How to Delete hiberfil.sys for Good

Removing the unnecessary Hibernation mode file can save space

By
Tricia Goss
Tricia Goss
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Tricia Goss has been a writer and editor for 10+ years. She's written tips and tutorials for Microsoft Office applications and other sites.
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Tricia Goss
Updated November 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.

Instructions in this article apply to Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

Windows 10

Disable Hibernate Mode screenshot

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

  1. Select Search.

  2. Enter command. You will see Command Prompt listed as the primary result. 

    Searching for the Command Prompt.

  3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.  (Or select Run as Administrator in the right pane.)

    Selecting to run the Command Prompt as an admin.

  4. Select 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.

    The command prompt in Windows 10.

  6. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows 8

Close up of the windows key and alt key
Raysonho / Wikimedia Commons / CC0

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

  1. Press and hold the Windows Key and press X to open the Power Users Tasks menu.

  2. Select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.  

  3. Select Yes if a User Account Control window appears requesting permission to continue. The Command Prompt window will open.

  4. Enter powercfg.exe /hibernate off into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.

  5. Close the Command Prompt window.

Windows 7

Command Prompt Windows 7

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

  1. Select Start.

  2. Enter 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. Select  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

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. Select Start.

  2. Select All Programs and then select Accessories.

  3. Right-click Command Prompt in the list of options and then choose Run as Administrator. 

  4. Enter 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

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

  1. Select Start and select Control Panel. 

  2. Choose Power Options to open the Power Options Properties dialog box. 

  3. Select Hibernate. 

  4. Select Enable Hibernation to clear the checkbox and disable Hibernation mode. 

  5. Select OK to apply the change. Close the Power Options Properties box.