Windows 10 Fast Startup Feature

With windows 10 Microsoft Introduced lots of new features and Update the number of old features, And Fast Startup (Fast Startup is a combination between the normal shutdown and Hibernate function) is one of them. On Windows 8 / 8.1 Microsoft introduces the Fast Boot (Hybrid Shutdown) Feature To reduce the windows startup time and make Windows start faster. Now on windows 10 Microsoft change the fast boot feature with some improvements known as Fast Startup. If you don’t aware of Windows 10 Fast Startup Feature keep reading. In this post, we discuss what is Fast startup, and how to enable the Fast Startup feature on windows 10. Also, check what are the Advantages And Disadvantages Of the Windows 10 Fast Startup Feature.

What is Windows 10 Fast Startup Feature?

Windows 10 Fast Startup Feature (Also called Fast Boot in Windows 8) is a hybrid shutdown feature that works similarly to the hybrid sleep mode of previous versions of Windows. When you shut down your computer with Fast Startup enabled, Windows closes all applications and logs off all users, But the fast Startup feature saves the operating system state to a hibernation file. When you start the computer again, Windows does not have to reload the kernel, drivers, and system state individually. Instead, it just refreshes your RAM with the loaded image from the hibernation file and delivers you to the login screen. This technique makes your computer boot up even faster, saving valuable seconds every time you turn your machine on.

Note : Fast startup Feature only works if you have hibernate enabled (Check How To Enable / Disable  Hibernate option). Also, the fast startup Feature only affects Windows shutdowns, not restarts.

Hibernate Vs Fast Startup

Fast Startup is different from the regular hibernate feature. Fast Startup saves the freshly-started state of Windows. Meanwhile, the Hibernate option saves everything, including the current state, logged-in users, or open files, folders & applications. If you want to get back the exact state when you left your work, Hibernate is a great option but takes longer to boot up.

Advantages of Fast Startup

As described above, the advantage of having Fast Startup enabled is, the system boots up faster than windows 7. Normally When you shut down your computer, power from its components, such as CPU, RAM, CD-Rom, and hard disk is removed in a controlled manner. As opposed to plugging the power cable out, or a power outage, during the shutdown process, Windows closes all the open applications one by one and turns off the system in the end. But with Fast Startup Enabled when you shut down your windows, it closes all applications and logs off all users, and save the operating system state to a hibernation file on Windows kernel.

Next time When you start the computer again it just refreshes your RAM with the loaded image from the hibernation file and delivers you to the login screen. This Technic Windows Fast Startup Feature shave considerable time off your startup.

Disadvantages of Fast Startup

You can consider this Fast Startup is a great option in Windows 10 to make windows startup very fast. But there are some Disadvantages of Fast startup which force you to disable This feature.

As discussed Before When Fast Startup is enabled, your computer doesn’t perform a regular shutdown. Since applying new system updates often requires a shutdown, you may not be able to Install & apply updates and turn your computer off. This will cause Different problems ( Blue screen Error, Black Screen at startup ) for windows at startup.

When you shut down a computer with Fast Startup enabled, Windows locks down the Windows hard disk. You won’t be able to access it from other operating systems if you have your computer configured to dual-boot.

When enabling the Fast Startup feature and then turning off your computer, the main hard drive (C:\) will be locked. Therefore, you won’t be able to access it to get files & documents. This is a clear disadvantage for users who need to use Dual Boot on the same computer.

Depending on your system, you may not be able to access BIOS/UEFI settings when you shut down a computer with Fast Startup enabled. When a computer hibernates, it does not enter a fully powered down mode.

Also, most Windows users Report after disabling the Fast Startup Feature they are able to fix Different Blue Screen Errors, And Black Screen With cursor problems. Therefore This Fast Startup Cause Different Startup problems.

Enable Or Disable Windows 10 Fast Startup

By Default Fast Startup Feature is Turn on Windows 10 computers. But If you encounter any problems I would recommend disable fast startup to avoid any problems you may encounter in the future. Or if you previously disabled fast startup and plan to re Enable again Then here follow the below steps to Enable / Disable Fast Startup Feature on Windows 10.

  • Press the Windows key + s type control panel and select the first result,
  • Locate the power options on the control panel
  • Look at the left sidebar and click on the “Choose what the power buttons do” option.

Choose what power button do

  • On the next screen, click on the “Change settings that are currently unavailable” option.

Change settings that are currently unavailable

  • The “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” option will be there, along with all the other shutdown configurations.
  • All you need to do is to check or uncheck the box to enable or disable Fast Startup, respectively.

Fast Startup

Turn on Hibernate option

Note: If there are only two options: Sleep and Lock, then it means Windows Hibernate isn’t enabled yet. In this case, you have to turn The hibernate option First to enable Fast Startup.

Fast Startup not available

You Can Check Different ways to Enable Hibernate option on Windows 10. Or you can simply open the Command prompt as administrator And type the following command to enable the Windows Hibernate option.

powercfg /hibernate on

command enable hibernate

After type This command hit enter key to execute the command, You didn’t receive any output message which means hibernate options is enabled successfully.

Now follow again above steps (Control panel -> power option ->  choose what the power options do -> change settings that are currently unavailable ) This time you will see both the Hibernate & Fast Startup options will appear on the configuration page. Here turn on or Off the Fast startup Feature.

I hope after read This post you will clear about the Windows 10 Fast Startup Feature, How to Enable / Disable Fast Startup features. How fast startup works and Advantages And Disadvantages of  Fast Startup Feature. Still Have any Suggestions Feel Free to comment Bellow.

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Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.