Shrink hiberfil.sys but keep Fast Startup — via Microsoft Learn

Commandlow riskNeeds adminWindows 11Windows 10

A "reduced" hibernation file is only big enough for Fast Startup, not full hibernation, so it uses much less disk space. Good for small SSDs on PCs where you never use Hibernate but want quick boots.

Takes effect right away

Command

Run in an administrator Command Prompt / Terminal window.

powercfg /hibernate /size 0
powercfg /hibernate /type reduced

Undo

powercfg /hibernate /type full

The first command hands the file size back to Windows; Microsoft documents that a custom size of 40% or more counts as a full hiberfile, so the type can't be changed to reduced until the size is OS-managed. With a reduced file the Hibernate option disappears.

Sources

Powercfg command-line options — /hibernate /type — by Microsoft Learn
System power states — Fast startup: reduced hibernation file — by Microsoft Learn

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.

hibernatehiberfil.sysreducedfast startupdisk space

Check memory pressure, not 'free RAM' — via Apple Support

Tricklow risk

A Mac that shows almost no free memory is usually fine: macOS keeps recently used files cached in RAM so apps reopen faster. The number that matters is the Memory Pressure graph in Activity Monitor, which combines free memory, swap and cached files.

List every login and background item in one report — via Howard Oakley, The Eclectic Light Company

Commandlow riskAdmin

The Login Items screen often shows vague names that don't tell you which app installed what. An undocumented command dumps macOS's full list of login and background items, with the app and file behind each one, to a text file you can read.

Keep your Mac awake for a while with caffeinate — via SS64

Commandlow risk

Need your Mac to stay awake during a long download, render or presentation without changing your sleep settings? The built-in caffeinate command holds sleep off for as long as you say, then everything goes back to normal on its own.

Shrink hiberfil.sys but keep Fast Startup — via Microsoft Learn

Command

Undo

Sources

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