How to Disable Fast Startup in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016

As IT professionals, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs), understanding and controlling system features is a part of the job. Windows Fast Startup (also known as Hiberboot or Fastboot), available in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, is generally beneficial but may sometimes need to be turned off. In this post, we delve into what Fast Startup is, its implications, how to disable Fast Startup manually or via PowerShell, and the differences between Fast Startup and Hibernation.

Understanding Fast Startup

Fast Startup, or Hiberboot, works by saving an image of the loaded Windows kernel and drivers into the hiberfile (hiberfil.sys) before a computer shuts down. Upon restarting, Windows uses this image to speed up the boot time, creating a better user experience.

Potential Complications with Fast Startup

However, Fast Startup can present challenges in certain situations:

• Dual Boot Systems: Fast Startup can cause disk errors or data loss if another operating system accesses the Windows partition.
• System Maintenance: IT professionals might encounter difficulties when performing system updates or maintenance tasks.
• Hardware Changes: Fast Startup might not recognize new hardware changes made during shutdown.

How to Manually Disable Fast Startup

To disable Fast Startup manually, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Control Panel and select ‘Power Options.’
2. Choose ‘Choose what the power buttons do.’
3. Click on ‘Change settings that are currently unavailable.’
4. Under ‘Shutdown settings,’ uncheck the ‘Turn on fast startup’ box.

Fast Startup vs. Hibernation

Fast Startup and hibernation are similar but serve different purposes. Hibernation saves an image of your work and shuts down your computer, while Fast Startup only saves an image of the system kernel and loaded drivers to reduce boot time.

The Impact of Disabling Fast Startup

Disabling Fast Startup may result in slightly longer boot times. However, the impact is usually negligible on modern systems with fast solid-state drives (SSDs).

Troubleshooting After Disabling Fast Startup

Should you encounter problems after disabling Fast Startup, you can:

• Check for Windows Updates: Ensure that your system is up to date.
• Check for Driver Updates: An outdated driver might be causing issues.
• Re-enable Fast Startup: If problems persist, you might want to re-enable Fast Startup and seek professional assistance.

How to Disable Fast Startup Using PowerShell

For professionals preferring automation, here’s a PowerShell script that checks for administrative privileges and modifies the registry to disable Fast Startup:

<#
.SYNOPSIS
    Disable Windows Fast Boot, also known as Hiberboot or Fast Startup.
.DESCRIPTION
    Disable Windows Fast Boot, also known as Hiberboot or Fast Startup.
.EXAMPLE
    No parameter needed.
    Disables Windows Fast Boot
.OUTPUTS
    None
.NOTES
    Minimum OS Architecture Supported: Windows 10, Windows Server 2016
    Release Notes:
    Initial Release
    (c) 2023 NinjaOne
    By using this script, you indicate your acceptance of the following legal terms as well as our Terms of Use at https://www.ninjaone.com/terms-of-use.
    Ownership Rights: NinjaOne owns and will continue to own all right, title, and interest in and to the script (including the copyright). NinjaOne is giving you a limited license to use the script in accordance with these legal terms. 
    Use Limitation: You may only use the script for your legitimate personal or internal business purposes, and you may not share the script with another party. 
    Republication Prohibition: Under no circumstances are you permitted to re-publish the script in any script library or website belonging to or under the control of any other software provider. 
    Warranty Disclaimer: The script is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranty of any kind. NinjaOne makes no promise or guarantee that the script will be free from defects or that it will meet your specific needs or expectations. 
    Assumption of Risk: Your use of the script is at your own risk. You acknowledge that there are certain inherent risks in using the script, and you understand and assume each of those risks. 
    Waiver and Release: You will not hold NinjaOne responsible for any adverse or unintended consequences resulting from your use of the script, and you waive any legal or equitable rights or remedies you may have against NinjaOne relating to your use of the script. 
    EULA: If you are a NinjaOne customer, your use of the script is subject to the End User License Agreement applicable to you (EULA).
#>
[CmdletBinding()]
param ()

begin {
    function Test-IsElevated {
        $id = [System.Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()
        $p = New-Object System.Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal($id)
        $p.IsInRole([System.Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole]::Administrator)
    }
}
process {
    if (-not (Test-IsElevated)) {
        Write-Error -Message "Access Denied. Please run with Administrator privileges."
        exit 1
    }

    $Path = "HKLM:SYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerPower"
    $Name = "HiberbootEnabled"
    $Value = "0"

    try {
        if (-not $(Test-Path $Path)) {
            New-Item -Path $Path -Force | Out-Null
            New-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name $Name -Value $Value -PropertyType DWord -Force | Out-Null
        }
        else {
            New-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name $Name -Value $Value -PropertyType DWord -Force | Out-Null
        }
    }
    catch {
        Write-Error $_
        Write-Host "Failed to disable Fast Boot."
        exit 1
    }
    exit 0
}
end {}

 

In conclusion, Fast Startup, while a beneficial feature, might not be ideal in specific IT scenarios. Understanding this feature and knowing when and how to disable it manually or via PowerShell can prove essential in maintaining a stable and robust IT infrastructure. By comprehensively understanding and managing Fast Startup, IT professionals, and MSPs can mitigate potential risks while ensuring efficient system performance.

NinjaOne can streamline your operations by automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Its user-friendly interface allows technicians of all levels to easily apply automation across endpoints, including custom scripts from an extensive library, making remediation simple and intuitive. As Crossroads Church’s Chris Hesler noted, “NinjaOne has helped us…cut back on the man hours…we are able to bring more automation with the script library to solve our recurring issues.” Discover the transformative power of automation in your IT operations with NinjaOne, a tool designed with flexibility and intuitiveness at its core.