Disable hibernation for faster startup and to avoid sensitive data storage
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- Impact: High
System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High
This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
- Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
- Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
- Fully reversible
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.
The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
Overview
This script commands your system to deactivate the hibernation feature. Hibernate is a power-saving state that saves your current work and turns off the computer 1. When your computer hibernates, it saves the contents of its RAM to your hard disk and powers off the machine 2. Upon starting again, your computer can restore all the open programs and documents from your hard disk to its RAM 1.
If hibernation mode is enabled, sensitive data stored in RAM are be written to disk 2. The memory can contain private data, passwords, keys and so on. This could be accessed by malicious software or people with physical access to the computer. By disabling hibernation, this script reduces the risk of such potential privacy breaches.
It configures hibernate by using powercfg command line tool 3.
This script should only be used by advanced users.
This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.
Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.
Sources
- 1. (2023).
Original: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/shut-down-sleep-or-hibernate-your-pc-2941d165-7d0a-a5e8-c5ad-8c972e8e6eff
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230806164910/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/shut-down-sleep-or-hibernate-your-pc-2941d165-7d0a-a5e8-c5ad-8c972e8e6eff - 2. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/kernel/system-sleeping-states
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230712211259/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/kernel/system-sleeping-states - 3. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/powercfg-command-line-options
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230806165041/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/powercfg-command-line-options
Apply Now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
Download script
Download and run the script directly- No app needed
- Offline usage
- Easy-to-apply
- Free
- Open-source
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable hibernation for faster startup and to avoid sensitive data storage" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on the button above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
Apply with privacy.sexy
Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable hibernation for faster startup and to avoid sensitive data storage" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable hibernation for faster startup and to avoid sensitive data storage
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 3
Run
Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.
- Apply
- Revert
powercfg -h off
InBvd2VyY2ZnIC1oIG9uIg==
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable hibernation for faster startup and to avoid sensitive data storage" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
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About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
undergroundwires- Certified security professional
- 7+ years experience securing banks
- Open-source developer since 2005
- EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
- Open-Source Contributors
- Hundreds across the globe
- Testers, reviewers, developers
- Companies, military agencies
- Community since 2017
Reviewed By
This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:Expert review by undergroundwires
- Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
- Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
Public review by large community
- Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
History
We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.