How to enable Hibernate in Windows XP

April 8th, 2009
Hibernate option is not available by default in Windows XP. Follow this instructions to make Hibernate option available in your Turn Off Computer dialog.

Please note that in order to use Hibernate,  the S4 System State (Hibernation) must be supported by your computer's ACPI implementation, othewise you cannot do anything about it.

Go to Start → Settings → Control Panel. Make sure to open the Classic View, and open Power Options:

control-panel.jpg



When the Power Options Properties dialog appears, check if there is a tab labeled Hibernate. It should be the last one:

power-options.jpg



If you are not able to see the Hibernate tab, then Hibernation is probably not supported in your computer...

On the other hand, if you have a Hibernate tab, that's good news. Open the Hibernate tab and make sure to check the Enable Hibernation checkbox:

hibernate-tab.jpg



Click the Apply or OK button to make the changes take effect.

Now, the next time you want hibernate, in the Turn Off Computer dialog, press and hold down the Shift Key. The Stand By option will change to Hibernate whilst you hold the Shift Key pressed:

standby-hibernate.gif



With the Shift Key down click on Hibernate.

16 Responses to “How to enable Hibernate in Windows XP”

  1. Dennis Werth Says:
    I cannot enable hibernation on wxp. every time I try it gives me this response: " The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process."

    I don't know what that 'another process' might be...
  2. Jay Payne Says:
    I have the same problem and the same question. I understand how to enable the hibernate but I get the same error "unable because some process is using it". What process is it? Thanks
  3. robin Says:
    it worked perfectly
  4. manas Says:
    I have the same problem and the same question. I understand how to enable the hibernate but I get the same error "unable because some process is using it". What process is it? Thanks
  5. roger Says:
    Sweet worked a champ
  6. yogesh Says:
    best answer i like it osummmmmmm
  7. mother or manas Says:
    ya my daughter is right
    she is always right
  8. damn99 Says:
    I have the same problem and the same question. I understand how to enable the hibernate but I get the same error "unable because some process is using it". What process is it?
  9. shafor d. jaks Says:
    hey all of umay be u hav lots of programs even useless ones, check ur progs and limit them to those u use frequently,
  10. Sharif Says:
    I don't know if this will help your problem. However, hibernate cannot be done if the Hard drive does not have enough space. If x= the amount of ram on your computer then you need x amount of free space on your hard drive.

    Another problem could be that you don't have proper drivers installed for all of your hardware. Check Device Manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation marks. You'll need to resolve those driver problems first.
  11. Sharath Says:
    Thank you very much. It helped me set this option up..
  12. waleed Says:
    Man thank you soooooooo much....... :)
  13. Chris Says:
    i have a diffrent problem it wont show hibernate tab but it did a few days ago how do you explain it suddently disapearing like that?? and yes i uninstalled ati catalyst control center and then it happened please help!!! and if it isnt supported how do i make it support it???
  14. Lee Says:
    Thank you. It worked easily. Cheers
  15. Renukumar Says:
    Thanks a lot , it worked.
  16. naveen Says:
    thanks.....thanku very much

Leave a Reply