windows Vista:

1. Click Start, go to All Programs, then Accessories.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type “powercfg.exe /hibernate off”
4. Press Enter.
5. Close the Command Prompt window.

You’ve now disabled Hibernation and removed the space-consuming file.

#5 Delete hiberfil.sys On Windows XP

If you’re still using Windows XP, the process is a bit different:

1. Click Start, then go to Control Panel.
2. Open Power Options.
3. In the window that opens, click the Hibernate tab.
4. Uncheck the box next to Enable Hibernation.
5. Click OK to save your changes.

You’ve now turned off Hibernation and freed up some space on your computer.

Why Remove the Hibernation File?

Let’s talk about why you might want to delete the “hiberfil.sys” file. When your computer goes into Hibernate mode, it saves everything you’re working on to your hard drive. This lets you turn off your computer completely and then start up right where you left off. Sounds great, right?

Well, there’s a catch. This convenient feature needs a lot of space on your hard drive. The “hiberfil.sys” file can be quite large, sometimes taking up several gigabytes of space. If you’re running low on storage, removing this file can free up a significant amount of room.

So, if you don’t use Hibernate mode often, or if you’re more concerned about having extra space on your computer, removing the “hiberfil.sys” file might be a good choice for you.

How to Turn Hibernation Back On

If you decide later that you want to use Hibernate mode again, don’t worry. It’s easy to turn it back on. Here’s how:

For Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator (remember how we did it earlier?).
2. Type this command: “powercfg.exe /hibernate on”
3. Press Enter.
4. Close the Command Prompt window.

For Windows XP:

1. Go to the Control Panel.
2. Open Power Options.
3. Click on the Hibernate tab.
4. Check the box next to Enable Hibernation.
5. Click OK to save your changes.

Hibernate mode will be back on, and your computer will create a new “hiberfil.sys” file.

Remember, whether you keep Hibernate mode on or off depends on how you use your computer. If you often need to quickly save your work and shut down, Hibernate can be really useful. But if you’re short on space and don’t mind a slightly longer startup, keeping it off might be better for you.

Wrapping Up

Now you know how to manage the “hiberfil.sys” file on your computer. Whether you decide to keep Hibernate mode or turn it off, you’re in control.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It all depends on how you use your computer and what’s most important to you – quick startup or more storage space.

We’ve covered a lot of ground, from Windows XP all the way to Windows 10. You’ve learned how to remove the file, why you might want to, and how to bring it back if you change your mind.

What do you think? Will you be removing the “hiberfil.sys” file from your computer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

FAQ

What is hiberfil.sys?

Hiberfil.sys is a system file used by Windows to save the current state of the PC to the hard disk when it goes into Hibernate mode. This file allows the computer to resume where it left off without restarting all processes from scratch.

Why should I delete the hiberfil.sys file?

Deleting hiberfil.sys frees up disk space consumed by this file, which can be substantial, especially on systems with large amounts of RAM. It’s useful for users who do not use Hibernate mode and prefer to reclaim this space for other storage purposes.

How do I delete hiberfil.sys in Windows 10?

To delete hiberfil.sys in Windows 10, open Command Prompt as Administrator, type powercfg.exe /hibernate off, press Enter, and then close the Command Prompt window.

Can I re-enable Hibernate mode after deleting hiberfil.sys?

Yes, you can re-enable Hibernate mode at any time by opening Command Prompt as Administrator and typing powercfg.exe /hibernate on, then pressing Enter.

Is it safe to delete hiberfil.sys?

Yes, it is safe to delete hiberfil.sys if you do not use the Hibernate feature. Deleting the file will not affect your computer’s ability to perform other functions but will simply disable the Hibernate option.

What should Windows XP users do differently to manage hiberfil.sys?

Windows XP users need to navigate to the Power Options in the Control Panel, click on the Hibernate tab, and then deselect ‘Enable Hibernation’ to disable and delete hiberfil.sys.