Windows has released and continues to release several free tools that may come in handy if your copy of Windows is damaged or not working correctly. One such tool is the Windows Safe Mode. By using Safe Mode, you can run Windows with the bare minimum of configurations. It only uses the necessary drivers and files.

When you boot in Safe Mode, for example, your display will be limited to 16 colors and of very poor quality. You also won't be able to print documents or listen to music. Plus, it doesn't load many applications in the background. So, what is Safe Mode and how does it work? Let's find out…

What is Safe Mode?

Safe mode is a way to start the Windows 10 operating system without loading extra software, as opposed to a normal boot, which loads all regular drivers and apps. You can get into safe mode by pressing the Windows key + S.

Sometimes, Windows 10 will automatically boot into Safe Mode due to a problem it's having loading. However, there may be times when you need to manually start it in Safe Mode (for example, if you get a blue screen error every time you start Windows). Watching how Windows behaves in Safe Mode can help you narrow down the cause of the problem and assist in fixing issues on your computer. If your Windows Safe Mode is crashing, follow this easy guide to fix it:

How do I enter Safe Mode in Windows?

When Windows 10 boots in Safe Mode, only the bare minimum set of device drivers and services necessary to run the operating system are loaded into memory. Because nothing else is loaded that could potentially cause problems, troubleshooting becomes easier. Below, we outline a few ways to boot into Windows Safe Mode.

Method 1: Using “Shift + Restart” on the Login Screen

If your Mac can start up to the login screen, you can get to Safe Mode from here:

Step 1: Turn off and restart your computer.

Step 2: Hold the Shift key, and then on the sign-in screen, choose Power > Restart.

Step 3: Click on “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings,” and then restart your computer as prompted.

Click Command Prompt.

Step 4: After the restart, you should see a menu. Press the number 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode. To start in Safe Mode with Networking, press F5 or the number 5 key.

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Solution

Method 2: Using the System Configuration Tool

If you can boot into Windows normally, you can use a utility included in the System Configuration folder to start in Safe Mode:

Step 1: In Windows, click on the "Start" menu, type "msconfig," and then select "Open."

Step 2: Go to the Boot tab, check the box next to Secure Boot, and finally click OK.

Open System Configuration

Step 3: When prompted to restart your computer to implement the changes, click on the Restart button. This will boot your computer into Safe Mode.

Method 3: Using the Shutdown Command in CMD

To start using your electronic device in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, please follow these steps: 1. First, turn off your device. Make sure it's completely powered down, not just on sleep or standby. 2. As you're booting up the device, you'll need to quickly press a specific key to enter the Boot Options menu. This key is usually F2, F10, F12, Esc, or Delete, but it may vary depending on your device model. Check your device manual or search online for the correct key. 3. In the Boot Options menu, locate and select "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Command Prompt." You can typically do this using the arrow keys. 4. Press Enter to confirm your selection. Your device will begin the startup process, and in this mode, the system will run with minimal core drivers and services. 5. Once you see the Command Prompt window appear, that means you've successfully entered Safe Mode. Now, you can type various commands to diagnose and fix issues. Keep in mind that Safe Mode is primarily for troubleshooting and problem-solving, and it's not recommended for everyday use. Before executing any commands, ensure you understand their purpose to avoid unnecessary system damage.

Step 1: Open the Start menu.

Step 2: To open Command Prompt as an administrator, search for “Command Prompt,” then right-click the top result.

Step 3: To enable the Boot Manager at boot time, type the following command and press Enter: bcdedit /set 'bootmgr' displaybootmenu yes This is the command you need to use.

Run the command

4. To restart the computer, type the following command, and then press ENTER: shutdown /r /t 0

Step 5: In the Boot Manager, press F8 to access the Boot Settings menu option.

Step 6: Select one of the Safe Mode options. Your computer will boot into Safe Mode.

Select an alternative

Safe mode versus normal mode

Safe Mode and Normal Mode are two distinct options in Windows, each with its own set of features and functionalities. Let's explore the differences between them:

    1. A computer's typical operating state is referred to as normal mode, which isn't an exact technical term. In contrast, safe mode is a diagnostic mode used to troubleshoot issues within the computer system.
    2. Safe mode is more suitable for troubleshooting because it boots with all non-essential applications disabled. This makes it easier to identify and rectify issues.
    3. Driver loading is another distinction. The operating system loads all drivers in normal mode, with no restrictions on graphic, sound, network, or server drivers. Safe mode, on the other hand, blocks certain drivers. It lacks graphics, sound, and network drivers.

Final Award

This article will teach you how to boot your computer into Safe Mode effectively. Being able to start Windows in Safe Mode is a useful troubleshooting tool that makes it easier to identify and fix many problems and glitches with Windows. We hope this has been informative, but your learning shouldn't stop here! There are many free programs available for Windows that can rival their commercial counterparts.

Frequently Asked Questions about Safe Mode

Should I use Windows Safe Mode?

When you boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10, the operating system disables many non-essential features. If Windows 10 won't start up properly, or if you're troubleshooting a problem, booting into Safe Mode is a good idea.

Is it safe to use Safe Mode?

If you need to troubleshoot your operating system, you can boot into "Safe Mode," which starts up without loading most software and drivers. You would enter Safe Mode to remove malware or incompatible programs that are preventing your computer from starting up normally.