How to Boot Windows in Safe Mode

Read this article about booting Windows in Safe Mode. We will explore all standard methods involving a recovery disk or a certain combination of keys. If the operating system doesn’t boot or works incorrectly for a number of possible reasons, sometimes the only effective way to bring it back to normal and access your data is to boot the computer in Safe Mode and fix the errors in that mode.

Safe Mode in Windows 10

If you already spent some time working in Windows 10, you must have noticed that old ways of booting a computer in Safe Mode don’t work anymore. That is, pressing the keys F8 or Shift+F8 while booting you can no longer send your machine into the Safe Mode.

However, it doesn’t mean that Windows 10 no longer has Safe Mode. It’s just the sequence of steps you have to take has changed. Let’s explore each one in detail.

When you enter Safe Mode in Windows 10, the operating system boots a minimalistic interface and only the most necessary services and drivers which are required for Windows to operate.

Method 1: With the System Configuration utility (msconfig.exe)

The easiest way to boot Safe Mode in Windows 10 is with the System Configuration utility. It is well-known by its actual name, msconfig.exe.

To start this utility, launch the Run window with the key combination Windows + R and type in the command msconfig.

In the System Configuration window that opens jump to the tab Boot, and in the section Boot options select Safe boot.

After that, the operating system will suggest restarting the computer for the changes to take effect. You can continue working with the computer without restarting, or restart it, and it will boot in Safe Mode automatically.

Method 2: Restart the computer with pressing the Shift key (Shift + Restart)

One more way to enter Safe Mode in Windows 10 is to restart the computer while holding down the Shift key.

To do it, open the Start menu, click the Power button while holding down the Shift key and select Restart.

You can also use this key combination from the lock screen.

After that, Windows 10 will restart and suggest you to choose one of the menu items. Select Troubleshoot / Advanced options.

In the Advanced options window, select Startup settings

Windows 10 will notify the user that the operating system can be restarted to enable advanced options, one of which being Safe Mode. Then click on Restart.

After the computer restarts, choose what settings you need to boot the operating system. To boot the system in Safe Mode there are three options (F4 – F6).

Method 3: Booting with a recovery disk

Windows 10 features a specialized tool to create recovery disks.

Boot Windows 10 with such a recovery disk. After that, the operating system will suggest you to select the keyboard layout, and then choose Troubleshoot / Advanced options. Further actions are similar to those described in the previous part of the article.

Method 4: Advanced Boot options

Although there are a few ways to boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode, this one would be the most correct – provided that the operating system which you need to boot in Safe Mode is fully operational.

Doing it is quite easy:

  • Open Settings
  • Go to Update and Security / Recovery
  • In the Advanced startup section click on Restart now.
  • After that, Windows 10 will restart and suggest you to choose one of the menu items. Select Troubleshoot / Advanced options.
  • After that, follow the sequence of actions described in Method 2.

The ways of booting the operating system in Safe Mode as described here can be applied both for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.

In these versions of Windows, Safe Mode is no longer the feature that only IT professionals use in their work. On the contrary, now it is only one of the OS features available to every user, which can be applied to restore the computer’s operability and regain access to personal data.

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

  • Updated:
  • Evaluations:
  • 14
  • /
  • :

Share

Questions and answers

How do you access Safe Mode in Windows 10 using the "Shift + Restart" method?

  1. Open the Start Menu and select the Power button.
  2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and select the Restart option while still holding down the Shift key.
  3. Your computer will restart and you will see a blue screen with several options.
  4. Select the Troubleshoot option.
  5. Select Advanced Options.
  6. Select Startup Settings.
  7. Select Restart.
  8. Your computer will restart again and you will see a list of startup settings.
  9. Select 4 or press F4 to start your computer in Safe Mode.

Can you use the "Shift + Restart" method to access Safe Mode if your computer won't boot normally?

Yes, the "Shift + Restart" method can be used to access Safe Mode if your computer won't boot normally. To do this, press and hold the Shift key while you click the Restart button in the Start menu. This will open a troubleshooting menu where you can select the option to boot into Safe Mode.

What is the "System Configuration" method for accessing Safe Mode, and how does it work?

The System Configuration method for accessing Safe Mode is a Windows feature that allows users to access the Safe Mode boot options from the Windows operating system. It works by accessing the System Configuration window from the Start menu, clicking on the Boot tab, then selecting the Safe Boot option and choosing either Minimal or Alternate Shell. This will then restart the computer and load the Safe Mode boot options.

What is the difference between the "Minimal" and "Alternate shell" options when using the "System Configuration" method?

The Minimal option is the default option for the System Configuration method. It will only load the essential drivers and services, which can help speed up the boot process and reduce the amount of resources used by the system. The Alternate shell option will load a different shell than the default one, such as Bash or PowerShell. This can be useful for troubleshooting or for running specific commands.

How do you access Safe Mode using the "F8" key during startup, and why is this method less reliable?

To access Safe Mode using the "F8" key during startup, press and hold the F8 key while the computer is booting up. This method is less reliable because some computers are now configured to boot too quickly for the F8 key to be recognized.

Comments (11) #

  • Stanford Cole 17.06.2020 18:40 #

    How do you exit Safe Mode and return to normal Windows mode?

    • Hetman Software 17.06.2020 19:01 #

      To exit Safe Mode and return to normal Windows mode, restart your computer. On most computers, you can restart by pressing the power button and then selecting the “Restart” option. After your computer restarts, it should boot into normal Windows mode.

  • Spencer Colgate 17.06.2020 14:31 #

    How do you troubleshoot issues in Safe Mode?

    • Hetman Software 17.06.2020 15:07 #

      1. Check for driver updates: In Safe Mode, you can check for driver updates that may help fix any issues you are having. To do this, go to the Device Manager, right-click on the device causing issues, and select Update Driver.
      2. Uninstall recently installed programs: If you recently installed a program that is causing issues, try uninstalling it in Safe Mode. To do this, go to the Control Panel and select Programs and Features.
      3. Run a virus scan: Run a full virus scan in Safe Mode to check for any malicious software that may be causing the issue.
      4. Restore your system: If all else fails, you can try restoring your system to an earlier point in time. To do this, go to the Control Panel and select System and Security. Then, select System Restore and follow the instructions to restore your system.
  • Increase Hanshaw 17.06.2020 10:34 #

    Can you access Safe Mode in Windows 10 if you don't have a Windows 10 installation media?

    • Hetman Software 17.06.2020 10:48 #

      Yes, you can access Safe Mode in Windows 10 without an installation media. To do so, you must use the Advanced Startup Options menu. This menu can be accessed by holding down the Shift key while selecting the Restart option from the Start menu. Once the Advanced Startup Options menu is open, select the option to enter Safe Mode.

  • Rufus Day 17.06.2020 08:32 #

    What is the "Windows Recovery Environment" method for accessing Safe Mode, and how do you access it?

    • Hetman Software 17.06.2020 09:04 #

      The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a set of tools and utilities that can be used to diagnose and repair problems with a Windows installation. It can also be used to access Safe Mode, which is a troubleshooting mode that starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. To access Safe Mode through the Windows Recovery Environment, you will need to boot your computer from the Windows installation media (such as a CD or USB drive). Once the installation media has loaded, select the “Repair your computer” option and then select the “Troubleshoot” option. From there, select the “Advanced Options” option and then select the “Startup Settings” option. Finally, select the “Restart” option and then select the “Enable Safe Mode” option.

  • Paris Triplett 17.06.2020 06:35 #

    Can you use the "F8" method to access Safe Mode if your computer won't boot normally?

    • Hetman Software 17.06.2020 06:58 #

      Yes, you can use the "F8" method to access Safe Mode if your computer won't boot normally. To do so, you will need to press and hold the "F8" key while your computer is booting up. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu, where you can select the option to boot into Safe Mode.

  • Maxim Cherniga 15.06.2020 18:07 #

    If you have any questions about booting Windows 10 in safe mode, leave a comment to ask one.

Post comment

Recommended For You