Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode that boots your Windows computer using only the essential Windows services and drivers.
In safe mode the PC will only use a basic graphics driver and disables all start up programs.
In previous versions of Windows you could access safe mode by tapping the F8 key repeatedly during bootup. But since the release of Windows 10 that’s no longer available. How To Enable The F8 Key In Windows 10 And 11.
Start Windows In Safe Mode
Assuming that you can boot into Windows, then the easiest way to start in safe mode is through the Settings.
To open Settings you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I.
In Windows 10 when the Settings opens click on Update and Security. For Windows 11users, click System in the left hand pane and then Recovery.
Advanced Start-up
Safe mode is one of the options in the Advanced Start-up menu.
On the Recovery screen in Windows 10 click Recovery in the left hand panel. Under the Advanced Start-up section, click the Restart Now button.
For Windows 11, you should be able to see the Recovery Options section. Click the Restart Now button.
The computer will restart. From this point on, starting the computer in safe mode is the same in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Click the Troubleshoot option.
- Advanced Options
- Start-Up Settings
- And finally click on the Restart button.
Safe Mode Options
There are 3 safe mode options available. Safe Mode is the most basic option. Safe Mode with Networking will give you internet access and Safe Mode with Command Prompt will allow you to use the command line.
When your computer restarts, instead of booting straight into Windows, you’ll see the Startup Settings screen.
Simply press the number of the safe mode option that you want, e.g. 4, 5 or 6.
You can also use the equivalent F keys, F4, F5 or F6.
Starting In Safe Mode When PC Won’t Boot
There’ll obviously be times when you can’t get the computer to boot to the desktop at all. In that case accessing safe mode through the Windows Settings won’t be any use to you.
There’s 2 other methods for starting your computer in safe mode. Which one you use will depend on how far through the boot process you can get.
Often times, the PC will boot as far as the login screen. But any attempt to actually sign in causes the PC to either return to the login or simply crash.
Then there’ll be times when you can’t even get to log screen. We’ll deal with both scenarios below.
From The Login Screen
If you can get your computer to boot as far as the Windows login screen, then you can enter safe mode from there.
At the Windows login screen, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard. Keeping the Shift key depressed click the power button in the lower right corner of the screen.
On the menu, click Restart. You might get a warning popup about losing unsaved work, click Restart Anyway.
After the computer restarts you’ll be on the Choose an Option screen.
From here it’s exactly the same as above.
Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up Settings > Restart.
PC Won’t Boot At All
If your computer won’t boot up at all, not even as far as the login screen, then there’s only one option left open to you.
Turn your computer completely off. You might need to hold down the power button for 10 seconds or so.
Turn you computer back on and as soon as you see the Windows logo appearing, hold down the power button for 10 seconds again.
Turn the PC back on and then hold down the power button again.
Turn the computer back on for a third time and this time let it boot.
You should see the Automatic Repair start up. After the diagnosis has finished, click the Advanced Options button.
More Troubleshooting Posts
How To Use CHKDSK
If your computer is misbehaving, it could be down to the hard drive.
How To Run System File Checker (SFC).
Use SFC to check and repair Windows system files.
How To Use DISM.Exe
Will check and repair the Windows image.
