
There are 3 ways to enter Safe Mode on Windows 10 and Windows11, and exploring these options can provide crucial troubleshooting avenues.
Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode in Windows operating systems that starts your computer with a minimal set of drivers and services. This is useful for troubleshooting problems, such as removing malware or fixing issues that prevent Windows from starting normally. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting into Safe Mode in both Windows 10 and 11.
Method 1: Access Safe Mode From Settings App
⚠ This method is only suitable if Windows starts normally, as it needs to be initiated from the settings.
- Open Settings:
- Press Windows + i Key on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Update & Security. (For Windows 11 you need to click on System )
- Access Recovery Options:
- In the left pane, click on Recovery.
- Under the Advanced startup section, click on Restart now.
- Troubleshoot:
- After your PC restarts, you’ll see a blue screen with several options.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Advanced Options:
- Click on Advanced options.
- Startup Settings:
- Click on Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Enable Safe Mode:
- After your PC restarts again, you’ll see a list of options. Press F4 to start in Safe Mode, F5 to start in Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 to start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
- After your PC restarts again, you’ll see a list of options. Press F4 to start in Safe Mode, F5 to start in Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 to start in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Method 2: Using the System Configuration Tool (msconfig)
- Open System Configuration:
- Press Windows + R Key on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type msconfig and press Enter.
- Boot Options:
- Go to the Boot Tab.
- Under Boot options check the safe boot box
- Select the type of Safe Mode you want: Minimal, Alternate shell, Active Directory repair, or Network.
- Restart:
- Click OK then Restart to enter Safe Mode.
- Click OK then Restart to enter Safe Mode.
Method 3: Access Safe Mode From a Black or Blank Screen
- Interrupt the Normal Boot Process:
- If your PC has a black or blank screen, you need to interrupt the normal boot process. To do this, turn your PC on and off three times.
- Press the power button to turn on your PC. As soon as you see the Windows logo, hold the power button until the PC shuts down.
- Repeat this process two more times.
- Access Advanced Startup:
- On the third restart, your PC should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) .
- Once in WinRE, select “Troubleshoot”.
- Click on “Advanced options” .
- Choose “Startup Settings” .
- Click on “Restart” .
- Enable Safe Mode::
- After your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select “”4” or press F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode.
- If you need to use the Internet, select “5” or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking .
These methods will help you boot into Safe Mode on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, enabling you to troubleshoot and resolve issues with your PC.
Additional Tips
- Exiting Safe Mode: To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your computer. If you used msconfig to get into Safe Mode, make sure to uncheck the
Safe boot
option in the Boot tab. - Accessing Safe Mode When Windows Won’t Boot: If Windows isn’t booting normally, you can force Safe Mode by interrupting the boot process three times (turning the PC off as Windows starts to load). This should trigger the
Automatic Repair
screen, where you can follow similar steps to access Safe Mode.
By following these steps, you can easily boot into Safe Mode in both Windows 10 and 11, allowing you to troubleshoot and fix various issues with your system. Safe Mode is a powerful tool in the hands of users looking to resolve software-related problems efficiently.