In Windows 8, Microsoft has introduced a way to start your computer. This feature is called as Fast Startup. Currently, in Windows 7, users could either shut down their computers, put it to Sleep or Hibernate. According to usage data it had, it found that a very small percentage of users actually prefered to use the Hibernate option.

Fast Startup in Windows 8

This new Fast Startup mode is a hybrid of the traditional cold boot and resuming from hibernate option. In Windows 7, during shutdown, the OS closes the user session and the kernel session. But in Windows 8, the kernel session is not closed, but it is hibernated. Unlike the full hibernate data, whose file size is very large, this “kernel only” or 0 Hibernation data file is much smaller. As a result, it takes much less time to write it to disk. Using this file during boot, gives a substantial time-advantage while starting Windows 8.

The Fast Startup option is enabled by default in Windows 8. You can access its settings here. Press Win+W key, start typing Power and hit Enter to open Power Options. You can learn more such Windows 8 search tips here. Alternatively you could click on the Power icon in your notification area and select More Power Options.

Clicking on Power Options will open the following window.

In the left pane, you will see the option: Choose what the power buttons do. Click on it.

Here, you will see that the default recommended setting box Turn on fast startup (recommended) is checked. This is one of the reasons, why Windows 8 starts faster.

Do note the Fast startup settings comes into play only when you are shutting down the computer and not when you are restarting it.