Difference Between Sleep and Hibernate Mode in Windows

Difference Between Sleep and Hibernate Mode

This article will explain the difference between sleep and hibernate options within the Windows operating system. Sleep mode & Hibernate mode, both available in the series of Microsoft Windows operating system.

In Windows, sleep and hibernate are both known as power-saving modes on a Windows computer.

Both of them work, when the user is not in the computer or not using the computer and later resumes it back exactly where he/she left it.

To access both modes, we need to locate Power Options, which are available in the Windows control panel of Windows.

The objective of both modes is to save power as much as possible, but functions are a bit different from each other.

difference between sleep and hibernate

Sleep Mode vs Hibernate Mode

To understand the difference between sleep and hibernate mode, we need to know about both. Hence, read carefully about them in the topics below:

[Read: Use Windows 10 Laptop While Lid Closed]

What is Sleep Mode in Windows?

Sleep mode or suspend to RAM is a low power mode, which consumes very little power. Windows will start faster and you will be exactly back where you left your Windows in last use.

During this mode, all the operations are shut down or stopped and the power load reduces extensively. Users can use this mode when going for a short break such as, going for a coffee break.

Note: Sleep mode is available for both desktop and laptops.

What is Hibernate Mode in Windows?

Hibernate mode or suspend to Disk uses less power than sleep and when you start up the PC again, you’re back to where you left off. The wake up process may take time as compared to sleep mode.

In Windows hibernate, the computer saves all the content from random access memory (RAM) to a hard disk and then turns off everything just like a regular system shutdown.

Doing a hibernate will create a hiberfil.sys file on the local disk, which will be the same size as the amount of the system memory consumed.

Note: Hibernate mode is designed for laptops and most probably not available for other PC’s. 

Windows Hibernate vs Sleep

S. No Sleep Mode Hibernate Mode
1. Low power consumption Zero power consumption
2. It resumes the system instantly It resumes slowly
3. Good for Shorter periods of time (short break) Good for a longer period of time
4. Suspended to RAM Suspended to Disk
5. The process stopped and work was saved to RAM memory Work saved to hard disk
6. The system is in use as the process is running in the background System not in use
7. Instantly wake up Take time to wake up

Hopefully, the above explanation helped you to know the difference between sleep and hibernate mode of Windows.

In addition, this will help you decide whether you want to put your Windows in sleep mode or in hibernate mode.

Comment below for further questions or query.

Share this post to help others!!

3 thoughts on “Difference Between Sleep and Hibernate Mode in Windows

  1. yup….it was good…..but check your table content. u messed and shifted the content vice versa from point 3. just edit it soon. good work yo!!

Leave a Reply