How to Activate Sleep Mode in Windows 7?

Activate Sleep Mode in Windows 7

Have you heard about the power saving feature in Windows 7? We are referring to the sleep mode present in the shutdown options of Windows. Sometimes you don't want to shut down your computer. Actually, you just want to step off your computer temporarily. Therefore, Windows offers you the sleep and hibernation feature to save power while you are away from your machine. You can switch to the hibernation or sleep mode directly from your start menu, under the power options. Still, few may ask how to activate sleep mode in Windows 7? This guide describes it all in detail.

Hibernation is a power-saving mode created mainly for laptops but is available for other PCs as well. However, upon leaving your computer unattended for too long, the screen along with the hardware will automatically turn off (e.g. USB, Wi-Fi). Thereafter, it goes to sleep mode to save power. When it stays in sleep mode for too long, all your data is saved into a system file and then powered down. This is referred to hibernation mode where your computer need not to be powered anymore. Unlike the sleep mode, it will take a long time to get out of the hibernation mode, but offers faster booting. This combination of sleep mode and hibernation mode is also called as hybrid sleep setting.

A hidden system file named as Hiberfil.sys is saved inside the root folder of the drive where the operating system is installed. The file is reserved by Windows Kernel Power Manager while you install Windows. The file size is approximately equal to the RAM installed on the computer. If this Hiberfil.sys file is not available, the computer cannot turn to hibernation mode. Whenever the hybrid sleep setting is on, you can view the Hiberfil.sys file on the root of your operating system drive. Let us quickly proceed with this article to understand the process to activate sleep mode in Windows 7.

Various Methods to Activate Sleep Mode in Windows 7

Method 1: Disable and Enable Hibernation via Command Prompt

With the help of command prompt, you can disable hibernation. Remember, you must have the admin access for this operation since you will have to run command prompt as an administrator.

Steps to Disable Hibernation

• Launch the Start menu and type cmd in the Search box.
• From the search results, right-click Command Prompt or CMD option. Then, you have to click on Run as Administrator option.
• When asked by User Account Control, click Continue.
• Now in the command prompt, type powercfg.exe /hibernate off, and then press Enter button.
• Finally type exit, and press Enter which closes the Command Prompt window.
• You can see that the Hiberfil.sys file is no more available in the system root.

Steps to Enable Hibernation

• Launch command prompt window again. Run the application as administrator.
• When asked by User Account Control, click on Continue.
• Now, enter powercfg.exe /hibernate on in the cmd, and then press Enter.
• Lastly type exit and press Enter in order to close the Command Prompt window.
• Here, you will see that the Hiberfil.sys file is available from the system root. 

Method 2: Enable and disable hibernate using Registry Edit

Another method to activate sleep mode in Windows 7 is Registry Edit option. 

• Firstly, press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run dialog and type regedit. Then, press enter button.
• After entering the registry edit window, go to the location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power
• Now, in the right pane of the Power key, double click on HibernateEnabled option. 
• If you want to enable hibernation type in 1 (one) in the value data box, and click OK.
• If you want to disable hibernation type 0 (zero) in the value data box and click OK.
• Lastly, restart your PC for changes to take place.

Method 3: Switch Hibernate On or Off in Advanced Power Options

The last method discussed to activate sleep mode in Windows 7 is using the Advanced Power options.

• Launch the Run dialog using Windows + R keys together.
• Enter powercfg.cpl, and click on OK.
• Next, click on the change plan settings.
• From the next window, click on change advanced power settings.
• You can use any of the above two methods to enable hibernation. Else these options will be grayed out. 
• Click on the Sleep option in the advanced power options settings.
• Using the Hibernate after option, you can set minutes you want your computer to sit idle before going to hibernation.
• Finally, click on Apply, then OK
• Likewise you can turn off Hibernate if further required.

Hope this guide is useful to activate sleep mode in Windows 7 system.