Windows 10 Sleep vs. Hibernate vs. Shut Down

We all are aware with Shut down and Restart as power options. But in Windows, there are other power options about which most of users are usually confused. These are Sleep and Hibernate options. In this article we’ll try to clear your confusion by comparing these power options.

Windows 10 Sleep vs Hibernate vs Shut Down

First, let us see what actually these power options stands for:

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Windows 10 Power Options

Sleep:

This power option is useful when you need a break but you don’t want to completely turn off your system. Using this option, the system goes saved state in which display is turned off and all programs are saved in memory. Note that system is still consuming power, however that amount is little as compared to complete system power usage amount. When you turn on your system back, you’re instantaneously resumed from exactly that point, where you left off. Laptops usually on closing the lid, goes to Sleep mode.

Hibernate:

With Hibernate power option, your system state is saved to hard disk and even if there occurs a power loss, the data will be still retained. In other words, Hibernate mode will save you from data loss after suspended state. Hibernate was basically designed for laptops and have limited availability. Some systems may not support hibernate mode.

When you combine Sleep with Hibernate power options, you get Hybrid sleep power option. It is usually used on Desktop machines. In this case, data is copied to non-volatile storage such as your hard disk and then system goes into Sleep mode. Now it can be turned on instantaneously and also, no data will be lost on power cut.

Shut down:

This option will simply power off your system. Whether you’re on standalone Desktop or portable device such as laptop or tablet, Shut down power option can be used to terminate all the programs and processes and switch off your device. In Windows 10 V1709 or later, programs may not be terminated and are saved in memory so that when you turn on the machine after shut down, they re-open automatically. Another power option i.e. Restart is same as Shut down which first turn off your system with same logic and then reboot it.

To configure these power options, refer steps mentioned in FIX 1 here.

Here is comparison between these power options:

Windows 10 Sleep vs. Hibernate vs. Shut Down

Sleep	Hibernate	Shut down
In Sleep mode, system has to only power up CPU and display, which is instantaneous and hence its fastest mode.	In Hibernate mode, system has to power up and read data back to the memory, hence its slower mode.	Shut down is usually instantaneous, but may take time depending on resource usage at the time of shut down.
Comparatively, it consumes a considerable amount of power.	Hibernate uses least amount of power among all power options.	Uses considerable amount of power.
All hardware and device drivers must be ACPI and plug-and-play–compliant to have Sleep mode working.	All hardware and device drivers must be ACPI and plug-and-play–compliant to have Hibernate mode working.	Shut down doesn’t requires use of ACPI and plug-and-play–compliant devices.
Machine state is saved to Random Access Memory (RAM).	Machine state is saved to non-volatile storage.	Machine state is not saved.
Available on most of devices.	Available on limited devices.	Available on all devices.
Power-cut results in data loss.	No data lost on power-cut.	Shut down essentially cuts power so data will be lost, if not saved.