Final answer:
Fast startup in Windows saves the system state to a hibernation file for quicker boot times. In memory forensics, it records the contents of the RAM at shutdown, useful for investigations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fast startup, also known as hybrid boot, is a feature in Windows that allows for a quicker boot time by saving the system state to a hibernation file. When a computer is shut down using fast startup, the kernel session is not closed but instead hibernated. This means that instead of loading all drivers and services from scratch, the system can use the hibernation file to quickly resume the previous session.
In terms of memory forensics, fast startup records the system state at the time of shutdown, including the contents of the physical memory (RAM) at that moment. This can be valuable for forensic investigations as it provides a snapshot of the computer's memory, potentially containing important evidence or volatile artifacts.