How the Fast Startup Windows 10 Works
Fast Startup combines the functions of both cold shutdown and the hibernate feature. Windows will close all activity applications and log off all users, just as cold shutdown do when you turn off your computer with Fast Startup enabled.
At this point, Windows is in a state which is very similar to its freshly booted up state: there are no users logging in and no programs are started, but the Windows kernel is loaded and the system session is working. Then Windows alerts the device drivers program that supports it preparing for hibernation, saving the current system state to the hibernation file, and shutting down the computer.
When you restart the computer, Windows just refreshes your RAM with the loaded image from the hibernation file and leads you to the login screen instead loading the kernel, drivers, and system state again. This technique can shave off your start up time.
This is a little different from the regular hibernate feature. Hibernation can also save opened folders and applications, as well as currently logged in users when you put your computer into this mode. Hibernation is helpful if you want to return your computer to the exact state it was in when you turned it off. Fast Startup offers a freshly-started Windows, just more quickly.
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Why You Might Want to Disable Fast Startup Windows 10
Have you already can’t wait to enable Fast Startup Windows 10? Hold your horses! Please read these considerations to decide whether to start it or not before starting.
- Your computer won’t shut down regularly when you enable Fast Startup. Since applying new system updates often requires a shutdown, you may be unable to apply updates and shut your computer down. Restart is unaffected, though, so it still performs a full cold shutdown and then restarts your system.
- Fast Startup can slightly interfere with the encrypted disk images. Users of encryption programs like TrueCrypt realize that encrypted drives they have are automatically remounted when starting back up before shutting down their system.
- Systems that don’t support hibernation won’t support Fast Startup either.
- Windows will lock the hard disk when you shut down a computer with Fast Startup enabled. You won’t be able to access it from other operating systems if you configure your computer with more than one OS. Even worse, if you boot into another OS and then access or change anything on the hard disk (or partition) that the hibernating Windows installation uses, it may be corrupted. You had better not use Fast Startup or Hibernation at all if you’re multiple booting.
- The computer doesn’t enter fully powered down mode when it hibernates. Some versions of BIOS/UEFI work with a system in hibernation and some do not. So you may not be able to access BIOS/UEFI settings when you shut down a computer with Fast Startup enabled.
How to Enable or Disable Fast Startup Windows 10
Step 1. Right-click Start menu to open Power User Menu Options and select Power Options. Then click Choose what the power buttons do in it.
Step 2Change settings that are currently unavailable to make the Fast Startup option available for configuration.
Step 3. At bottom of the window and you will see Turn on fast startup (recommended). Just check on the box to enable Fast Startup Windows 10 or uncheck to disable it.
If you don’t see the option, it means hibernation is not enabled on your computer. In this case, you need to open Command Prompt and type: powercfg / hibernate on. Then press Enter button. Repeat Step 1 to Step 3 to continue.
