I'm new to using Linux and currently dual booting Windows and CachyOS on my main system while I migrate things over. Lately, I've been switching between both operating systems, and I've noticed something interesting: when I restart CachyOS, it feels like my previous session is right there waiting for me. All my apps are open, and my web browser tabs are just as I left them. In contrast, when I boot back into Windows, it takes ages to load, and I start with a blank desktop. I've heard that hibernation doesn't work well on Linux, so I'm curious about how this session restoration feature functions. Is this feature available across all Linux distributions or specific to certain ones?
2 Answers
It sounds like session restore is working like a charm! Basically, Linux remembers which apps you had running and, as long as they're coded properly, they’ll come back just like you left them. As for hibernation, you're correct that it has some reliability issues on Linux, and many users prefer just using regular shutdowns or suspending instead. Sometimes it can cause problems when the system’s hardware doesn't match the state it saved in hibernation.
What you're experiencing is likely a session restore feature that's part of your desktop environment. For instance, if you’re using KDE, it can automatically restore your previous session or allow you to save it manually for restoration later. It's designed to remember the apps you had open and revive them as if you never left!
Oh, I thought I read somewhere that hibernation wasn't as reliable on Linux. It’s good to know it can work depending on the setup.