The hibernation feature is turned on by default in Windows 10. When the hibernation feature is turned on, Windows creates hiberfile.sys file in the root folder of the drive where Windows 10 is installed (which is usually the drive “C”).
As you likely know by now, the size of the hiberfil.sys is approximately 40% of the amount of RAM installed on your computer (it was about 75% in earlier versions). That is, for instance, the hiberfil.sys file size is about 3.2 GB on a computer where 8 GB RAM is installed.
The hibernation file (hiberfil.sys) is a hidden system file, and you need to make appropriate changes to the File Explorer view settings to know its size.
Is it possible to move the hibernation file?
No. Windows 10 and earlier versions of the Windows operating system don’t allow you to change the default location of the hibernation or hiberfil.sys file. You cannot move the hibernation or hiberfil.sys file to a different drive.
Therefore, if you are looking for a way to move the hibernation file to free up disk space, try out the 18+ ways out there to free up drive space in Windows 10 or reduce the size of the hiberfil.sys file.
Can I reduce the size of the hibernation file?
Yes, there is a provision in Windows 10 (and earlier versions) to shrink the hiberfil.sys file. Depending on the current size of the hiberfil.sys file, you might be able to reduce its size by up to 50%. In other words, you might be able to reduce the hibernation file size to half of the original size without affecting the performance. Here is how to reduce the hibernation file size.
IMPORTANT: If the hiberfile.sys size is 40% of the amount of the RAM installed, you might not be able to reduce its size further.
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as administrator. To do this, type CMD in the Start/taskbar search field, right-click on the Command Prompt entry and then click the Run as administrator option.
Step 2: At the Command Prompt window, type the following command:
Powercfg –h –size percentsize
In the above command, replace percentsize with your value, but it cannot be smaller than 50. For instance, to set the size to 70% of the original size:
Powercfg –h –size %70
The Command Prompt will display the size of the new hibernation file upon successfully executing the command.
You may close the Command Prompt window now.
RJ says
I have managed to set mine lower than 50% in Windows 10 Home 19045.
40% seems to be the lowest it will actually accept. It will take lower values but then simply revert to 40% size anyway. I suspect YMMV.