The Windows 10 Anniversary Update released in August 2016 introduced many new features, but it also changed how you can suspend your PC. Prior to the update, there were a number of ways to stop or suspend your computer and have the ability to restart it at any time. Unfortunately, Microsoft has since restricted this functionality for reasons unknown and now only one method is left: disabling hibernation mode.,
Hibernate mode is a common method to suspend Windows. There are many other methods that can be used, but they vary in success rate and complexity. Read more in detail here: hibernate mode.
If we need to leave the PC workstation for a lunch break or just a few minutes, we should put it in sleep mode to conserve energy or, in the case of laptops, to extend battery life. Sleep mode enables us to swiftly continue where we left off without having to totally shut down the computer; all of our files and applications will be open as they were before the break.
In the following chapters, we’ll teach you how to properly suspend Windows so that you may pick and choose whatever approach best meets your requirements at any moment. One approach does not exclude the use of another: we may easily prepare the PC using a variety of suspension methods, choosing the quickest or the one we want at the time.
READ ALSO -> Automatic shutdown of the Windows PC with sleep timer
Table of Contents
If our computer has a key with the “Zz” image or the words Sleep on it, we may use it to instantly suspend it without having to do anything else. To correctly activate hibernation of the laptop, press FN + Sleep to prevent inadvertent key presses; however, on fixed PCs, the Sleep button is normally located next to the button Stamp o Scroll lockidentified with the inscription Break time o Interr.
Is it too inconvenient to use the sleep button, or is it accidentally pressed? In this instance, deactivating the Sleep key and remapping it to another key or a keyboard shortcut is preferable, as shown in our tutorial on how to modify (remap) or disable keys on a computer keyboard.
Suspend the computer using a keyboard shortcut
To immediately suspend the computer, you may utilize an ancient keyboard shortcut. We’re talking about the ALT + F4 keyboard shortcut, which when used on an empty desktop (with no active windows) opens the work completion page and allows you to choose Suspend from the drop-down menu.
Using the Start menu is another fairly easy way to properly suspend Windows. Press the power button to bring up the menu, then choose Suspend. Alternatively, we may enter the menu Close or log out and pick the item Suspend to properly suspend the operating system by pressing the right button on the Start menu.
Close the command prompt on your computer.
More advanced users may also use the command prompt to put the machine into hibernation. To continue, locate the command prompt in the Start menu, right-click it, and choose Open as administrator from the context menu.
First, disable hibernation in the new window that appears by typing:
off using powercfg
We use the following command to correctly suspend the PC after executing this program:
SetSuspendState Sleep, rundll32.exe, powrprof.dll
Although the procedure is uncomfortable, it may be quite beneficial for individuals who often work from home or need to properly suspend a corporate PC or a server.
Suspend the computer by using a desktop icon.
By deactivating the hibernation (as seen in the previous chapter) we can start the hibernation of the computer by creating a custom icon on the desktop. To proceed, right-click anywhere on the desktop, select the path New -> Link and enter the following command:
SetSuspendState 0,1,0 rundll32.exe powrprof.dll
We confirm, give the icon a name (such as Suspend your PC), and then hit OK. To change the icon, press and hold the right button on it, then choose Properties, then Change icon from the list provided by Windows.
From now on, just double-clicking on the icon will put the machine to sleep without the need to access any menus or utilize a specific keyboard shortcut. Read our tutorial to Shut Down Windows 10 and 11, Restart the PC, and Disconnect for more information.
Automatically suspend your computer
On Windows 10 and Windows 11 we can set the computer to automatically suspend every time it is left inactive for a certain period of time. To set the automatic suspension we open the Start menu, look for the Control Panel, let’s take the path Hardware and Sound -> Power Options and click on the item Change your computer’s sleep settings.
In the new window that appears, we can adjust the drop-down choices next to the item Machine hibernation to determine when the computer will go to sleep. The first drop-down option will show the amount of time necessary to suspend the PC on battery power, while the second will show the amount of time required to suspend the PC while connected to the mains.
We set a minimum of 20 minutes on a PC connected to the mains and 10 minutes for battery-powered PCs to get a decent energy saving.
Conclusions
Suspending Windows PCs may be accomplished in a variety of methods, from pushing a button to using shortcuts and custom icons on the desktop. In all circumstances, we remind you that if you wish to resume work where you left it, you may simply stop Windows’ hibernation by hitting a keyboard key or the power key.
On the same subject, we have tips on the distinctions between sleep and computer hibernation, as well as how to switch off a computer with hibernation and then rapidly turn it back on.
The “hibernate vs sleep” is a question that has been debated for years. There are many different methods to successfully suspend Windows, but the two most common are hibernate and sleep.
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