"Disable Fast Startup in Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide"

Disable Fast Startup in Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

When you shut down your Windows 10 computer, the operating system typically uses a process called "Fast Startup" to speed up the shutdown process. However, this feature can sometimes cause problems with your system, especially when it comes to upgrading to a new version of Windows or troubleshooting issues. In this article, we'll show you how to disable Fast Startup in Windows 10 and why you might want to do so.

What is Fast Startup in Windows 10?

Fast Startup is a feature introduced by Microsoft in Windows 8, which is designed to improve the shutdown and startup times of your computer. When you shut down your computer, Windows 10 saves the current state of the system to a file called the "hibernation file" (hiberfil.sys), rather than fully shutting down the system. This allows Windows 10 to start up more quickly the next time you turn on your computer, as the system can resume from the saved state instead of starting from scratch.

Why Disable Fast Startup in Windows 10?

While Fast Startup can improve the startup time of your computer, it can also cause problems in certain situations. Here are a few reasons why you might want to disable it:

• Upgrade issues: Disabling Fast Startup can help resolve issues when upgrading to a new version of Windows or installing updates.
• Software installation issues: Some software installations may fail or experience issues if Fast Startup is enabled.
• System instability: Disabling Fast Startup can help resolve system instability issues, such as crashes or freezes.
• Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issues: Some users have reported experiencing BSOD issues related to Fast Startup.

How to Disable Fast Startup in Windows 10

To disable Fast Startup in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "powercfg.cpl" and press Enter.
3. In the Power Options window, click on "Choose what the power buttons do" on the left side.
4. Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable" at the top.
5. Scroll down to the "Shutdown settings" section and uncheck the box next to "Turn on fast startup (recommended)."
6. Click "Save changes" to save your changes.

Disable Fast Startup using the Registry Editor

If you're unable to disable Fast Startup using the Power Options window, you can also try using the Registry Editor:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "regedit" and press Enter.
3. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power.
4. Double-click on the "HiberbootEnabled" value and set it to 0.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Conclusion

Disabling Fast Startup in Windows 10 can help resolve various issues, including upgrade problems, software installation issues, and system instability. If you're experiencing problems with your Windows 10 computer, disabling Fast Startup is definitely worth trying. Remember to restart your computer after making any changes to the Power Options window or the Registry Editor.