Where Is the Windows Hibernation File?
Where Windows keeps hiberfil.sys, how big it gets, and the command that removes or restores it.
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hiberfil.sys sits at the root of C: and holds the RAM snapshot Windows writes when hibernating. It typically runs to a large fraction of installed memory, which is why it tops every mysterious disk space audit on laptops with 16 GB or more.
There is no delete key for it in Disk Cleanup: the file exists exactly when hibernation is enabled and vanishes when it is not. The powercfg switch is the whole interface. Shrinking instead of removing is possible too (powercfg /hibernate /size), at the cost of failed hibernation under heavy memory load.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
C:\hiberfil.sys
Hidden system file at the drive root: enable protected operating system files plus admin rights to even see it. Do not delete it in Explorer; toggle hibernation with powercfg instead so Windows manages the file consistently.
Frequently asked questions
How do I delete hiberfil.sys to free space?
Run powercfg /hibernate off in an elevated terminal to delete it, powercfg /hibernate on to bring it back. Disabling also kills Fast Startup, which depends on hibernation machinery, so expect slightly slower boots on spinning drives.
Do I need hiberfil.sys if I only use Sleep?
Yes for hibernation, no for sleep. Sleep keeps RAM powered and needs no file; hibernate writes RAM to hiberfil.sys and powers off fully. Laptops with dead batteries lose sleep sessions but keep hibernated ones.
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