If you’ve ever felt like your PC takes forever to start up, you’re not alone. Windows 11 is a powerful operating system, but by default, it doesn’t always use all the tricks available to speed up boot time. The good news? Microsoft included a feature called Fast Startup, designed to make your computer start much quicker.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what Fast Startup is, why you might want to enable it, and how to turn it on step by step. Stick with me, and by the end of this article, your PC could feel like it just had an energy drink.
What Is Fast Startup in Windows 11?
Fast Startup is a hybrid feature that combines the best of a cold shutdown and hibernation. Instead of completely shutting down, Windows saves the system state (kernel session) to a file and uses it to boot faster next time.
Think of it like putting your PC to sleep instead of fully turning it off—it wakes up much quicker, ready to go.
Why You Should Enable Fast Startup
Still wondering if this is worth the effort? Here’s why enabling Fast Startup is a great idea:
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Quicker Boot Times: Your PC will power on noticeably faster.
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Improved Productivity: Spend less time staring at a loading screen and more time working.
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Better for Laptops: Saves battery by avoiding a full boot cycle.
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Convenient for Daily Use: Perfect if you shut down and power on multiple times a day.
When You Might Not Want to Enable Fast Startup
While it’s great for most users, Fast Startup isn’t perfect for every situation. You might want to leave it off if:
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You dual-boot with Linux — Fast Startup can lock files and cause issues with other OS.
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You frequently update drivers or hardware — sometimes updates require a full shutdown to apply correctly.
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You prefer a clean boot every time — some power users just like a completely fresh start.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Fast Startup in Windows 11
Now, let’s get to the good part: turning this feature on.
Step 1: Open the Control Panel
Yes, Control Panel still exists in Windows 11.
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Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
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Type control and hit Enter.
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This will open the classic Control Panel window.
Step 2: Go to Power Options
Once inside Control Panel:
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Click Hardware and Sound.
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Select Power Options from the menu.
Step 3: Access “Choose What the Power Buttons Do”
In the Power Options window, look at the left panel.
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Click on Choose what the power buttons do.
This takes you to the System Settings page where shutdown options are managed.
Step 4: Enable Shutdown Settings
You might notice the shutdown settings at the bottom are grayed out.
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Click Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top.
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This unlocks the options you need.
Step 5: Turn On Fast Startup
Under Shutdown settings, check the box that says:
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Turn on fast startup (recommended)
Once you tick this box:
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Click Save changes at the bottom.
Congratulations — Fast Startup is now enabled!
How to Verify Fast Startup Is Working
Want to double-check that it’s working?
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Shut down your PC completely (don’t restart).
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Power it back on and notice the speed.
If it feels much quicker, you’re good to go.
How to Disable Fast Startup (Optional)
If you notice weird issues after enabling it (like Windows updates not applying properly), you can easily turn it off.
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Go back to the Choose what the power buttons do menu.
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Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
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Click Save changes.
Your PC will now perform a full shutdown every time.
Troubleshooting: When Fast Startup Isn’t Working
Sometimes the option doesn’t appear at all. Here’s why:
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Hibernation is Disabled: Fast Startup relies on hibernation.
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Older Hardware: Some devices may not support the feature.
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Group Policy or Registry Restrictions: If using a work computer, your admin may have disabled it.
How to Re-Enable Hibernation
If Fast Startup is missing, try this:
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Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
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Type this command and hit Enter:
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Restart your PC and check Control Panel again.
Benefits for Gaming PCs
Gamers love speed, and Fast Startup can be a small but noticeable improvement. Your gaming rig will boot quicker, letting you jump into action faster.
Fast Startup vs Sleep Mode
Don’t confuse the two:
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Sleep Mode: Keeps everything running in RAM — instant resume.
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Fast Startup: Shuts down most processes but saves system state to disk — slightly slower than sleep but faster than full boot.
Potential Downsides of Fast Startup
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Can Interfere with Dual Boot Systems
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Might Cause Driver Issues After Updates
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Hibernation File Uses Disk Space (around 2–6 GB depending on RAM)
Tips for Maximum Boot Performance
Enabling Fast Startup is just one piece of the puzzle. For even faster boot times:
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Disable unnecessary startup programs.
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Keep Windows updated.
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Use an SSD instead of an HDD.
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Regularly clean temporary files.
Conclusion
Fast Startup is a simple, built-in Windows 11 feature that can drastically cut down your PC’s boot time. If you’re tired of waiting for your system to start, enabling this setting is one of the easiest performance hacks you can do — and it only takes a minute.
FAQs
Q1: Does Fast Startup work with SSDs?
Yes! Even though SSDs are already fast, Fast Startup can shave off a few seconds during boot.
Q2: Will enabling Fast Startup drain my laptop battery?
No, it won’t. It works similarly to hibernation, which is battery-friendly.
Q3: Can Fast Startup cause problems with Windows Updates?
Sometimes. If updates fail, disable Fast Startup temporarily and try again.
Q4: Is Fast Startup safe for all PCs?
Yes, for most users it’s perfectly safe. Just avoid it if you dual-boot multiple operating systems.
Q5: Does Fast Startup affect Restart?
No. A restart always performs a full boot, regardless of Fast Startup settings.