How Do You Disable Fast Startup in Windows 10?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Windows OS

In today’s fast-paced digital world, every second counts—especially when it comes to booting up your computer. Windows 10 introduced a feature called Fast Startup, designed to speed up the boot process by combining elements of a cold shutdown and hibernation. While this feature can be a time-saver for many users, it’s not without its quirks and potential drawbacks. For some, disabling Fast Startup can resolve hardware compatibility issues, improve system stability, or simply provide a cleaner shutdown experience.

Understanding how Fast Startup works and why you might want to disable it is essential before making any changes to your system settings. Whether you’re troubleshooting persistent problems, preparing your PC for dual-boot configurations, or just prefer a traditional startup routine, knowing how to turn off this feature can empower you to tailor your Windows experience to your needs. In the following sections, we’ll explore the reasons behind disabling Fast Startup and guide you through the process step-by-step, ensuring your system runs exactly how you want it to.

Steps to Disable Fast Startup in Windows 10

To disable Fast Startup on a Windows 10 computer, you need to adjust settings within the Control Panel and System options. This process requires administrative privileges to access and modify power settings.

Begin by opening the Control Panel. You can do this by typing “Control Panel” into the search bar next to the Start menu and selecting the app from the results. Once inside the Control Panel, navigate to the “Power Options” section. If you do not see this option immediately, ensure the view is set to either “Large icons” or “Small icons” rather than “Category.”

Inside Power Options, look for the link labeled “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left-hand sidebar and click it. This screen shows the current settings for power button actions and Fast Startup options.

Since the Fast Startup setting is tied to shutdown behaviors, you will need to click the “Change settings that are currently unavailable” link near the top of the page. This step unlocks the grayed-out options below.

Scroll down to the “Shutdown settings” section. Here, you will find a checkbox labeled “Turn on fast startup (recommended).” To disable Fast Startup, uncheck this box.

After making the change, click “Save changes” at the bottom of the window to apply the new settings.

Alternative Methods to Disable Fast Startup

Besides the Control Panel method, Fast Startup can also be disabled through other interfaces, which might be preferable in certain scenarios.

  • Using Command Prompt:
  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  • Execute the following command to disable hibernation, which also disables Fast Startup:

“`
powercfg /h off
“`

  • This method disables the hibernation file, which Windows uses for Fast Startup, effectively turning it off.
  • Using Registry Editor:
  • Open the Registry Editor by typing `regedit` in the Run dialog (Win + R).
  • Navigate to:

“`
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power
“`

  • Find the value named `HiberbootEnabled`.
  • Set its data to `0` to disable Fast Startup.
  • Restart the computer for the change to take effect.

Be cautious when editing the registry, as incorrect changes can affect system stability.

Impact of Disabling Fast Startup

Disabling Fast Startup affects how your system manages shutdown and startup processes. Understanding these impacts helps in making an informed decision.

Aspect Effect When Fast Startup Is Enabled Effect When Fast Startup Is Disabled
Boot Time Faster startup due to partial hibernation of kernel session Slower startup as system performs full initialization
Shutdown Process Partial shutdown; kernel session is hibernated Complete shutdown, clearing all sessions
Compatibility May cause issues with some drivers or dual-boot setups Improved compatibility with hardware and software
Power Consumption Uses more disk space to save hibernation file Frees disk space by disabling hibernation file

Disabling Fast Startup is often recommended when troubleshooting hardware problems or when using multiple operating systems on the same device, as it ensures a full reset of system hardware and drivers during boot.

Verifying Fast Startup Status

After disabling Fast Startup, it’s important to verify that the change has been applied correctly.

  • Check via Control Panel:
  • Return to the “Shutdown settings” page in Power Options.
  • Confirm that the “Turn on fast startup” checkbox remains unchecked.
  • Using Command Prompt:
  • Run the command:

“`
powercfg /a
“`

  • This displays the sleep states available on your system.
  • If Fast Startup is disabled, “Fast Startup” will be listed as unavailable due to hibernation being disabled.
  • System Behavior:
  • Observe the shutdown and startup process times.
  • A full shutdown and slightly longer boot time typically indicate Fast Startup is off.

Regular verification helps maintain the desired system configuration and prevents unexpected behaviors related to power management.

Disabling Fast Startup Through Power Options

Fast Startup is a feature in Windows 10 designed to reduce the boot time by saving the system state to a hibernation file upon shutdown. However, disabling this feature can resolve issues with dual-boot setups, hardware recognition, or driver conflicts. Follow these steps to disable Fast Startup via the Power Options menu:

  • Press Windows + X and select Power Options from the menu.
  • In the Power Options window, click on Additional power settings located on the right side under the Related settings section.
  • In the new window, click Choose what the power buttons do from the left sidebar.
  • Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable to enable modification of the shutdown settings.
  • Under the Shutdown settings section, uncheck the box labeled Turn on fast startup (recommended).
  • Click Save changes to apply the new configuration.

This method ensures that Windows will perform a full shutdown instead of using the hybrid shutdown method that Fast Startup employs.

Disabling Fast Startup Using Command Prompt

For users comfortable with command-line interfaces or managing multiple machines via scripts, the Command Prompt offers a quick way to disable Fast Startup. Follow these instructions:

  • Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges by searching for cmd in the Start menu, right-clicking it, and selecting Run as administrator.
  • Enter the following command to disable Fast Startup:
powercfg -h off

This command disables hibernation, which automatically disables Fast Startup because the feature relies on hibernation files.

  • To re-enable Fast Startup later, you can turn hibernation back on with the command:
powercfg -h on

Verifying Fast Startup Status

After disabling Fast Startup, it is prudent to verify whether the setting has been successfully applied. You can check the status through the registry or Power Options:

Method Steps Expected Outcome
Power Options
  • Navigate to Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
  • Check if the Turn on fast startup checkbox is unchecked.
 Checkbox remains unchecked, indicating Fast Startup is disabled.
Registry Editor
  • Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  • Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power
  • Check the HiberbootEnabled DWORD value.
  • If HiberbootEnabled = 0, Fast Startup is disabled.
  • If HiberbootEnabled = 1, Fast Startup is enabled.

Considerations When Disabling Fast Startup

Disabling Fast Startup can have some implications that should be considered before making the change:

  • Longer Boot Times: Since the system no longer uses a hybrid shutdown, boot times may increase slightly.
  • Compatibility with Dual Boot: Disabling Fast Startup prevents issues with accessing other operating systems on dual-boot configurations.
  • Hardware Detection: Some devices or drivers may fail to initialize properly with Fast Startup enabled, so disabling it can improve hardware compatibility.
  • Hibernation Dependency: Turning off Fast Startup also disables hibernation, which removes the option to hibernate your PC unless you re-enable it.

Expert Perspectives on Disabling Fast Startup in Windows 10

Dr. Emily Chen (Senior Systems Engineer, Microsoft Windows Division). Disabling Fast Startup in Windows 10 can resolve certain hardware compatibility issues and improve system stability during shutdown and startup cycles. However, users should be aware that turning off this feature may increase boot times, as the system will perform a full shutdown rather than a hybrid one.

Rajiv Patel (IT Infrastructure Specialist, TechSecure Solutions). From a security standpoint, disabling Fast Startup is advisable in environments where full system shutdown is necessary to ensure that all sessions and processes are completely terminated. This prevents potential data leakage or unauthorized access that might persist with the hybrid shutdown enabled by Fast Startup.

Linda Morales (Certified Windows Support Technician, Global Tech Support). Many users experience issues with device drivers or external peripherals not initializing correctly due to Fast Startup. Disabling this feature often resolves these problems by allowing the system to reload drivers fresh during a full boot sequence, enhancing overall hardware compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Fast Startup in Windows 10?
Fast Startup is a feature in Windows 10 designed to reduce boot time by saving the system state to a hibernation file upon shutdown, allowing faster startup when the computer is powered on again.

Why would I want to disable Fast Startup?
Disabling Fast Startup can resolve issues such as problems with dual-boot configurations, hardware not initializing properly, or difficulties accessing BIOS/UEFI settings during boot.

How can I disable Fast Startup in Windows 10?
To disable Fast Startup, go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable, then uncheck “Turn on fast startup” and save changes.

Does disabling Fast Startup affect my computer’s shutdown time?
Yes, disabling Fast Startup will cause the computer to perform a full shutdown, which typically takes longer than a shutdown with Fast Startup enabled.

Will disabling Fast Startup affect my files or data?
No, disabling Fast Startup does not affect personal files or data; it only changes how Windows handles the shutdown and startup process.

Can Fast Startup cause issues with Windows updates?
Fast Startup can sometimes interfere with the installation of certain Windows updates, as it prevents a full shutdown and restart cycle required by some updates. Disabling it can help ensure updates install correctly.
Disabling Fast Startup in Windows 10 can be an essential troubleshooting step or a preference for users who want a complete shutdown process. The feature, designed to speed up boot times by saving the system state to a hibernation file, may sometimes cause issues with hardware compatibility, dual-boot configurations, or system updates. Understanding how to access the power options and modify the shutdown settings is crucial for effectively disabling Fast Startup.

To disable Fast Startup, users typically need to navigate to the Control Panel’s Power Options, access the system settings for shutdown behavior, and uncheck the Fast Startup option. This process requires administrative privileges and may involve temporarily disabling hibernation if the option is not visible. After disabling, a full shutdown and restart ensure that the changes take effect properly.

In summary, disabling Fast Startup provides greater control over the shutdown and startup processes, potentially resolving certain system conflicts. However, users should weigh the trade-off between slightly longer boot times and improved system stability. By following the correct steps, users can customize their Windows 10 experience to better suit their needs and hardware configurations.

Author Profile

Avatar
Harold Trujillo
Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.