Getting into Windows Safe Mode

Getting into Windows Safe Mode

Windows Safe Mode is useful for troubleshooting computer problems, including software and hardware issues. To access Windows Safe Mode, select a link below for the version of Windows you have on your computer.

Microsoft Windows 10 users

Description: Description: Windows 10 Startup Settings Safe Mode options

To access Safe Mode in Windows 10, follow the steps below.

1. Press the Windows key, type Change advanced startup options, and then press Enter.

2. Under the Recovery tab, select the Restart now option under Advanced startup.

3. After a moment, you'll see a menu with three options. Select the Troubleshoot option.

4. Select Advanced options, Startup Settings, and then the Restart button.

5. You should see a screen like the one pictured to the right. Select your appropriate Safe Mode option by pressing the corresponding number on your keyboard.

Alternative method

1. Press the Windows key and the R key together to access the Run option.

2. Type msconfig in the Open: field.

3. In the System Configuration window, click on the Boot tab.

4. On the bottom left, in the Boot options section, check the box for Safe boot.

5. Select the Minimal option, then Apply, and then the OK.

6. Restart the computer and it should load into Safe Mode.

Description: Description: Windows 10 boot configuration

Note

If you use the above option to access Safe Mode, you need to follow the same steps and uncheck the Safe boot option when you're done. Otherwise, your computer will continue to automatically boot into Safe Mode each time you restart it.

Microsoft Windows 8 users

Description: Description: Windows 8 Startup Settings Safe Mode options

To access Safe Mode in Windows 8, follow the steps below.

1. Press the Windows key, type Change advanced startup options, and then press Enter.

2. Under the Recovery tab, select the Restart now option under Advanced startup.

3. After a moment, you'll see a menu with three options, select Troubleshoot.

4. Select Advanced options, Startup Settings, and then the Restart button.

5. You should see a screen like the one pictured to the right. Select your appropriate Safe Mode option by pressing the corresponding number on your keyboard.

Alternative method 1

Note

The following method will not work if you have an SSD(solid-state drive). If you have an SSD, try the next section.

1. When the computer is booting, press and hold the Shift key, and tap the F8 key repeatedly until the Recovery screen appears.

2. Click the See advanced repair options option on the Recovery screen.

3. On the Choose an option screen, select the Troubleshoot option.

4. Select Advanced options, and then Windows Startup Settings.

5. On the Windows Start Settings screen, click the Restart option.

Note

If you have trouble getting to the Recovery screen in step 1 above, you may have to try it several times, with several reboots of your computer.

When the computer restarts, you should see the standard Choose Advanced Options screen, similar to the example below. Use your arrow keys to move to Safe Mode and press Enter.

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Alternative method 2

1. Press the Windows key and the R key together to access the Run option.

2. Type msconfig in the Open: field.

3. In the System Configuration window, click on the Boot tab.

4. On the bottom left, in the Boot options section, check the box for Safe boot.

5. Select the Minimal option, then Apply, and then the OK.

6. Restart the computer and it should load into Safe Mode.

Description: Description: System configuration Safe boot

Note

Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Vista users

Tip

If you are running Safe Mode because you cannot get into Windows, you may want to first try loading the last known good configuration.

To get into the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Safe Mode, as the computer is booting, press and hold your F8 Key, which should bring up the Choose Advanced Options screen as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move highlight Safe Mode and press your Enter key.

Note

On some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting, you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, continuously tap F8 upon startup rather than holding it.

Trouble Getting into Safe Mode - If after several attempts you cannot get the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen to come up by pressing F8, turn off your computer while it is loading into Windows. When the computer is turned on the next time, Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen like the one shown below.

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Once you're done in Safe Mode, if you want to get back into normal Windows, restart the computer. See the below how to get out of Safe Mode if you have further questions.

Alternative method

1. Press the Windows key and the R key together to access the Run option.

2. Type msconfig in the Open: field.

3. In the System Configuration window, click on the Boot tab.

4. On the bottom left, in the Boot options section, check the box for Safe boot.

5. Select the Minimal option, then Apply, and then the OK.

6. Restart the computer and it should load into Safe Mode.

Description: Description: Msconfig system configuration safe boot

Note

Windows XP and Windows 2000 users

Tip

If you are running Safe Mode because you cannot get into Windows, you may want to first try loading the last known good configuration.

To get into the Windows 2000 and XP Safe Mode, as the computer is booting, press and hold your F8 Key, which should bring up the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to highlight the Safe Mode option and press your Enter key.

Note

On some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting, you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, continuously tap F8 upon startup, rather than holding it.

Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe Mode - If after several attempts you cannot get the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen to come up by pressing F8, turn off your computer while it is loading into Windows. When the computer is turned on the next time, Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.

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Once you're done in Safe Mode, if you want to get back into normal Windows, restart the computer. See the below how to get out of Safe Mode if you have further questions.

Windows 98 and Windows ME users

To get into Windows 98 and ME Safe Mode, press and hold either the F8 or Ctrl key as the computer is booting up. If done properly, you should see the "Windows 98 Startup Menu" or "Windows ME Startup Menu" screen, similar to the example below. In this menu, choose option 3 by pressing the 3 key and then pressing Enter.

Note

On some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting, you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, continuously tap F8 upon startup, rather than holding it.

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Once you're done in Safe Mode, if you want to get back into normal Windows, restart the computer. See the below how to get out of Safe Mode if you have further questions.

Windows 95 users

To get into Windows 95 Safe Mode, as the computer is booting, when you either hear a beep or when you see the message "Starting Windows 95." Press your F8 key on the top of your keyboard. If done properly, you should see the "Windows 95 Startup Menu" screen, similar to the example below. In this menu, choose option 3 by pressing the 3 key, and then pressing Enter.

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Once you're done in Safe Mode, if you want to get back into normal Windows, restart the computer. See the below how to get out of Safe Mode if you have further questions.

How to get out of Safe Mode

From Windows Safe Mode, click Start, Shutdown, and restart the computer to boot back into Normal Mode.

Note

Many users believe they are still in Safe Mode because the colors or video may not look correct. Unless it says "Safe Mode" in the corners of the screen, you are not in Safe Mode. If your colors are distorted or you have video problems, see the below document.

· How to set the display resolution in Microsoft Windows.

If you are rebooting the computer and it is rebooting back into Safe Mode, it is likely another problem exists with Windows preventing it from loading into normal Windows. We recommend you see the basic troubleshooting section for additional ideas that may help to resolve your issue.

Which Safe Mode option should I choose?

Users who are running later versions of Windows will get different options for different versions of Safe Mode. For example, you may have options for "Safe Mode," "Safe Mode with Networking," and "Safe Mode with Command Prompt." Below is a brief description of each of these different modes.

Safe Mode

The basic Safe Mode option is usually what most users will want to choose when troubleshooting their computer. The only downside is that this option has no additional support.

Safe Mode with Networking

Users who need access to the Internet or the network the computer is connected to while in Safe Mode should select this option. This mode is helpful for when you need to be in Safe Mode to troubleshoot, but also need access to the Internet so you can get updates, drivers, or other files to help troubleshoot your issue.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt

This version of Safe Mode gives you access to the command line (MS-DOS prompt).