How to Delete hiberfil.sys for Good

Removing the unnecessary Hibernation mode file can save space

Sleeping tablet, laptop and computer

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by Tricia Goss
Tricia Goss has been a freelance writer and editor for 10+ years. She's written tips and tutorials for Microsoft Office applications and other sites.
Updated June 13, 2019

When your computer goes into Hibernate mode, Windows stores your RAM data on the hard drive. This allows it to save the system state without power usage and boot right back up to where you were. This takes up a great deal of drive space. When you delete hiberfil.sys from your computer, you will completely disable Hibernate and make this space available.

If you really don't need the Hibernate option, you can delete it by entering a command in Command Prompt. For this command, you must open Command Prompt as an administrator, also known as an Elevated Command Prompt. The method you use depends on what version of Windows you are using.

Re-Enabling Hibernate

If you change your mind, you can easily enable Hibernate again. Simply open the Command Prompt once more. Type powercfg.exe /hibernate on, press Enter and close the Command Prompt window. In Windows XP, simply open the Power Options Properties dialog box and select Enable Hibernation.

Windows 10

Disable Hibernate Mode screenshot

One way to open an Elevated Command Prompt in Windows 10 is from the Start menu.

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type command. You will see Command Prompt listed as the primary result. 
  3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator. 
  4. Click Yes if a User Account Control window appears requesting permission to continue. The Command Prompt window will open.
  5. Type powercfg.exe /hibernate off into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
  6. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows 8

Windows Key + X

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Use the Power Users task menu to open the Elevated Command Prompt.

  1. Press and hold the Windows Key and tap the X key to open the Power Users Tasks menu.
  2. Select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.  
  3. Click Yes if a User Account Control window appears requesting permission to continue. The Command Prompt window will open.
  4. Type powercfg.exe /hibernate off into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
  5. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows 7

Command Prompt Windows 7 Screenshot

To delete Windows 7 hiberfil.sys, you can use a keyboard shortcut to open Command Prompt as an administrator.

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type cmd into the Search box (but don't press Enter). You will see Command Prompt listed as the primary result in the Search menu.
  3. Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  4. Click Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears. 
  5. Type powercfg.exe /hibernate off into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
  6. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows Vista

Right-click Command Prompt Screenshot

To delete Windows Vista hiberfil.sys, you can access Command Prompt from the Start menu and then opt to run it as an administrator in Windows Vista. 

  1. Click Start.
  2. Select All Programs and then choose Accessories.
  3. Right-click Command Prompt in the list of options and then choose Run as Administrator. 
  4. Type powercfg.exe /hibernate off into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
  5. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows XP

Delete hiberfill.sys in Windows XP Screenshot

To delete hiberfil.sys in Windows XP, you have to take a slightly different approach than in other versions of Windows.

  1. Click Start and select Control Panel. 
  2. Choose Power Options to open the Power Options Properties dialog box. 
  3. Click on the Hibernate tab. 
  4. Click on Enable Hibernation to clear the check box and disable Hibernation mode. 
  5. Click OK to apply the change. Close the Power Options Properties box.