Process and review a hibernation file¶
Prepare the input¶
Record the disk image or acquisition identifier and original hiberfil.sys path.
Verify its SHA-256 against the protected acquisition copy before processing.
Create an empty case linked directory on separate storage with adequate capacity.
Do not process the only copy. Preserve filename, byte size, file system
metadata, source volume context and acquisition method. If the source is
BitLocker protected, record how it was unlocked and how hiberfil.sys was
exported because the resulting bytes may differ between acquisition methods.
Process with the graphical interface¶
- Select Process hiberfil.sys.
- Choose the verified case linked working copy, not a similarly named file from Downloads.
- Select the empty controlled output directory.
- Confirm the authorised licence mode and processing choices.
- Start processing and retain completion status, warnings, inaccessible regions, start/finish times and output filenames.
For a recorded CLI workflow, the vendor documents the basic form:
Run the executable with no switches to review the options supported by the installed version. Do not invent switches from an older release.
Review the returned evidence¶
| Output | Review purpose | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
ActiveMemory.bin |
Reconstructed active memory for a compatible analysis tool | Reconstructed, time bounded memory is not a complete activity history |
HibRec.log |
Tool version, source, processing path, status, warnings and errors | A success message does not prove every page was recoverable |
Indx_I30_Entries.csv |
Recovered NTFS indexed folder entries where produced | A recovered entry requires source and timestamp context review |
Indx_ObjIdO_Entries.csv |
Recovered linked file or Object ID index data where produced | Presence does not by itself prove a user action or intent |
After processing, calculate SHA-256 for the protected output and a separate working copy. Analyse only the verified working copy and preserve the log beside the acquisition record.