How To Add Hibernate Option In Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

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5 min. read

Published on November 4, 2025

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The hibernate option in Windows 11 can be a convenient way to save your work and power down your computer while using minimal energy. Unlike sleep mode, which keeps your system in a low-power state, hibernation saves your current session to your hard drive, allowing you to completely shut down your PC without losing any progress. This is particularly useful for laptops where battery life is a concern.

However, the hibernate option is not always enabled by default in Windows 11. If you can’t find it in your power menu, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through the simple steps to add the hibernate option to your Windows 11 power menu, so you can take advantage of this useful feature.

Where do I find the Hibernate option in Windows 11?

Enable Hibernate via Command Prompt

This is the most straightforward method to enable hibernation.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

Search for “cmd” in the Windows search bar.
Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”

Type the command:

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: powercfg /hibernate on

Close Command Prompt:

Type exit and press Enter.

Check the Power Menu:

Click the Windows Start button.
Click the Power icon.
You should now see the “Hibernate” option in the menu.

Enable Hibernate via Control Panel

This method provides a graphical interface for managing power settings.

Open Control Panel:

Search for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and open it.

Navigate to Power Options:

Click on “Hardware and Sound.”
Click on “Power Options.”

Choose What the Power Buttons Do:

In the left pane, click on “Choose what the power buttons do.”

Change Settings That Are Currently Unavailable:

If prompted, click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable.” This requires administrator privileges.

Enable Hibernate:

Scroll down to “Shutdown settings” and check the box next to “Hibernate.”

Save Changes:

Click “Save changes” at the bottom of the window.

Check the Power Menu:

Click the Windows Start button.
Click the Power icon.
You should now see the “Hibernate” option in the menu.

Verify Hibernation is Working

After enabling hibernation, it’s a good idea to test if it’s functioning correctly.

Save Your Work:

Make sure to save any open documents or projects.

Select Hibernate:

Click the Windows Start button.
Click the Power icon.
Select “Hibernate.”

Wait for the PC to Shut Down:

Your computer will shut down. This process may take a few moments.

Power On Your PC:

Press the power button to turn your computer back on.

Verify Your Session is Restored:

Windows should restore your previous session, with all your applications and documents open as they were before you hibernated.

Tips

If you don’t see the “Hibernate” option even after following these steps, ensure your graphics drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes interfere with power management features.
If you are using a desktop, ensure that “Hybrid Sleep” is disabled. This setting can sometimes conflict with hibernation. You can find this setting in the advanced power settings.
Hibernation requires sufficient disk space to save your current session. If you are running low on disk space, you may encounter issues with hibernation.

Comparing Sleep, Hibernate, and Shut Down

Here’s a table summarizing the key differences between sleep, hibernate, and shutting down your computer:

Feature	Sleep	Hibernate	Shut Down
Power Consumption	Low	Very Low (Almost Zero)	Zero
Session Saved	In RAM	On Hard Drive	Not Saved
Startup Time	Fast	Slower than Sleep, Faster than Shut Down	Slowest
Use Case	Short Breaks, Quick Resumption	Extended Breaks, Conserving Battery	When Not Using the Computer for a Long Time

Enjoy the convenience of Hibernation in Windows 11

By following these simple steps, you can easily add the hibernate option to your Windows 11 power menu and enjoy the benefits of quickly saving your work and conserving battery life. This feature provides a valuable alternative to sleep mode and a complete shutdown, catering to different usage scenarios and power-saving needs.

FAQ

Why is there no hibernate option in Windows 11? The hibernate option is sometimes disabled by default in Windows 11 to save disk space or due to specific system configurations.

How much disk space does hibernation use? Hibernation uses disk space equal to the amount of RAM your computer has.

Is hibernation the same as sleep mode? No, hibernation saves your session to the hard drive and completely shuts down the PC, while sleep mode keeps the system in a low-power state in RAM.

Can I disable hibernation to free up disk space? Yes, you can disable hibernation using the command powercfg /hibernate off in Command Prompt as administrator.

Will hibernation damage my computer? No, hibernation is a safe and reliable feature that will not damage your computer.