How to check if the Hiberfil.sys file is taking up more space than necessary

Are you running out of space on your Windows computer? You might be on the hunt for files to delete to free up some space. In that case, you should check if the Hiberfil.sys file is taking up more space than necessary. This post explains how. What is this file, how do I see its size, and what can I do to reduce it?.

The Hiberfil.sys file is taking up more space than necessary: ​​What is its function?

When it comes to reclaiming storage space on a Windows computer, the Hiberfil.sys file is one of the first to raise its hand. It can take up several valuable gigabytesEspecially on solid-state drives (SSDs), where every gigabyte counts. It's no wonder they're often targeted by optimization tools like WinDirStat o TreeSizeBut why does it take up so much space?

• To understand why the Hiberfil.sys file is taking up more space than necessary, it's helpful to review its function.
• Its name already tells us that it is related to the process of Hibernation from the computer.
• When the PC enters this mode, it saves all the contents of the RAM to the disk and completely shuts down the computer.
• This allows you to resume your session exactly where you left off the next time you turn on your computer.

It is worth noting that Hibernation mode is not the same as Suspension modeIn the latter, RAM remains active, consuming power to keep the data stored in it alive. Conversely, in Hibernation mode, the system copies the data in RAM and saves it to the hard drive. This allows you to shut down the computer completely without losing any data or settings.

Then, when you turn the computer back on, the system loads the copy into RAM. This way, you not only notice that the computer starts up faster, but you can also pick up your work exactly where you left off. The Hiberfil.sys file is also responsible for manage the Fast Startup functionThis feature is enabled by default and makes the PC boot faster after each shutdown.

Why does it take up so much space?

But how can you tell if Hiberfil.sys is taking up more space than necessary? How much space it takes up will depend on the amount of installed RAM and configured hibernation mode by the system. Normally, Windows automatically adjusts its size, but sometimes it can grow too large. Or it can even remain too large even if you don't use Hibernation mode.

Therefore, The more RAM you have, the larger the Hiberfil.sys file will be.For example, on a PC with 16 GB of RAM, Hiberfil.sys can take up between 6 and 12 GB of storage. That's a lot, especially if your drive is small (a 128 GB SSD, for example). Windows allocates that amount of GB to ensure there's enough space to store the complete system state before a shutdown.

Even if you don't use Hibernation mode, Hiberfil.sys can take up a lot of space. manage the Quick Start functionThis feature is enabled by default on modern computers and speeds up startup. It does this by saving a portion of the system state to the hard drive before shutting down the computer. When you turn it back on, it executes this saved file to make the startup process faster.

How to check if Hiberfil.sys is taking up more space than necessary

There are several ways to find out if Hiberfil.sys is using more space than necessary. The best part is that they are all simple and don't require any external tools. You can see how much space it takes up using File Explorer.And from the Command Prompt, you can reduce its allocated size or disable the function completely. Let's review each procedure.

But first, keep this in mind: Windows adjusts the file size according to the selected hibernation mode. In full hibernation mode, the system saves the entire contents of RAM, meaning the Hiberfil.sys file can occupy between 70% and 100% of the installed memory. Reduced hibernation mode is used by Fast Startup, and It usually occupies between 20% and 40% of the RAM.

For example, if you have 8 GB of RAM, a normal Hiberfil.sys file should be between 2 GB and 6 GBAnd if you have 16 GB of RAM, the usual range is between 4 GB and 12 GBIn the image above, for a laptop with 8 GB of RAM, the Hiberfil.sys file occupies just over 3 GB. Since this is within the appropriate range, no further action is required.

Check the file using Windows Explorer

The easiest way to View the size of the Hiberfil.sys file It's done through Windows File Explorer. There's no need for external tools or a complex procedure. Just follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select the drive where Windows is installed, normally C:.
3. In the top bar, select See – Show – Hidden elements.
4. Now, back in the top bar, click on the three horizontal dots (See more) and select Options.
5. A new window with Folder Options will open. Go to the tab See.
6. In the Advanced Settings list, uncheck the box «Hide protected operating system files (recommended)Select Yes in the warning box and click on Accept.
7. You'll see the list of files in Explorer get bigger. Look among the new files for the one we're interested in: Hiberfil.sys.
8. Right-click on it and select Properties. There you will see the file size in GB.

Check and modify the Hiberfil.sys file from the Command Prompt

Another way to check and modify the Hiberfil.sys file is through the Command Prompt. We'll show you which commands to use to view or adjust the file size by modifying the Hibernation mode. You can reduce or disable it permanently, which will give your disk a few extra gigabytes.From the Command Prompt as Administrator, do this:

1. Run the command dir c:\hiberfil.sys to see the file size in bytes.
2. To find out if Hibernation is enabled and what modes are available, run the command poercfg /a.
3. To reduce the size of the Hiberfil.sys file while still using hibernation or Fast Startup, run the command powercfg /h /type reduced.
4. To disable hibernation and delete the Hiberfil.sys file, run the command powercfg /h off.

And remember that it is rarely necessary to completely delete the Hiberfil.sys file. The best thing you can do is reduce its size or, if you don't mind it taking up some space, keep it in full mode.To make the right decision, first check how much space it takes up and whether it's necessary or excessive. That way, you'll gain those extra gigabytes you so desperately need.