How to Enable Fast Startup in Windows 11 Easily

Option 1Turning Fast Startup On or Off Through Power Options (The Easiest Way)

This is the most common method. You don’t need to deal with complicated settings. You need to be logged in as an administrator to make this change.

Step 1Open Control Panel 🎛️

The next step is to access the settings ⚙️ that control power. Searching for the setting is a good approach.

• Click the Start button ⊞ on your taskbar 🖥️.
• Type Control Panel 🎛️ and click on the Control Panel 🎛️ app when it appears in the search 🔍 results.

Step 2Go to Power Options

Once you have the Control Panel 🎛️ open, the next step is to find the Power Options. If your Control Panel is showing categories, click on ‘Hardware and Sound’ and then ‘Power Options.’ If you see large or small icons instead, you can just click directly on ‘Power Options.’

• If your Control Panel 🎛️ is set to “Category” view, click on Hardware and Sound, then click on Power Options.
• If your Control Panel 🎛️ is set to “Large icons” or “Small icons” view, just click on Power Options directly.

Step 3Choose What the Power Buttons Do

In the Power Options window, look for a link on the left side.

• Click on Choose what the power buttons do.

Step 4Unlock Shutdown Settings

• Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable. You might see a User Account Control (UAC) window asking for permission; click Yes.

Step 5Enable or Disable Fast Startup

The Fast Startup feature in Windows 11 allows you to turn this setting on or off. Find the box labeled 'Turn on fast startup (recommended).' To turn Fast Startup on, check the box. To turn Fast Startup off, uncheck the box.

• To turn Fast Startup ON: Make sure the box next to "Turn on fast startup" is checked.
• To turn Fast Startup OFF: Uncheck the box next to "Turn on fast startup."

Step 6Save Your Changes

Don't forget this important step!

• Click the Save changes button at the bottom.

Option 2Checking Fast Startup Status with PowerShell

If you're more comfortable using commands, you can quickly check if Fast Startup is on or off using Windows PowerShell. This method is only for checking, not for changing the setting.

Step 1Open Windows Terminal as Administrator

We need a command prompt that has the right permissions.

• Click the Start button.
• Type Windows Terminal.
• Right-click on Windows Terminal in the search results and select Run as administrator.
• If a User Account Control (UAC) window appears, click Yes.

Step 2Paste the Command

Now, copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window:

(Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PowerSystem -Namespace root\cimv2\power).HiberbootEnabled

Step 3Understand the Result

After you run the command, you'll see the status of Fast Startup. If the output says 'True,' it means Fast Startup is currently turned on. If it says 'False,' Fast Startup is turned off. Keep in mind that if hibernation is disabled on your system, Fast Startup will also be off.

• If you see True, Fast Startup is currently turned ON.
• If you see False, Fast Startup is currently turned OFF.

Option 3Using Registry Editor to Control Fast Startup

For those who like to work directly with the system's core settings, you can use the Registry Editor. This method requires caution, as making wrong changes to the registry can cause your system to become unstable.

Step 1Open Registry Editor

Let's access the registry.

• Click the Start button.
• Type regedit and click on Registry Editor when it appears.
• If a User Account Control (UAC) window appears, click Yes.

Step 2Go to the Correct Key

We need to go to a specific location in the registry.

Registry Editor's address bar accepts a specific path to change Windows 11 startup. To adjust Fast Startup, copy and paste `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System` into the address bar and press Enter. This action opens the correct location for modifying the setting.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power

Step 3Find or Create the "HiberbootEnabled" Value

In the right side of the Registry Editor window, look for a setting called 'HiberbootEnabled.' If you find it, double-click it to change its value. If it's not there, right-click in the empty space, choose 'New,' then 'DWORD (32-bit) Value,' and name it 'HiberbootEnabled' before double-clicking it.

• If "HiberbootEnabled" is there: Double-click on it to change its value.
• If "HiberbootEnabled" is not there: Right-click in the empty space in the right-hand section, select New, and then select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value exactly HiberbootEnabled. Then, double-click on this new value.

Step 4Set the Value Data

A small window will open to edit the value.

• To turn Fast Startup ON: In the "Value data" field, type 1.
• To turn Fast Startup OFF: In the "Value data" field, type 0.

Make sure the "Base" is set to Hexadecimal (it usually is by default).

Step 5Confirm and Close

After making your changes in the Registry Editor, click 'OK' to save them and then close the editor. It's very important to back up your registry before making any changes. You can do this by going to 'File' > 'Export' and saving a copy, so you can restore it if needed.

You can now close the Registry Editor.

Important Warning: Always make a backup of your registry before making changes. You can do this by going to File › Export in the Registry Editor and saving a copy of your registry. If something goes wrong, you can import this backup to restore your registry.

Summary

Fast Startup in Windows 11 speeds up your computer's boot time. You can easily manage Fast Startup by turning it on or off using Control Panel or Registry Editor. If you suspect Fast Startup is causing issues, turning Fast Startup off is a good troubleshooting step.