Fast Boot, also known as Fast Startup, is a feature in Windows operating systems that allows your computer to boot up faster by saving the system state to a file on your hard drive when you shut down. This feature was introduced in Windows 8 and has been a part of the Windows operating system ever since. However, there are some pros and cons to using Fast Boot, and in this article, we will explore whether or not you should disable it.
How Fast Boot Works
When you shut down your computer with Fast Boot enabled, Windows saves the system state to a file called hiberfil.sys on your hard drive. This file contains the current state of your system, including the operating system, drivers, and applications. When you start your computer again, Windows uses this file to quickly restore the system state, allowing your computer to boot up faster.
Benefits of Fast Boot
There are several benefits to using Fast Boot:
- Faster Boot Times: The most obvious benefit of Fast Boot is that it allows your computer to boot up faster. By saving the system state to a file, Windows can quickly restore the system state when you start your computer again, reducing the time it takes to boot up.
- Improved Performance: Fast Boot can also improve the performance of your computer. By saving the system state to a file, Windows can quickly restore the system state when you start your computer again, reducing the time it takes to launch applications and perform tasks.
Drawbacks of Fast Boot
While Fast Boot can be beneficial, there are also some drawbacks to using it:
- Incompatibility with Some Hardware: Fast Boot can be incompatible with some hardware, such as USB drives and network devices. If you have hardware that is not compatible with Fast Boot, you may need to disable it.
- Difficulty with Dual-Booting: Fast Boot can also make it difficult to dual-boot your computer. If you have multiple operating systems installed on your computer, you may need to disable Fast Boot in order to boot into the other operating system.
- Potential for Data Loss: There is also a potential for data loss when using Fast Boot. If your computer crashes or is shut down unexpectedly, you may lose data that was not saved to the hiberfil.sys file.
Should I Disable Fast Boot?
Whether or not you should disable Fast Boot depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you value faster boot times and improved performance, you may want to keep Fast Boot enabled. However, if you have hardware that is not compatible with Fast Boot or if you need to dual-boot your computer, you may want to disable it.
Who Should Disable Fast Boot
There are several groups of people who may want to disable Fast Boot:
- Gamers: Gamers who use high-performance hardware may want to disable Fast Boot in order to ensure that their hardware is functioning properly.
- Developers: Developers who need to test software on multiple operating systems may want to disable Fast Boot in order to dual-boot their computer.
- Users with Incompatible Hardware: Users who have hardware that is not compatible with Fast Boot may want to disable it in order to use their hardware properly.
How to Disable Fast Boot
If you decide that you want to disable Fast Boot, you can do so by following these steps:
- Open the Power Options in the Control Panel.
- Click on “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left side of the window.
- Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
- Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended).”
- Click “Save changes.”
Alternatives to Fast Boot
If you disable Fast Boot, you may be looking for alternative ways to improve your computer’s performance. Here are a few options:
- Hibernate: Hibernate is a feature in Windows that allows you to save the system state to a file on your hard drive, similar to Fast Boot. However, Hibernate saves the entire system state, including open applications and files, whereas Fast Boot only saves the operating system and drivers.
- Sleep: Sleep is a feature in Windows that allows you to put your computer into a low-power state, similar to Hibernate. However, Sleep does not save the system state to a file, so you will need to restart your computer from scratch when you wake it up.
Comparison of Fast Boot, Hibernate, and Sleep
| Feature | Fast Boot | Hibernate | Sleep |
| — | — | — | — |
| Saves system state to file | Yes | Yes | No |
| Saves open applications and files | No | Yes | No |
| Allows for faster boot times | Yes | No | No |
| Allows for low-power state | No | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
Fast Boot can be a useful feature for improving your computer’s performance, but it may not be suitable for everyone. If you have hardware that is not compatible with Fast Boot or if you need to dual-boot your computer, you may want to disable it. Alternatively, you can use Hibernate or Sleep to improve your computer’s performance. Ultimately, the decision to disable Fast Boot depends on your specific needs and preferences.
By understanding the pros and cons of Fast Boot and exploring alternative options, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to disable it.
What is Fast Boot and how does it work?
Fast Boot is a feature in Windows operating systems that allows your computer to boot up faster by pre-loading certain system files and drivers into memory before the operating system is fully loaded. This feature works by creating a cache of system files and drivers that are loaded into memory during the shutdown process, so that when you start your computer again, these files are already loaded and ready to go.
When you enable Fast Boot, your computer will take a snapshot of the system files and drivers that are currently loaded into memory and store them on the hard drive. This snapshot is then loaded into memory when you start your computer, allowing the operating system to boot up faster. However, this feature can also cause problems if you need to access the BIOS settings or boot from a USB drive, as the computer will boot up too quickly for you to access these options.
What are the benefits of disabling Fast Boot?
Disabling Fast Boot can be beneficial if you need to access the BIOS settings or boot from a USB drive. When Fast Boot is enabled, the computer will boot up too quickly for you to access these options, which can be frustrating if you need to make changes to the BIOS settings or boot from a USB drive. Additionally, disabling Fast Boot can also help to resolve issues with hardware devices that are not being recognized by the operating system.
Disabling Fast Boot can also help to improve the overall stability of your computer. Some users have reported that Fast Boot can cause problems with certain hardware devices, such as graphics cards and sound cards. By disabling Fast Boot, you can help to ensure that these devices are properly recognized and configured by the operating system, which can help to improve the overall stability of your computer.
What are the drawbacks of disabling Fast Boot?
One of the main drawbacks of disabling Fast Boot is that it can slow down the boot time of your computer. When Fast Boot is enabled, the computer can boot up in as little as 10-15 seconds, but when it is disabled, the boot time can be significantly longer. This can be frustrating if you are used to the fast boot times offered by Fast Boot.
Another drawback of disabling Fast Boot is that it can cause problems with certain software applications. Some software applications, such as antivirus programs and backup software, rely on Fast Boot to function properly. If you disable Fast Boot, these applications may not work as expected, which can cause problems with your computer’s security and data protection.
Will disabling Fast Boot affect my computer’s performance?
Disabling Fast Boot should not have a significant impact on your computer’s performance. The main difference you will notice is a slightly longer boot time, but once the operating system is loaded, your computer should perform just as well as it did before. However, if you have a lot of resource-intensive programs running in the background, disabling Fast Boot may cause a slight delay in loading these programs.
In terms of overall system performance, disabling Fast Boot should not have a noticeable impact. The operating system will still load all of the necessary system files and drivers, it will just take a bit longer to do so. Additionally, disabling Fast Boot will not affect the performance of games or other resource-intensive programs, as these programs rely on the operating system and hardware to function, not on the boot time.
Can I disable Fast Boot in the BIOS settings?
Yes, you can disable Fast Boot in the BIOS settings. To do this, you will need to restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings. The exact steps to enter the BIOS settings will vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer, but it is usually done by pressing a key such as F2, F12, or Del during the boot process.
Once you are in the BIOS settings, look for the Fast Boot option and disable it. Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings. Your computer will then boot up without using Fast Boot. Note that disabling Fast Boot in the BIOS settings will disable it for all operating systems installed on your computer, not just Windows.
How do I disable Fast Boot in Windows?
To disable Fast Boot in Windows, you will need to go to the Power Options in the Control Panel. To do this, click on the Start button and select Control Panel. Then, click on Hardware and Sound, and then click on Power Options. Click on the “Choose what the power buttons do” option on the left side of the window.
In the Power Options window, click on the “Change settings that are currently unavailable” option. Then, uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)”. Click Save changes to save the changes. Your computer will then boot up without using Fast Boot.
Can I re-enable Fast Boot if I disable it?
Yes, you can re-enable Fast Boot if you disable it. To do this, simply follow the same steps you used to disable Fast Boot, but this time, check the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” or enable the Fast Boot option in the BIOS settings. Save the changes and your computer will start using Fast Boot again.
Note that re-enabling Fast Boot will not affect any changes you made to the BIOS settings or the operating system while Fast Boot was disabled. Your computer will simply start booting up faster again, and you will no longer be able to access the BIOS settings or boot from a USB drive during the boot process.