Windows
Linux
System & Storage
System
Windows hibernate equivalent in Linux
Saves the current RAM state to disk and powers off. On next boot, the session resumes exactly where you left off.
Windows
→
hibernate
Linux equivalents
systemctl hibernate
systemctl hibernate
systemctl hibernate
Overview
What this command does
Saves the current RAM state to disk and powers off. On next boot, the session resumes exactly where you left off.
Migration tip: Hibernation requires a swap partition or swap file at least as large as your RAM.
systemctl suspend (sleep) is faster and more commonly used on laptops.Practical tasks
Common use cases
Hibernate — save state to disk and power off
Saves the current RAM state to disk and powers off. On next boot, the session resumes exactly where you left off.
systemctl hibernate
Hibernate (save to disk, power off)
systemctl suspend
Suspend to RAM (sleep — faster)
systemctl hybrid-sleep
Suspend + hibernate combined (safer)
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
sudo systemctl hibernate
sudo systemctl suspend
sudo systemctl hybrid-sleep
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows: shutdown /h
sudo systemctl hibernate
# Sleep (suspend to RAM, faster):
sudo systemctl suspend
# Hybrid sleep (save to disk AND suspend):
sudo systemctl hybrid-sleepReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
systemctl hibernate | Hibernate (save to disk, power off) |
systemctl suspend | Suspend to RAM (sleep — faster) |
systemctl hybrid-sleep | Suspend + hibernate combined (safer) |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | systemctl hibernate |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | systemctl hibernate |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | systemctl hibernate |
Same command on this distribution. |
Important
What to watch out for
Hibernation requires swap space at least equal to your RAM size and may not work on all hardware configurations.
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