In Windows 11, we have 3 Power options, them being Sleep, Shut Down and Restart. There are times when we are working with different files or applications on our computer and for some reason, we have to be away from the computer for some time. In such cases, we use the Sleep option as it lets us partially turn off our computers saving battery and energy while also allowing us to quickly get back to where we left off.

Sleep gets the job done but there is another similar Power Option is available which is called Hibernate. This option is not enabled by default and is hidden away behind menus. Hibernate serves the same purpose but it is not as same as the Sleep mode. This guide will not only teach you how easily you can add the Hibernate option to the Power Menu of your Windows 11 computer but will also go through the differences between the Hibernate and Sleep modes.

Difference Between Sleep and Hibernate Power Options

When it comes to the purpose of using Hibernate and Sleep, it is quite similar. Thus it might create confusion and one might ask why to enable Hibernate when the Sleep option is already available. This is why it is important to know the difference between the two Power Options so you can understand why you might want to have both of them available.

Both Hibernate and Sleep can be considered as a power-saving mode or a standby mode for your computer. Both options allow you to partially shut your computer down while keeping everything you were working on, as it is. Most of the functions will stop and your display will also turn off while your computer is in os Hibernation or Sleep. You can easily get back to what you were working on just by pressing one button and signing back to windows.

The difference mainly lies in how these two mode functions. The Hibernate option takes every running application or open file and saves it to the primary storage drive be it Hard Drive or a Solid State Drive. And while your computer is in Hibernation mode, it does not consume any power. Consider using the Hibernation mode if you have to stay away from your computer for more than 1 or 2 hours.

On the other hand, Sleep saves everything in the RAM instead of the primary storage drive but unlike the Hibernation mode, Sleep does use a very tiny amount of power. As Sleep saves everything in the RAM, waking your computer up from Sleep is much faster than waking up from Hibernation. You should use Sleep mode if you will be away from your computer for a very short amount of time like 15-30 minutes.

Enable Hibernate Power Option from Control Panel

In Windows 11, the Hibernate option can be added to the Power menu in a few simple steps.

First, open Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.

After the Control Panel window opens up, click on ‘Hardware and Sound’ option.

Select ‘Power Options’ from the available settings on the next screen.

Now, from the left-side menu, select ‘Choose what the power buttons do’.

After clicking on ‘Choose what the power buttons do’ you will see the ‘Hibernate’ option is listed under the ‘Shutdown settings’ section. But the option will be greyed out by default and you cannot select it right away.

Click on the ‘Change settings that are unavailable’ option at the top of the page and you will get access to the Shutdown settings section.

Now, all that is left to do is to tick the checkbox before ‘Hibernate’ option and click on the ‘Save changes’ button.

Finally, go back to the Power menu and you will see the ‘Hibernate’ option listed between Sleep and Shutdown options.