Disable fast startup windows 11
Contents
- 1 What is Fast Startup in Windows 11?
- 2 Why Disable Fast Startup? PROS AND CONS
- 3 How to Disable Fast Startup in Windows 11
- 4 Review: Is Disabling Fast Startup Worth It?
- 5 Final Thoughts
- 6 FAQs
- 6.1 What exactly does Fast Startup do?
- 6.2 Is disabling Fast Startup safe?
- 6.3 Will disabling Fast Startup slow down my PC significantly?
- 6.4 Why would I want to disable Fast Startup?
- 6.5 Does disabling Fast Startup also disable hibernation?
- 6.6 How do I check if Fast Startup is currently enabled?
- 6.7 Can I disable Fast Startup temporarily?
- 6.8 Does disabling Fast Startup fix blue screen (BSOD) or hardware recognition issues?
- 6.9 Does Windows Update work better with Fast Startup off?
What is Fast Startup in Windows 11?
Fast Startup (also called Hybrid Boot) is a feature designed to help your PC boot up faster after shutdown. It does this by saving a portion of system memory to a file (hiberfil.sys) on shutdown and reloading it on startup, instead of performing a full reboot.
Why Disable Fast Startup? PROS AND CONS
Pros
- Enabled by default for faster performance
- Useful on HDD systems
- Speeds up boot time
Cons
- Can prevent access to BIOS/UEFI via traditional methods
- Hibernate must be enabled, which consumes SSD space
- May cause problems with external hardware or peripherals
- Can interfere with dual-boot systems
- Prevents proper shutdown — some updates or driver changes may not apply until a full reboot
How to Disable Fast Startup in Windows 11
Method 1: Using Control Panel
- Open Control Panel
- Press
Windows + Sand typeControl Panel, then press Enter.
- Press
- Go to:
Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do - Click:
Change settings that are currently unavailable - Under Shutdown settings, uncheck the box that says:
✅ Turn on fast startup (recommended) - Click Save changes
Method 2: Using Command Prompt (Admin)
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Right-click Start > Windows Terminal (Admin)
- Type the command: bashКопироватьРедактировать
powercfg -h off - Press Enter
⚠️ This will disable hibernation as well as Fast Startup, and delete the hiberfil.sys file (saving space).
Review: Is Disabling Fast Startup Worth It?
| Criteria | Keep Fast Startup ON | Turn Fast Startup OFF |
|---|---|---|
| Boot Speed | Faster | Slightly Slower |
| System Stability | Occasionally buggy | More stable |
| Peripheral Compatibility | Can glitch | More reliable |
| BIOS/UEFI Access | May block | Always accessible |
| Dual-boot systems | Risky | Recommended |
Final Thoughts
If you’re using older hardware or want the fastest possible startup, Fast Startup is useful.
But if you:
- Need full shutdowns for system maintenance
- Use dual-boot with Linux/macOS
- Encounter hardware issues on wake-up
- Want to save SSD space
…then disabling Fast Startup is recommended.
FAQs
What exactly does Fast Startup do?
Fast Startup saves the current system state (kernel session and drivers) to a file on your hard drive (hiberfil.sys) so that Windows can boot faster by loading this file instead of initializing everything from scratch.
Is disabling Fast Startup safe?
Yes, it’s completely safe. Disabling it will not harm your computer — it simply causes Windows to perform a full shutdown and boot, which may take slightly longer.
Will disabling Fast Startup slow down my PC significantly?
Not significantly. You may notice a slightly longer boot time (a few seconds), but it won’t affect the overall performance once the system is running.
Why would I want to disable Fast Startup?
Reasons include:
Issues with drivers or USB peripherals
Trouble accessing BIOS/UEFI
Problems with dual-boot systems
Avoiding update glitches
Saving SSD space by turning off hibernation
Does disabling Fast Startup also disable hibernation?
No — not by default.
Disabling Fast Startup via Control Panel leaves hibernation intact.
If you run powercfg -h off via Command Prompt, that disables both Fast Startup and Hibernation and removes hiberfil.sys.
How do I check if Fast Startup is currently enabled?
Go to:Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do
If the box for “Turn on fast startup” is checked, then it’s enabled.
Can I disable Fast Startup temporarily?
No, there’s no built-in temporary option. You must manually turn it on/off in the settings.
Does disabling Fast Startup fix blue screen (BSOD) or hardware recognition issues?
In some cases, yes. Fast Startup can cause issues with:
Driver updates
External drives not mounting
USB devices not working after boot
Disabling it forces Windows to reload all drivers on boot, which may solve the problem.
Does Windows Update work better with Fast Startup off?
Sometimes. Updates that require a full reboot might not apply properly if Fast Startup is on, as the system is not actually shutting down fully.
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