Learn How to Start Your PC in Safe Mode

What Safe Mode Is and Why You Might Need It

Safe Mode is a special way to start your computer using only the most basic programs and drivers it needs to run. When you start in Safe Mode, Windows loads a limited set of files—just the core operating system and essential drivers that control things like your keyboard, mouse, and display. It skips loading most other programs, including antivirus software, games, media players, and other applications you normally use.

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Think of Safe Mode like taking your car to a mechanic. The mechanic doesn't drive it on the highway with the radio blasting and the air conditioning running. Instead, they drive it slowly with just the essentials to see what's actually wrong. Similarly, Safe Mode strips away extra features so you can focus on fixing problems.

You might need Safe Mode for several reasons. If your computer is running very slowly or freezing, Safe Mode can help you figure out if a recently installed program is causing the problem. If malware or a virus has infected your system, Safe Mode with networking (which includes internet access) lets you download antivirus tools without the malware running in the background. If Windows won't start normally, Safe Mode may load successfully and let you troubleshoot what's blocking normal startup.

Safe Mode is also useful when you've installed a new driver that's causing problems. Drivers are programs that help Windows communicate with hardware like printers, graphics cards, or sound cards. A bad driver can make your computer unstable, and Safe Mode lets you remove it and install a working version instead.

Practical Takeaway: Safe Mode is a diagnostic tool that helps you fix problems by running Windows with minimal software. If your computer is behaving strangely, Safe Mode is often the first troubleshooting step to try before attempting more complex fixes.

How to Enter Safe Mode on Windows 10

Windows 10 offers several ways to enter Safe Mode, depending on whether your computer will start normally or not. The easiest method works if Windows will boot up at all. Start by clicking the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left corner) and then click the power icon. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard while clicking "Restart." Keep holding Shift until you see a blue screen with options.

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On this blue screen, you'll see "Choose an option." Click on "Troubleshoot," then click "Advanced options." Next, click "Startup Settings." Windows will show you a list of startup options. Press the number 4 to enter Safe Mode, or press number 5 for Safe Mode with Networking (which includes internet access). Your computer will restart and load into Safe Mode.

If your computer won't start Windows normally, you can still access Safe Mode. You'll need a Windows installation disc or USB drive with Windows 10 on it. Insert this disc or USB drive and restart your computer. When prompted, select your language and other preferences. Click "Repair your computer" in the lower left corner, then follow the same steps as above to reach Startup Settings and choose Safe Mode.

If you don't have an installation disc, you can create one on another computer. Visit Microsoft's website and download the "Windows 10 Media Creation Tool." Follow the instructions to put Windows 10 on a USB drive. This USB drive can then be used to access Safe Mode on your problem computer.

Another method involves using the System Configuration tool if Windows starts but you need a more direct path to Safe Mode. Press the Windows key and R together to open the Run dialog. Type "msconfig" and press Enter. In the window that opens, click the "Boot" tab. Check the box next to "Safe boot" and select either "Minimal" (Safe Mode) or "Network" (Safe Mode with Networking). Click "Apply," then "OK," and restart your computer.

Practical Takeaway: You have multiple ways to reach Safe Mode in Windows 10—use the Shift+Restart method if Windows loads normally, or use installation media if it doesn't. The msconfig method is quickest if you want to repeatedly restart into Safe Mode while troubleshooting.

How to Enter Safe Mode on Windows 11

Windows 11 uses a similar process to Windows 10, but with some updated interface changes. If your computer starts normally, click the Start button and then the power icon. Hold down Shift while clicking "Restart." Your computer will load the recovery environment, which shows a blue screen with options. Click "Troubleshoot," then "Advanced options," then "Startup Settings." Press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

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You can also use the Settings app in Windows 11 to reach Safe Mode more directly. Click the Start button, type "Settings," and open the Settings application. Navigate to "System" on the left side, then scroll down and click "Recovery." Under "Startup settings," click the button that says "Restart now." This takes you directly to the Startup Settings screen where you can select Safe Mode without using the Shift+Restart method.

If Windows 11 won't start normally, you'll need a Windows 11 installation disc or USB drive. Windows 11 requires a USB drive in most cases since many newer computers don't have disc drives. You can create installation media on another computer using the "Windows 11 Installation Assistant" from Microsoft's website. Insert the USB drive into your problem computer, restart it, and press the key shown on screen to boot from USB (usually F12, Esc, or Del, depending on your computer manufacturer). Choose your language and follow the prompts until you see "Repair your computer," then proceed to Startup Settings.

The msconfig method also works on Windows 11. Press Windows key + R, type "msconfig," and press Enter. Click the "Boot" tab, check "Safe boot," select "Minimal" or "Network," click "Apply," then "OK," and restart. Note that in Windows 11, the boot options have slightly different labels than Windows 10, but the process remains similar.

Practical Takeaway: Windows 11 gives you more direct access to Safe Mode through the Settings app compared to Windows 10. The Settings app method is often faster than using Shift+Restart if you need to restart into Safe Mode multiple times while troubleshooting.

How to Enter Safe Mode on Windows 7 and Earlier Versions

Older versions of Windows use different methods to reach Safe Mode. On Windows 7, the most straightforward approach is to restart your computer and repeatedly press the F8 key before Windows starts loading. This should show you the "Advanced Boot Options" menu with choices like Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Use the arrow keys to highlight your choice and press Enter.

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Timing matters when pressing F8 on Windows 7. You need to press it after the computer starts but before the Windows logo appears. If you miss this window, you'll need to restart and try again. Some computers require pressing F8 before the manufacturer's logo appears, so you may need to restart several times to get the timing right. On laptops, you might need to press F8 and the Fn key together.

If F8 isn't working, try restarting in Safe Mode using the System Configuration utility. Click Start, go to All Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and click System Configuration. In the window that opens, click the "Boot" tab. Check the "Safe boot" checkbox and choose "Minimal" for Safe Mode or "Network" for Safe Mode with Networking. Click "Apply" and "OK," then restart your computer.

Windows Vista uses the same F8 method as Windows 7. Windows XP also uses F8, though the Advanced Boot Options menu looks slightly different. For Windows XP, you might also see options like "Last Known Good Configuration," which can help if a recent change is causing problems.

On computers running Windows XP, you can also access Safe Mode through the System Configuration utility. Click Start, then Run, type "msconfig," and press Enter. Click the "Boot.ini" tab and check "Safe boot," then choose your Safe Mode option. Click "Apply" and "OK," then restart.

Practical Takeaway: Older Windows versions rely heavily on the F8 key during startup, though timing can be tricky. If F8 doesn't work, the System Configuration utility offers a reliable alternative on all older Windows versions.

What to Do Once You're in Safe Mode