Safe Mode is a way of opening up a limited version of Windows. Doing so allows you to get around bugs or avoid viruses while troubleshooting problems with your system, making it safer for you to work on issues affecting the core of your computer.
On older systems, you can boot into Safe Mode by starting up your computer and pressing F8 when Windows first loads. However, Microsoft‘s latest iteration of Windows doesn’t follow this rule. So how do you turn on safe mode in Windows 10? This guide explains everything you need to know.
Which safe mode do you want?
On Windows 10, there are a few different types of Safe Mode you can choose from, so it’s important to know what they do and which you need.
- Safe Mode: This is the basic version that strips away all unnecessary programs and only autostarts a few chosen files and drivers to get the basic system running. It doesn’t allow for many advanced features, including connections with other computers or devices. That makes the computer safer from malware that may be able to move through local networks (like the WannaCry ransomware appeared capable of doing).
- Safe Mode with Networking: This is a mode that adds the necessary drivers and features to access networks. It’s not quite as safe, but it’s useful if you only have one computer and need to get online to look for help or see if connections to other devices still work.
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt: This option may not be available on all versions of Windows 10, but if it is you can enter this mode to bring up a big command prompt screen. This is good for more badly damaged operating systems or technical work where you know the precise command lines necessary to find a problem or launch a specific service. Make sure you know how to use the Command Prompt before accessing this mode.
Method 1: From the login screen or when frozen
If you are still on the login screen, this is an effective way to quickly boot into Safe Mode — and it may also work if Windows has suddenly frozen or programs like Outlook have become unresponsive.
Step 1: From the login screen, hold down Shift, and then click the power button on the screen (not your physical power button on the PC or laptop). A small box should pop up with a few different shut down options. Choose the Restart option.
Step 2: Windows should revert to a window that says Choose an option (it may take a little time so don’t try anything until you see this). From here you will need to go through a few different menus to find the right restart option. First choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings, and then Restart.
Step 3: Windows should now open up to a new window that says Startup Settings and includes a list of different options. The first Safe Mode options should be 4, with the other Safe Mode options following after. Press the number key for the Safe Mode that you want.
Method 2: When you’re already in Windows 10
There’s a slightly more roundabout way to boot into Safe Mode from inside Windows 10. This method may be more useful if you want Windows to shut down and restart safely while preserving as much data as it can — while avoiding complex command lines.
Step 1: Head to your Start menu, and then choose or search for Settings.
Step 2: In Settings, look for Update & Security and select it. This will open a new window with a sidebar on the left side. In this sidebar, look for Recovery, and select that.
Step 3: Under the Advanced startup option, you should see a Restart now button. Select it and this will take you to the same selection screen as the first method of entering Safe Mode.
Step 4: Move through these menus by selecting Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings, and then Restart.
Step 5: Give Windows time to load your selection of Startup settings. The “Safe Mode” options start at number 4. Press the number key for the Safe Mode you want.
Exiting Safe Mode
After you fixed your Windows problem, you must follow a few steps to restore the device’s original settings. That should get you back to your standard Windows 10 experience. The following steps are how to do it.
Note: There’s a different technique you can use to boot into Safe Mode from Windows; simply reverse the second part of Step 2.
Step 1: Begin by selecting the Start button. In the search box on your screen, type MSConfig and tap Enter. The computer should then open or display the System Configuration feature automatically.
Step 2: Navigate to the Boot option. Under Boot options, you should see several options for Safe boot on the lower-left side of the screen. Select one of those. Ensure that Safe boot is not checked.
Step 3: Now that Safe boot is unselected, choose OK, and opt to restart Windows 10. You can restart the computer as you usually would. From there, it should reopen with its full Windows capabilities.
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