How to Disable Fast Startup in Windows 10 & Windows 11

Fast Startup is a feature in Windows 10 and 11 that helps your computer boot up faster after shutting down by saving some system information to a file.

However, it’s not a full shutdown, which can cause issues with certain updates, hardware, and dual-boot setups.

To disable Fast Startup, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click on "Hardware and Sound."
3. Click on "Power Options."
4. Click on "Choose what power buttons do."
5. Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable."
6. Uncheck the "Fast startup" option.
7. Click "Save changes."

Reasons to Disable Fast Startup on Windows 10/11

Incomplete Shutdown: Fast Startup doesn't perform a full shutdown, which can lead to data corruption or system instability in some cases. If you encounter issues like unsaved files or blue screens after resuming from Fast Startup, disabling it might help.

Dual-Boot System Compatibility: Fast Startup can lock certain partitions, preventing other operating systems from accessing them. This can be a problem in dual-boot systems (e.g., Windows and Linux).

Compatibility Issues: Some devices or software might not work correctly with Fast Startup enabled.

Data Loss Concerns: Although rare, there have been reports of data loss linked to Fast Startup. If you're worried about the risk of data corruption, disabling it can provide peace of mind.

Troubleshooting: A full shutdown and restart can help troubleshoot hardware or driver-related issues, which might not be resolved with Fast Startup enabled.