How to Enable and Use Hibernation in Windows 11

To hibernate in Windows 11, you need to first enable the hibernation option within your system's power settings and then select it from the power menu. Hibernation saves all open documents and running applications to your hard disk and then shuts down your PC, allowing you to resume exactly where you left off without consuming any power.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to enable and utilize hibernation in Windows 11:

Enabling hibernation involves a few straightforward steps through the Control Panel's Power Options. Once enabled, you can easily put your PC into hibernation mode.

Step 1: Access System Settings via Control Panel

To begin, you need to launch the Control Panel to access the power options.

• Search for Control Panel: Click on the Start button or press the Windows key + S to open the search bar. Type "Control Panel" and select the best match from the results.
• Alternatively, through Run: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type control and press Enter.

Step 2: Launch Power Options

Once the Control Panel window is open, you need to locate and select "Power Options."

• View by Category: If your Control Panel is set to "View by Category," click on "Hardware and Sound," then select "Power Options."
• View by Icons: If your Control Panel is set to "Large icons" or "Small icons," simply find and click on "Power Options" directly.

Step 3: Enable Windows 11 Hibernation Mode

This is the crucial step to make the hibernation option available in your power menu. The reference states "Enable Windows 11 hibernation mode," which typically means making the option visible and selectable.

1. In the Power Options window, on the left-hand pane, click on "Choose what the power buttons do."
2. Next, you'll see a setting that says "Change settings that are currently unavailable." Click on this link to enable modifications to the shutdown settings. You might be prompted for administrator privileges.
3. Under the "Shutdown settings" section, you will now see options like Sleep, Hibernate, Lock, etc. Check the box next to "Hibernate" (if it's unchecked).
4. Click "Save changes" to apply the new settings.

Step 4: Enable Hibernate (Initiate Hibernation)

Now that the hibernation option is enabled and visible, you can use it to put your Windows 11 PC into hibernation.

• Via Start Menu:

  1. Click on the Start button.
  2. Click on the Power icon (usually at the bottom right of the Start menu).
  3. Select "Hibernate" from the options provided.

• Via Power Button (if configured): If you've configured your physical power button or lid close action to hibernate in the "Choose what the power buttons do" settings, you can also use that method.

By following these steps, your Windows 11 computer will save its current state and shut down, allowing you to resume your work exactly as you left it when you power it back on.