h1 How to Exit Safe Mode in Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide h1
Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in Windows 10 that starts your computer with a limited set of files and drivers. It’s designed to help you troubleshoot problems, such as driver conflicts, malware infections, or system errors, that prevent Windows from starting normally. While Safe Mode is incredibly useful for diagnosing and resolving issues, you’ll eventually need to exit it to return to your regular Windows environment. This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps and instructions on how to exit Safe Mode in Windows 10, covering various methods and troubleshooting tips to ensure a smooth transition back to normal operation.
Understanding Safe Mode
Before diving into the methods for exiting Safe Mode, it’s crucial to understand why you might be in Safe Mode in the first place. Common reasons include:
* **Troubleshooting:** You entered Safe Mode to diagnose and fix a problem, such as a driver issue or a software conflict.
* **System Errors:** Windows automatically booted into Safe Mode due to a critical system error or crash.
* **Driver Issues:** A faulty or incompatible driver is preventing Windows from starting normally.
* **Malware Infection:** You suspect a malware infection is interfering with the normal boot process.
Once you’ve addressed the underlying issue that led you to Safe Mode (if any), you’ll want to exit and return to your standard Windows environment.
Method 1: Restarting Your Computer
The simplest and most common way to exit Safe Mode is to restart your computer. This usually works if you manually entered Safe Mode for troubleshooting and haven’t made any permanent changes to your system configuration.
Steps:
1. **Save Your Work:** Before restarting, save any open documents or data to prevent data loss.
2. **Open the Start Menu:** Click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your screen, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
3. **Click the Power Icon:** In the Start Menu, click the Power icon (it usually looks like a circle with a vertical line at the top).
4. **Select Restart:** From the power options, choose “Restart.”
5. **Wait for the Restart:** Your computer will shut down and automatically restart. During the restart process, Windows should boot normally and exit Safe Mode.
If this method doesn’t work, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Using System Configuration (Msconfig)
The System Configuration utility (Msconfig) allows you to control how Windows starts. It can be used to disable Safe Mode boot options, ensuring that Windows starts normally on the next boot.
Steps:
1. **Open the Run Dialog Box:** Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard simultaneously. This will open the Run dialog box.
2. **Type “msconfig” and Press Enter:** In the Run dialog box, type “msconfig” (without the quotes) and press Enter, or click “OK.” This will open the System Configuration utility.
3. **Navigate to the Boot Tab:** In the System Configuration window, click on the “Boot” tab.
4. **Uncheck the “Safe boot” Option:** Under the “Boot options” section, find the “Safe boot” checkbox. If it’s checked, uncheck it. This disables the Safe Mode boot option.
5. **Apply and OK:** Click the “Apply” button, then click the “OK” button to save the changes.
6. **Restart Your Computer:** A dialog box will appear asking if you want to restart your computer. Click “Restart” to reboot your system. Windows should now start in normal mode.
If you encounter issues, double-check that you unchecked the correct “Safe boot” option and that you applied the changes before restarting.
Method 3: Using Command Prompt (Admin)
Command Prompt, with administrator privileges, provides a powerful way to modify system settings, including boot configurations. This method is particularly useful if you’re comfortable using command-line tools.
Steps:
1. **Open Command Prompt as Administrator:**
* Click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your screen.
* Type “cmd” (without the quotes) in the search bar.
* Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results.
* Select “Run as administrator.” You may be prompted to enter an administrator password or confirm the action.
2. **Enter the Boot Configuration Command:** In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
`bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot`
This command deletes the Safe Mode boot configuration for the current operating system.
3. **Verify the Command Execution:** If the command is successful, you should see a message that says “The operation completed successfully.”
4. **Restart Your Computer:** Close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer. Windows should now start in normal mode.
If you receive an error message, double-check that you typed the command correctly, including the spaces and curly braces. Also, ensure that you are running Command Prompt as an administrator.
Method 4: System Restore (If Safe Mode with Command Prompt is Accessible)
If you’re stuck in Safe Mode and suspect a recent system change, such as a driver installation or software update, is the cause, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous working state. This method requires that you can access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Steps:
1. **Boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt:** Refer to instructions on how to boot into safe mode with command prompt if necessary. Usually, repeatedly pressing F8, Shift+F8, or other designated keys during startup may allow access to advanced boot options where Safe Mode with Command Prompt can be selected.
2. **Open Command Prompt as Administrator:** As described in Method 3, open Command Prompt as an administrator within Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
3. **Start System Restore:** In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
`rstrui.exe`
This command launches the System Restore utility.
4. **Follow the System Restore Wizard:**
* The System Restore wizard will guide you through the process.
* Choose a restore point from the list of available restore points. Select a restore point that was created before the issue that caused you to enter Safe Mode.
* Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the System Restore process. System Restore will revert your system files and settings to the state they were in at the time the selected restore point was created.
5. **Restart Your Computer:** After System Restore is complete, your computer will restart automatically. Windows should now start in normal mode.
Important Notes about System Restore:
* System Restore does not affect your personal files, such as documents, pictures, and music.
* However, it will remove any programs or updates that were installed after the selected restore point was created. You may need to reinstall these programs or updates after System Restore is complete.
* If System Restore fails, you can try a different restore point or explore other troubleshooting options.
Method 5: Reset This PC (As a Last Resort)
If all other methods fail, you can try resetting your PC. This option allows you to either keep your personal files or remove everything and reinstall Windows. It’s a more drastic measure, so use it only as a last resort.
Important Considerations Before Resetting Your PC:
* **Backup Your Data:** Before resetting your PC, back up all your important data to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage service. Resetting your PC can potentially erase your data, so it’s crucial to have a backup.
* **Choose the Right Option:** When resetting your PC, you’ll be presented with two options:
* **Keep my files:** This option removes apps and settings, but keeps your personal files.
* **Remove everything:** This option removes all your personal files, apps, and settings, and reinstalls Windows. Choose this option only if you’re willing to erase everything on your hard drive.
* **You may need installation media:** Depending on your system’s configuration and the chosen reset option, you might need Windows installation media (USB drive or DVD) to complete the process. Ensure you have this available if prompted.
Steps to Reset Your PC (Assuming You Can Access Settings in Safe Mode):
1. **Open Settings:** Click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your screen, and then click the gear-shaped icon to open the Settings app.
2. **Go to Update & Security:** In the Settings app, click on “Update & Security.”
3. **Select Recovery:** In the left-hand menu, click on “Recovery.”
4. **Click “Get started” Under “Reset this PC”:** Under the “Reset this PC” section, click the “Get started” button.
5. **Choose an Option:** Select either “Keep my files” or “Remove everything,” depending on your preference.
6. **Follow the On-Screen Instructions:** The Reset this PC wizard will guide you through the remaining steps. Be sure to read each screen carefully and follow the instructions provided.
7. **Wait for the Reset to Complete:** The reset process can take a significant amount of time, depending on the chosen option and the speed of your computer. Be patient and allow the process to complete without interruption.
If you cannot access Settings in Safe Mode, you may need to perform a reset from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This can usually be accessed by repeatedly interrupting the boot process (e.g., turning the computer on and off several times during startup).
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some additional troubleshooting tips to help you exit Safe Mode:
* **Check for Driver Issues:** If you suspect a driver issue is causing the problem, try updating or uninstalling recently installed drivers. You can do this in Safe Mode by accessing Device Manager.
* **Scan for Malware:** Run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus program to check for and remove any malware infections. Malware can sometimes interfere with the normal boot process and cause Windows to start in Safe Mode.
* **Check Your Hardware:** If you’re experiencing hardware problems, such as a failing hard drive or faulty memory, this can also cause Windows to start in Safe Mode. Run hardware diagnostics to check for any hardware issues.
* **Boot into Clean Boot State:** A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help you identify if a third-party program or service is causing the issue. To perform a clean boot, type `msconfig` in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R), go to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services”, click “Disable all”, then go to the Startup tab and click “Open Task Manager”. Disable all startup items in Task Manager, then restart your computer.
* **System File Checker (SFC):** Run the System File Checker tool to scan for and repair corrupted system files. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter. This will scan the integrity of all protected operating system files and replace incorrect, corrupted, changed, or damaged versions with the correct versions where possible.
* **Check Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI:** Ensure that your hard drive or SSD is set as the primary boot device in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings. Incorrect boot order can sometimes cause Windows to fail to start normally.
* **Look for Recent Changes:** Think about any recent changes you’ve made to your system, such as installing new software, updating drivers, or changing system settings. Try reverting these changes to see if it resolves the issue.
Preventing Future Safe Mode Issues
While Safe Mode is a valuable tool for troubleshooting, it’s best to avoid entering it unnecessarily. Here are some tips to help prevent future Safe Mode issues:
* **Keep Your Drivers Up to Date:** Regularly update your drivers to ensure compatibility and stability. Use Windows Update or download drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
* **Install Software from Trusted Sources:** Only install software from reputable sources to avoid malware and other potentially harmful programs.
* **Be Careful When Making System Changes:** Avoid making unnecessary changes to your system settings, especially if you’re not familiar with what they do.
* **Regularly Back Up Your Data:** Back up your important data regularly to protect against data loss in case of a system failure.
* **Use a Reputable Antivirus Program:** Use a reputable antivirus program to protect your system from malware infections.
Conclusion
Exiting Safe Mode in Windows 10 is usually a straightforward process, but sometimes it can be more challenging. By following the steps and troubleshooting tips outlined in this guide, you should be able to successfully exit Safe Mode and return to your normal Windows environment. Remember to address the underlying issue that caused you to enter Safe Mode in the first place to prevent it from happening again. If you continue to experience problems, consider seeking help from a qualified computer technician or contacting Microsoft support.