Booting Your PC in Safe Mode – Quick Guide

Safe mode is a useful tool for troubleshooting issues with your computer, including startup problems, malware infections, and problematic software installations. It allows you to start your PC with only the essential programs and drivers needed to run, making it easier to identify and fix problems.

When you boot your computer in safe mode, it only loads the minimum number of drivers necessary, such as the mouse, keyboard, and display drivers. This reduces the chances of encountering issues caused by other software or drivers.

Safe mode can be used to fix a variety of problems, including:

• Diagnosing and resolving hardware issues
• Uninstalling problematic programs
• Updating drivers
• Removing malware

To start your PC in safe mode, the process varies depending on your operating system:

Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode

On Windows 10, there are different ways to enter safe mode. One method is through the Settings menu:

1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
2. In the Settings window, click on Update & Security.
3. Choose Recovery from the left-hand menu.
4. Under Advanced startup, click on the Restart now button.
5. Your computer will restart, and you will be presented with the Windows Recovery Environment.
6. From there, navigate to Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and finally Startup Settings.
7. Click on the Restart button.
8. You will see a list of startup settings. Press the corresponding number key or function key for the desired safe mode option.

Alternatively, you can use the Windows System Configuration tool (msconfig.exe) to boot into safe mode:

1. Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run window.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
3. In the Boot tab, select the preferred safe mode option.
4. Click OK and restart your computer to boot into safe mode.

Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode (While Booting)

If you’re unable to log into Windows 10 and need to start in safe mode, you can do so while booting your PC:

1. Restart your PC and press the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
2. Select the Safe Mode option.

Please note: In Windows 10, the F8 key functionality is disabled by default. To re-enable it, you need to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Another way to start Windows 10 in safe mode while booting is by using the Windows System Configuration tool (msconfig.exe):

1. Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run window.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
3. In the Boot tab, choose a safe boot option based on your needs and click OK.
4. Restart your computer to boot into safe mode.

Enabling F8 Key Functionality in Windows 10

If you want to use the F8 key to access the Advanced Boot Options menu in Windows 10, you can re-enable it by following these steps:

1. Ensure you have a recovery DVD or partition available for your Windows 10 installation.
2. Power on your PC and enter the BIOS setup using the appropriate key(s).
3. Configure your BIOS to use your recovery medium as the first boot device.
4. Reboot into the recovery medium and select Repair your computer.
5. In the Choose an option window, go to Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and finally Command Prompt.
6. In the command-line interface, type C: and press Enter.
7. Type BCDEDIT /SET {DEFAULT} BOOTMENUPOLICY LEGACY and press Enter.
8. Type EXIT to exit the command-line interface.
9. Set your BIOS to boot from your Windows 10 installation again.
10. Now, when your computer begins to restart, you can start pressing the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
11. Select the Safe Mode option.

Now that you know how to start your PC in safe mode, you can troubleshoot and resolve various issues with ease.

How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode

Windows 10 offers three types of safe mode: Enable Safe Mode, Enable Safe Mode with Networking, and Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Enable Safe Mode loads only the most essential settings and services, cutting off unnecessary programs, drivers, and services. Enable Safe Mode with Networking adds necessary drivers and services required to access networks, while keeping the same set of drivers and services as Safe Mode. Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt starts Windows 10 with a Command Prompt window, allowing you to use command lines to address PC-related issues.

To start Windows 10 in safe mode, you have two options:

1. Option 1: Using Windows Recovery Environment
2. Option 2: Using the Windows System Configuration tool (msconfig.exe)

Option 1: Using Windows Recovery Environment

To start Windows 10 in safe mode using Windows Recovery Environment:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Choose Recovery.
4. Click Restart now under Advanced startup to enter Windows Recovery Environment.
5. Go to Troubleshoot.
6. Select Advanced options.
7. Click Startup Settings.
8. Choose the desired safe mode option (Enable Safe Mode, Enable Safe Mode with Networking, or Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt).
9. Restart your computer to boot into safe mode.

Option 2: Using the Windows System Configuration tool (msconfig.exe)

To start Windows 10 in safe mode using the Windows System Configuration tool:

1. Press the Windows + R key combination.
2. Type msconfig and open the System Configuration utility.
3. In the Boot tab, select the preferred safe boot option, such as Minimal for Safe Mode.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer to boot into safe mode.

Starting Windows 10 in safe mode can help you troubleshoot various PC-related issues effectively.

How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode (While Booting)

If you’re unable to log into Windows 10 and need to start in safe mode, you can do so while booting your PC. One method is to restart your PC and press the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears. From there, select the Safe Mode option.

However, in Windows 10, the F8 key functionality is disabled by default. To re-enable it, you need to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This can be done by turning off and on your PC three times, and on the third time, the Automatic Repair window should appear. From there, you can go to Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and Startup Settings, where you can select a safe mode option.

Another way to start Windows 10 in safe mode while booting is by using the Windows System Configuration tool (msconfig.exe). Open the Run window by pressing the Windows + R key combination, type msconfig, and open the System Configuration utility. In the Boot tab, choose a safe boot option based on your needs and click OK. Restart your computer to boot into safe mode.

Enabling F8 Key Functionality in Windows 10

The F8 key functionality, which allows you to access the Advanced Boot Options menu in previous versions of Windows, is disabled in Windows 10. However, you can re-enable it by following these steps.

First, you will need a recovery DVD or partition available for your Windows 10 installation. Power on your PC and enter the BIOS setup using the appropriate keys. Configure your BIOS to use your recovery medium as the first boot device. Reboot into the recovery medium and select “Repair your computer” from the first displayed screen.

From the “Choose an option” window, go to “Troubleshoot”, “Advanced options”, and “Command Prompt”. In the command-line interface, type “C:” and press Enter. Then type “BCDEDIT /SET {DEFAULT} BOOTMENUPOLICY LEGACY” and press Enter. Type “EXIT” to exit the command-line interface. Finally, set your BIOS to boot from your Windows 10 installation again.

Now, when your computer begins to restart, you can start pressing the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears. From there, select the “Safe Mode” option.