How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows

We’ve all been there. Your PC suddenly starts acting strange—it’s running incredibly slow, crashing randomly, or plagued by a mysterious error message. When your computer is on the fritz, it can feel like you’ve hit a brick wall. But before you resort to a full system reset or a costly trip to a repair shop, Windows has a powerful, built-in diagnostic tool that can help you fight back: Safe Mode.

Safe Mode is a stripped-down version of Windows that loads only the most essential files and drivers needed to run the operating system. It’s the perfect environment for troubleshooting because it disables third-party software, non-essential hardware drivers, and startup programs that could be causing the problem. Learning how to boot into Safe Mode is a fundamental skill for any Windows user, giving you a clean workspace to diagnose and fix a wide range of issues.

This guide will provide clear, step-by-step instructions on how to enter Safe Mode across different versions of Windows, from the modern interface of Windows 11 to the classic desktop of Windows 7.

This comprehensive guide will cover:

• Understanding the different types of Safe Mode.
• How to enter Safe Mode in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
• The classic method for booting into Safe Mode on Windows 7.
• What to do when you can’t even get to the login screen.
• Troubleshooting common problems when trying to access Safe Mode.

Understanding the Different Safe Mode Options

When you access the advanced startup options, you’ll see a few different types of Safe Mode. Understanding what each one does is key to choosing the right tool for your troubleshooting task.

• Safe Mode (Option 4): This is the standard, basic version. It loads the bare-minimum drivers and services. Your screen resolution may be low, and many hardware components like your sound card or certain peripherals won’t work. This is the best starting point for diagnosing software conflicts or malware issues.
• Safe Mode with Networking (Option 5): This option loads the same minimal set of files as standard Safe Mode but includes the necessary network drivers to give you internet access. This is incredibly useful if you need to download a malware scanner, search for solutions online, or install a new driver.
• Safe Mode with Command Prompt (Option 6): This is for advanced users. It loads a minimal version of Windows with a Command Prompt window instead of the usual graphical desktop. This is used for running specific commands to repair system files or perform other complex administrative tasks.

For most troubleshooting, Safe Mode with Networking is the most practical choice.

How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11 and Windows 10

In modern versions of Windows, Microsoft has streamlined the process of accessing the advanced startup environment. The days of repeatedly mashing the F8 key are mostly gone. Here are the most reliable methods.

Method 1: From the Settings App (If You Can Log In)

This is the easiest and most controlled way to get into Safe Mode if your computer is still functional enough to let you log in.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard, or by clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon.
2. In Windows 11: Navigate to the System section, then scroll down and click on Recovery.
3. In Windows 10: Click on Update & Security, then select the Recovery tab from the left-hand menu.
4. Look for the Advanced startup section. Click the Restart now button.
5. A blue screen will appear with the message “Please wait.” Your PC will then restart and boot into the “Choose an option” screen.
6. From here, follow these steps:
7. • Click Troubleshoot.
   • Click Advanced options.
   • Click Startup Settings.
   • Click the Restart button.
7. Your PC will restart one more time and present you with the Startup Settings menu. You can now choose which mode to enter by pressing the corresponding number key on your keyboard:
8. • Press 4 for standard Safe Mode.
   • Press 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
   • Press 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Your computer will now boot into your chosen Safe Mode environment.

Method 2: From the Login Screen (If You Can’t Log In)

If you can’t get past the Windows login screen, you can still access the recovery environment.

1. On the Windows login screen, locate the Power icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Click the Power icon to bring up the menu with Sleep, Shut down, and Restart.
3. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and, while still holding it, click Restart.
4. Continue holding the Shift key until the blue “Choose an option” screen appears.
5. From this point, the steps are identical to Method 1: Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, and then select your desired Safe Mode option.

Method 3: Using the System Configuration (msconfig) Tool

This method forces your computer to boot directly into Safe Mode every time you restart it, which can be useful if you need to perform several restarts during your troubleshooting.

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3. The System Configuration window will open. Go to the Boot tab.
4. In the “Boot options” section, check the box for Safe boot.
5. Below this, you can choose the type of Safe Mode:
6. • Minimal: Standard Safe Mode.
   • Alternate shell: Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
   • Network: Safe Mode with Networking.
6. Click Apply, then OK. You will be prompted to restart your computer.

Your PC will now automatically boot into Safe Mode.

CRITICAL: When you are finished troubleshooting, you must reverse this change. Open msconfig again, go to the Boot tab, and uncheck the “Safe boot” box. If you forget this step, your PC will be stuck in a Safe Mode loop.

Method 4: The Hard Reboot (When Windows Won’t Load at All)

If Windows fails to start properly, it is designed to automatically enter the recovery environment after two or three failed boot attempts. You can trigger this manually.

Warning: This method should be used as a last resort, as it involves interrupting the boot process, which carries a small risk of data corruption.

1. Press and hold the physical power button on your PC until it shuts down completely.
2. Press the power button again to turn it on.
3. As soon as you see the manufacturer logo or the spinning dots indicating Windows is loading, press and hold the power button again until it shuts down.
4. Repeat this process (turn on, then force shut down) two or three times.
5. On the next boot, Windows should display a “Preparing Automatic Repair” screen, which will lead you to the blue “Choose an option” recovery environment. From there, you can navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings to get to Safe Mode.

How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 7

For users still on the classic Windows 7 operating system, the process is much more direct and relies on the method that was removed in later Windows versions.

1. Restart your computer.
2. As soon as your computer begins to boot up, but before the Windows logo appears, repeatedly tap the F8 key on your keyboard.
3. If you time it right, the Advanced Boot Options screen will appear. This is a black-and-white text menu.
4. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to highlight your desired option:
5. • Safe Mode
   • Safe Mode with Networking
   • Safe Mode with Command Prompt
5. Press Enter. Windows 7 will now boot into the selected Safe Mode.

If you press F8 too early or too late, Windows may boot normally. If this happens, simply restart your computer and try again.

What Can You Do in Safe Mode?

Once you’re in Safe Mode, you have a clean environment to work with. Here are some common troubleshooting steps to take:

• Scan for Malware: If you suspect a virus is causing your issues, run a full system scan with Windows Defender or a trusted third-party antivirus program. Malware often can’t defend itself in Safe Mode.
• Uninstall Problematic Software: If your problems started after installing a new program, you can go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall it.
• Update or Roll Back Drivers: A faulty hardware driver is a common cause of crashes. You can go to Device Manager, find the problematic device (often marked with a yellow exclamation point), and try to update the driver. If you just updated a driver and problems began, you can also use the “Roll Back Driver” option.
• Run System File Checker: If you suspect core Windows files are corrupted, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command sfc /scannow. This will scan for and attempt to repair corrupted system files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Problem: The F8 key doesn’t work on Windows 10/11.
• • Solution: This is by design. With the advent of fast SSDs, the window of time to press F8 is too short. Microsoft has disabled it by default. You must use the other methods described, such as starting from the Settings app or the login screen. It is possible to re-enable the F8 key with a command-line tweak, but this is an advanced procedure.
• Problem: My BitLocker recovery key is required.
• • Solution: If your drive is encrypted with BitLocker, booting into the recovery environment will often trigger a security check, requiring you to enter your long BitLocker recovery key. This key is saved in the Microsoft account associated with the PC. You will need to use another device to log in to your Microsoft account and find the key under the “Devices” section.
• Problem: I’m stuck in a Safe Mode loop.
• • Solution: This almost always happens when you’ve used the msconfig method to force Safe Mode and forgotten to disable it. If you can get to the desktop, open msconfig and uncheck “Safe boot.” If you can’t, you may need to access the recovery environment and use the Command Prompt to manually edit the boot configuration data (BCD), which is a highly advanced step.

Mastering Safe Mode is like having a secret weapon in your PC maintenance toolkit. It empowers you to diagnose and fix many common Windows problems yourself, saving you time, money, and frustration.