What is the hiberfil.sys file and what is it used for in Windows 11?

Have you ever encountered the hiberfil.sys file Taking up a considerable amount of space on your Windows hard drive? Many users come across this mysterious file and, without knowing exactly what it's for, look for a way to fix it. delete it and recover that lost space. Others, however, don't even know about their existence until they feel their computer slow down or storage running low.

Today we are going to thoroughly analyze what the famous hiberfil.sys is, What is its actual function in Windows?, how you can manage, reduce, or eliminate it without causing problems for your system, as well as troubleshoot potential issues caused by hibernation.

What is hiberfil.sys and why does it appear in Windows?

The hiberfil.sys file is un hidden and protected file created by Windows automatically in the root of the drive where the operating system is installed. This file has a very specific purpose: store an exact copy of the contents of RAM when the computer enters hibernation modeThis way, when you turn your computer back on, Windows can restore everything you had open just as you left it: programs, documents, browser tabs, etc.

You have to remember that hibernation is not the same as sleep: While sleep saves the state in RAM (which continues to consume power), hibernation saves it to the hard drive, allowing the computer to shut down completely. This way, you can unplug the computer and, when you turn it back on, resume your session in a matter of seconds.

The size of hiberfil.sys is directly related to the amount of RAM you have installed. In fact, by default, it can take up to 40% of that amount. For example, if you have 8GB of RAM, hiberfil.sys can take up about 3,2GB; with 16GB of RAM, you could have a file as large as 6,4GB.

Can hiberfil.sys be deleted? What are the consequences?

Delete the hiberfil.sys file It is possible, but it has consequences: You'll lose the ability to put your computer into hibernation until you wake it up again. However, if you never use hibernation (something that's becoming more common on modern computers, especially those with SSD drives), you can skip it and save several gigabytes of space.

You can't just go to the root folder of C: and delete it like any normal file. Since it's a system file, It is protected and can only be managed through the command line with administrator permissions.Doing it wrong won't break Windows, but you'll lose that functionality.

Are there performance or stability risks? None, except for the inability to hibernate. If you use sleep or conventional shutdown, your computer will function just as before; you'll just lose the hibernation function. However, if you frequently work with laptops and rely on hibernation to save your computer's state, think again.

How to delete hiberfil.sys file step by step?

Follow these steps to remove hiberfil.sys from your hard drive in any modern version of Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator: Right-click the Start button and choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   powercfg /h off
   This will disable hibernation and automatically delete the hiberfil.sys file.
3. Close the command window and restart your computer if necessary.

Afterwards, if you want to reactivate hibernation, just repeat the process, but using:
powercfg /h on

Reduce the size of hiberfil.sys without deleting it

Are you interested in maintaining fast startup but don't need hibernation? You can reduce the file size by half and still save space. To do this:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (same as before).
2. Introduces:
   powercfg /h /type reduced

With this setting, The size of hiberfil.sys is reduced to 20% of the installed RAM, at the cost of giving up hibernation mode. Fast startup will still work.

If at any time you want to get back to full size (and all features), just run:
powercfg /h /type full

In what situations is it advisable to delete hiberfil.sys?

The cases in which it is interesting to delete the hiberfil.sys file are the following:

• If you don't use hibernation (for example, on desktop or laptop PCs that you always turn off completely).
• When you have an SSD and want to save space. Furthermore, SSDs make startups and shutdowns so fast that hibernation becomes pointless.
• If you are short on storage and you urgently need to free up space without losing basic functionality.

However, It is not recommended to remove it on older laptops or on computers where you really use hibernation often., since you might miss that option.

What happens if you delete hiberfil.sys on a laptop?

On laptops, The role of hibernation is key when you need to maintain your session for long hours, especially if you cannot charge your device during that time. If you delete the file, you'll lose the ability to hibernate, although sleep will still work. Therefore:

• If you run out of battery while suspended, you'll lose everything you haven't saved.
• With hibernation active, even if the battery runs out, you'll still be able to resume your full session when you recharge it.

Our advice: Delete hiberfil.sys only if you know for sure you don't use it or if you have regular backups.

What other similar files are taking up space in Windows?

In addition to hiberfil.sys, there are other system files that can take up a lot of space:

• pagefile.sys: Paging file that Windows uses as secondary virtual memory. If you have enough RAM and a fast SSD, you can manage or reduce its size, although it's generally best to leave it managed by the system unless you have specific needs.
• memory.dmp: Memory dump file after serious errors, useful only for advanced diagnostics.

En general, We do not recommend deleting these files lightly if you do not know exactly what they do and how they affect performance..

How to check hibernation status and hiberfil.sys file?

To find out if hibernation is active and how much hiberfil.sys is taking up:

1. Press Windows + R, type “cmd” and press Enter.
2. Run it as administrator (right-click the Command Prompt shortcut).
3. Use the command:
   powercfg /a
   This will show you what sleep modes are available on your computer.
4. Open File Explorer, click "View" > "Hidden Items," and navigate to the root of C:. Search for hiberfil.sys and it will show you the exact size.

If it doesn't appear, hibernation is disabled or the file has been deleted.

Can deleting hiberfil.sys affect disk performance and health?

On older HDDs, hibernation could speed up system startup considerably. However, on modern SSDs, it's preferable to leave hibernation disabled and save write cycles, as these drives are so fast that booting is barely different from a normal startup.

Deleting hiberfil.sys can be beneficial for the longevity of your SSD., in addition to giving you extra space. You won't notice much difference in daily use if you simply turn off or put your device to sleep.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

• The hiberfil.sys file does not disappear: Check if you ran the command as an administrator. If not, repeat the process, making sure you have sufficient permissions.
• You cannot activate hibernation: It may be due to settings in the BIOS, older drivers, or group policies in enterprise versions. Update your BIOS and drivers, and check your power settings.
• The computer hangs when resuming from hibernation: Make sure the file isn't corrupted. Disable hibernation, restart, and re-enable it to force the creation of a clean file.

Extra tips for advanced users

• Do not move, rename, or attempt to modify hiberfil.sys outside of official methods.
• If you use disk encryption, ensure that hibernation is supported.
• On corporate computers, consult with your system administrator before making changes to power management.

As you can see, Managing the hiberfil.sys file is simple and safe if you follow the right steps.Determine whether you really use or need hibernation, consider other ways to free up space before diving into protected files, and, above all, don't neglect the security of your data if you regularly work on laptops. Your system will thank you, and you'll regain that coveted space without unnecessary complications.