Resolving Disk Space Issues Due to hiberfil.sys in AWS WorkSpaces

Overview

AWS WorkSpaces, a managed virtual desktop service, may encounter disk space issues due to the hiberfil.sys file occupying a significant amount of storage. This file is used for hibernation in Windows but is unnecessary for AWS WorkSpaces, as these instances do not support hibernation. Disabling and removing hiberfil.sys can help reclaim disk space.

Cause of the Issue

The hiberfil.sys file is a system-generated hidden file that stores the system state when Windows enters hibernation mode. Since AWS WorkSpaces does not utilize hibernation, this file becomes redundant and may consume several gigabytes of disk space.

Solution

Step 1: Check the Size of hiberfil.sys

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run the following command:
```
dir /a C:\hiberfil.sys
```
Note the size of hiberfil.sys. If it is consuming substantial disk space, proceed with the removal steps.

Step 2: Disable Hibernation

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Execute the following command to disable hibernation:
```
powercfg -h off
```
This command will disable hibernation and automatically delete hiberfil.sys from the system drive.

Step 3: Verify Removal

Run the following command to check if hiberfil.sys has been removed:
```
dir /a C:\
```
If the file is no longer listed, the process is successful.

Additional Steps: Freeing Up More Space

If disk space is still an issue, consider the following additional steps:

Run Disk Cleanup:
1. Open File Explorer and right-click the system drive (C:).
2. Select Properties > Disk Cleanup.
3. Select Temporary Files, System Log Files, and Recycle Bin.
4. Click OK to remove unnecessary files.
Clear Temporary Files:
```
del /s /q %temp%\*
```
Remove Unnecessary Software: Uninstall unused applications via Control Panel > Programs and Features.

Conclusion

By disabling hibernation and removing hiberfil.sys, AWS WorkSpaces users can free up significant disk space. Regular maintenance such as clearing temporary files and using Disk Cleanup can further optimize storage usage.