How to Boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10 Using Every Available Method

Quick Access - How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10

1. At the login screen, choose "Power" then "Restart" while holding down the Shift key. 2. After your PC restarts to the "Choose an Option" screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart." 3. When your PC restarts again, a list of options should be displayed. Choose "4" or "F4" to start your PC in Safe Mode.

What is Windows 10 Safe Mode and Why Would You Use It?

While Windows 10 is highly adaptable and robust, it can occasionally encounter issues. In such cases, booting your computer into Safe Mode is an effective method for diagnosing and resolving common problems with your PC, such as when it gets stuck on the loading screen. (Windows 10 stuck on the loading screen)

Safe Mode is an integrated diagnostic mode in Windows 10 (as well as Windows 8, 7, etc.). It boots Windows with a minimal set of files and drivers in a basic state. If the issue doesn't occur in Safe Mode, it indicates that default settings and fundamental device drivers are not the cause. Running Windows in Safe Mode allows you to pinpoint the source of a problem and aids in troubleshooting issues on your computer.

Windows 10 provides three types of Safe Mode. You can opt to boot Windows 10 into any of these modes based on your requirements.

Enable Safe Mode

In this mode, the operating system is started with the bare minimum of installed drivers, and only the main Windows functions are used.

Enable Safe Mode with Networking

In this mode, the network drivers are also started.

Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt 启用带有命令提示符的安全模式

In this mode, the operating system boots up in text mode. This mode necessitates familiarity with computer commands and is hence more appropriate for advanced or professional users.

If you'd like to learn more about Safe Mode in detail, you can visit Wikipedia for additional information.

How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode (Official Guidelines)

If you're familiar with Windows 10, you might have noticed that pressing the F8 or Shift + F8 keys on your keyboard to enter Safe Mode no longer functions. The method to access Safe Mode has changed. How can you start Windows 10 in Safe Mode, especially when your PC fails to boot correctly or when you can't log into Windows 10? Here are six ways to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode (the comprehensive guide):

1. Start Safe Mode Directly from Windows 10 2. Enter Safe Mode from the Sign-in Screen 3. Restart Windows 10 in Safe Mode using Msconfig 4. Enter Safe Mode from the Settings App 5. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode from a Black Screen

Solution 1: Start Safe Mode Directly from Windows 10

If you're able to log in to Windows 10, you can directly boot into Safe Mode from your Start menu. Here are the detailed steps for starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode: 1. **Access the Settings Menu**: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app. 2. **Go to Update & Security**: In the Settings window, click on "Update & Security" from the available options. 3. **Choose Recovery**: On the left side of the Update & Security window, click on "Recovery." 4. **Access Advanced Startup**: Under the "Recovery" section, click on the "Restart now" button under the "Advanced startup" heading. 5. **Select Troubleshoot**: Your computer will restart, and you'll see the "Choose an option" screen. Select "Troubleshoot." 6. **Choose Advanced Options**: In the "Troubleshoot" screen, click on "Advanced options." 7. **Select Startup Settings**: From the Advanced options, choose "Startup Settings." 8. **Restart and Choose Safe Mode**: Click on "Restart" and your computer will reboot again. When it does, you'll see a list of startup options. Press the F4 key to start in Safe Mode or F5 to start in Safe Mode with Networking. 9. **Log In to Safe Mode**: After the computer boots into Safe Mode, sign in to your account as usual. That's it! You've successfully booted into Safe Mode in Windows 10 using the Start menu.

Step 1. Click the Windows button and choose "Power."

Step 2. Hold down the "Shift" key on the keyboard and click "Restart."

Step 3. Click on the "Troubleshoot" option.

Step 4. Next, choose the "Advanced options."

Step 5. Go to "Advanced options" and click "Startup Settings".

Step 5. Under "Start-up Settings", click "Restart".

Step 6. Various boot options are displayed.

• The relevant options for booting in Safe Mode are numbers 4, 5, or 6.
• Select an option by pressing one of the numbers or the function keys F4, F5, or F6.

Choose the appropriate Windows 10 Safe Mode based on your requirements.

Next, Windows 10 will start in Safe Mode. You can resolve your issues in Safe Mode.

Solution 2: Enter Safe Mode in Windows 10 from the Sign-in Screen

If you can't log into Windows 10 but can access the sign-in screen, you can enter Safe Mode by using Shift + Restart.

Step 1. Restart your Windows 10 PC. While on the Sign-in screen, press and hold the "Shift" key, then click the Power icon in the bottom-right corner and select "Restart."

Step 2. Windows 10 restarts and asks you to choose an option.

• Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings" > "Restart".

Once the Windows 10 PC restarts, you'll see a list of Windows startup options. Press F4 to boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode, or press F5 to start in Safe Mode with Networking in Windows 10.

Solution 3: Restart Windows 10 in Safe Mode using System Configuration To restart your Windows 10 computer in Safe Mode using the System Configuration utility, follow these steps: 1. Press the `Win + R` keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type `msconfig` in the dialog box and press Enter. This will open the System Configuration window. 3. In the System Configuration window, click on the "Boot" tab. 4. Under the "Boot options" section, check the box next to "Safe boot" to enable it. You can choose between "Minimal" or "Network" options. "Minimal" is a basic Safe Mode, while "Network" includes network drivers and services. 5. Once you've selected the desired Safe Mode option, click "Apply" and then "OK." 6. A prompt will appear, asking if you want to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Click "Restart" to proceed. 7. Your computer will now restart in Safe Mode. If you need to troubleshoot or perform any necessary tasks, do so while in Safe Mode. 8. To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your computer again without using the System Configuration settings. Remember that Safe Mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers, which can help you diagnose and fix issues that might not be apparent in a normal startup.

If you can normally access the Windows 10 system, you can also attempt another method to boot into Safe Mode.

Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys, type msconfig, and press "Enter" to open the System Configuration utility.

Step 2. Click the "Boot" tab. Under Boot options, you can select a "Safe boot" option according to your needs.

• Minimal equals Safe Mode.
• Alternate shell refers to Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• Network refers to Safe Mode with Networking.
• Active Directory repair option is used to repair the Active Directory server.

Typically, you can opt for the Minimal or Network option to boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode to diagnose and fix issues within the Windows 10 system.

Solution 4: Enter Windows 10 Safe Mode from the Settings App

If you can log in to Windows 10, this method also allows you to boot into Safe Mode.

Step 1. Press Windows + I and navigate to the "Update & security" section.

Step 2. On the left panel, click on "Recovery". On the right side of the application, click or tap the "Restart now" button.

Step 3. Once Windows 10 restarts, select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings" > "Restart". Follow the same steps as outlined in Solution 1 of this guide.

Solution 5: How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode from a Black/Blank Screen

If your computer fails to boot the system successfully, you'll need to directly access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Step 1. To accomplish this, you'll need to repeatedly turn your device off and then back on again.

1. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to shut off your device.
2. Press the power button again to turn your device back on.
3. As soon as you see any indication that Windows is starting (for instance, if the manufacturer's logo appears during reboot), hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device.
4. Press the power button once more to turn on your device.
5. When Windows restarts, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device.
6. Again, press the power button to turn on your device.
7. Let your device complete the restart process. This will initiate the Windows Recovery Environment (winRE).

Now that you are in winRE, you will follow these steps to take you to safe mode:

Step 2. On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart". Follow the same steps as those shown in Solution 1 from this guide.

Once your device restarts, you'll be presented with a list of options. Choose option 5 from the list or press F5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking.

Solution 6: How to Boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10 Using the F8 Key During Startup

Important: This method does not work for UEFI legacy and SSD drives.

In Windows 7, you could press F8 right before the operating system loaded to access the "Advanced Boot Options" window, where you could select Safe Mode. However, in Windows 10, this method is no longer available. Some suggest pressing Shift + F8 just as Windows 10 begins to start up to initiate the recovery mode, which then allows you to boot into Safe Mode.

The truth is that Shift + F8 and F8 do not function in Windows 10. If you have a contemporary computer with UEFI legacy and a swift SSD drive, it's not possible to interrupt the boot process using keyboard inputs. Only users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 can access Safe Mode through the F8 key.

How to Tell If You're in Safe Mode

How can you tell if you've entered Windows 10 Safe Mode? When in Safe Mode, the Desktop background will be blackened. The phrase "Safe Mode" appears in all four corners of the screen. Additionally, at the top of the screen, it displays the current Windows build and service pack version.

How to Easily Exit Windows 10 Safe Mode

If you want to exit safe mode, you can follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows logo key + R. 2. Type **msconfig** in the Open box, then select "OK". 3. Select the "Boot" tab. 4. Under Boot options, uncheck the "Safe boot" checkbox.

How to Troubleshoot Windows 10 Computer Issues in Safe Mode If you're experiencing problems with your Windows 10 computer, starting it in Safe Mode can be a helpful troubleshooting step. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that runs with minimal system drivers and services, allowing you to isolate and fix issues. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to boot into Safe Mode and troubleshoot your Windows 10 computer: 1. **Boot into Safe Mode:** - **Method 1 (Using Settings):** 1. Press `Win + I` to open Settings. 2. Click on `Update & Security`. 3. Select `Recovery` from the left panel. 4. Under the `Advanced startup` section, click `Restart now`. 5. Your PC will restart and show the 'Choose an option' screen. Select `Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart`. 6. After restarting, press the `F4` key (for Safe Mode) or `F5` (for Safe Mode with Networking) to enter Safe Mode. - **Method 2 (Using the Sign-in Screen):** 1. While your PC is turning on, repeatedly press the `F8` key before the Windows logo appears. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2. Use the arrow keys to select `Safe Mode` or `Safe Mode with Networking`, then press `Enter`. 2. **Diagnose and Fix Issues:** - Once in Safe Mode, try to identify the problem. If it's a software issue, uninstall recently installed programs or roll back driver updates that might be causing conflicts. - Run the built-in Windows Troubleshooters by going to `Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot`. Choose the relevant troubleshooter, and follow the on-screen instructions. - Check for malware by running a full system scan using Windows Defender or your preferred antivirus software. - If the issue is related to a startup program, you can manage them in Safe Mode by going to `Start > Run > msconfig`, then navigate to the `Startup` tab. 3. **Repair System Files:** - Run the `System File Checker` (SFC) tool by opening Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click on Command Prompt and choose `Run as administrator`). Type `sfc /scannow` and press `Enter`. This will scan and repair any corrupted system files. 4. **Reset or Refresh Windows:** - If the issue persists, you can consider resetting or refreshing your Windows 10 installation. Access these options through `Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get started`. 5. **Seek Professional Help:** - If you're unable to resolve the issue, consult a professional or contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. Remember to create a system restore point or backup your data before attempting any major changes to your system. This ensures you can revert to a working state if needed.

Starting your Windows 10 PC in Safe Mode can assist in resolving certain issues with your computer. If your desktop or laptop becomes infected by a virus, it is highly recommended to use a data recovery software. The Data Recovery Wizard tool simplifies the process of data recovery, even when your computer fails to boot or cannot start in Safe Mode.

Step 1. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard on Windows 11/10/8/7 and select the location where you lost your data. Click "Scan" afterwards.

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Step 2. Once the scan is complete, utilize the file format filter located on the left or upper-right corner to locate the files you need. You can then click the "Preview" button or double-click a file to preview its contents.

Step 3. Check the box next to the file and click "Recover" to restore the lost data to a secure location.

Next, you can address Windows computer issues when certain aspects of the operating system might not be working or might not perform as quickly as you're accustomed to. In Safe Mode, you can: 1.诊断和修复问题：Safe Mode allows you to identify and fix problems that prevent Windows from starting normally. It isolates potential issues by loading only the most essential system drivers and services. 2.卸载有问题的软件：If you suspect that a recently installed application is causing conflicts or crashes, you can uninstall it in Safe Mode without interference from other running programs. 3.删除恶意软件：Malware or viruses may prevent your computer from functioning correctly. Running an antivirus scan in Safe Mode can help detect and remove malicious software, as many viruses do not start in this mode. 4.恢复系统设置：If you've made changes to your system settings that caused problems, you can use Safe Mode to access System Restore and revert your computer to a previous, stable state. 5.更新或回滚驱动程序：Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause issues. Safe Mode lets you update or roll back drivers without interference from potentially conflicting software. 6.运行故障排除工具：Windows includes built-in troubleshooting tools that can run more effectively in Safe Mode. These tools can help identify and resolve various system issues. 7.修复启动文件：If there are issues with the files required for Windows to start, Safe Mode can help you repair or replace those critical system files. 8.管理账户：In some cases, you may need to create, modify, or delete user accounts in Safe Mode if accessibility is restricted under normal operation. Remember, always save any important data before attempting troubleshooting steps, and ensure you have a reliable backup in case anything goes wrong.

• Remove Malware or Virus
• Uninstall Incorrect Software
• Revert a Driver
• Update a Driver
• Execute a System Restore

Conclusion

As a diagnostic tool, you only need to boot into Safe Mode when you're troubleshooting an issue with your device or computer. If your computer can boot normally, Solution 3 is the simplest and quickest option. If you can't boot into Windows 10, I recommend Solution 5.