Ever wondered which option is best when you click “Power” on your Windows PC?
Here’s what each one really does:
- Sleep: Keeps your session in memory (RAM), uses a little power, and wakes instantly. Perfect for short breaks.
- Hibernate: Saves everything to your hard drive, then powers off. It takes a bit longer to resume but uses zero power — ideal for laptops.
- Shut Down: Closes everything completely and clears memory. Use it when you won’t be using the PC for a while or after installing updates.
💡 Tip: On laptops, you can tweak what happens when you close the lid — go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what closing the lid does.
Choosing the right one saves battery, reduces wear, and helps your PC start faster when you need it.