How to Start Windows 10/11 in Safe Mode: A Comprehensive Guide

Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in Windows operating systems that starts your computer with only essential drivers and services. It’s a crucial tool for troubleshooting a variety of problems, from driver conflicts and malware infections to system instability and software errors. By booting into Safe Mode, you can isolate the cause of the issue, as any problems that disappear in Safe Mode are likely related to third-party software, drivers, or settings. This comprehensive guide will walk you through several methods for starting Windows 10 or Windows 11 in Safe Mode, providing detailed steps and explanations for each approach. We’ll cover everything from using the Settings app and System Configuration tool to utilizing the Recovery Environment and Command Prompt.

Why Use Safe Mode?

Before diving into the methods, let’s understand why Safe Mode is such a valuable troubleshooting tool:

* **Isolate Problems:** Safe Mode loads only the core components of Windows. If a problem disappears in Safe Mode, you know it’s likely caused by a third-party application, driver, or setting.
* **Remove Malware:** Some malware can prevent your computer from starting normally. Safe Mode can allow you to run antivirus software and remove the infection.
* **Fix Driver Conflicts:** Faulty or incompatible drivers can cause system crashes and instability. Safe Mode lets you disable or update problematic drivers.
* **Troubleshoot Startup Issues:** If your computer is constantly crashing during startup, Safe Mode can provide a stable environment to diagnose the problem.
* **Undo Problematic Changes:** If you recently installed new software or made system changes that are causing issues, Safe Mode can help you revert them.

Methods for Starting in Safe Mode

There are several ways to boot your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer into Safe Mode. We’ll cover the most common and reliable methods:

Method 1: Using the Settings App (Shift + Restart)

This is the most straightforward method when your computer is still able to boot into Windows, even if it’s experiencing issues.

**Steps:**

1. **Save your work:** Close all open applications and save any unsaved data. You’ll be restarting your computer.
2. **Open the Settings app:** Click the Start button and then click the Settings icon (gear icon), or press the Windows key + I.
3. **Navigate to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System (Windows 11):**
* **Windows 10:** Click on “Update & Security”.
* **Windows 11:** Click on “System” in the left-hand pane.
4. **Select Recovery:**
* **Windows 10:** In the left-hand menu, click on “Recovery”.
* **Windows 11:** Scroll down and click on “Recovery”.
5. **Advanced startup:** Under the “Advanced startup” section, click the “Restart now” button.
6. **Choose an option:** After your computer restarts, you’ll see a blue screen with several options. Click on “Troubleshoot”.
7. **Advanced options:** On the Troubleshoot screen, click on “Advanced options”.
8. **Startup Settings:** On the Advanced options screen, click on “Startup Settings”. If you don’t see “Startup Settings,” click “See more recovery options” or “UEFI Firmware Settings” if that is available and then look for the “Startup Settings” option. Note that the Startup Settings option may not be available on some systems with specific configurations.
9. **Restart:** Click the “Restart” button. Your computer will restart again and display a menu of startup options.
10. **Select Safe Mode:** Press the number key (usually 4, 5, or 6) that corresponds to the Safe Mode option you want:
* **4) Enable Safe Mode:** Starts Windows in Safe Mode with minimal drivers and services.
* **5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking:** Starts Windows in Safe Mode with network support, allowing you to access the internet and your local network. This is useful for downloading drivers or running online virus scans.
* **6) Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt:** Starts Windows in Safe Mode with a command prompt window instead of the graphical user interface. This is useful for advanced troubleshooting and running command-line utilities.

Your computer will now boot into Safe Mode according to the option you selected.

Method 2: Using System Configuration (msconfig)

The System Configuration tool (msconfig) is another way to boot into Safe Mode. This method is also useful when you can still access Windows.

**Steps:**

1. **Save your work:** Close all open applications and save any unsaved data.
2. **Open System Configuration:** Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type `msconfig` and press Enter.
3. **Boot tab:** In the System Configuration window, click on the “Boot” tab.
4. **Safe boot:** Under the “Boot options” section, check the box next to “Safe boot”.
5. **Select Safe Mode type:** Choose the type of Safe Mode you want to use:
* **Minimal:** Starts Windows in Safe Mode with minimal drivers and services (equivalent to option 4 in the Startup Settings menu).
* **Alternate shell:** Starts Windows in Safe Mode with a command prompt window (equivalent to option 6 in the Startup Settings menu).
* **Network:** Starts Windows in Safe Mode with network support (equivalent to option 5 in the Startup Settings menu).
* **Active Directory repair:** This option is generally used in domain environments to repair Active Directory issues. For most home users, this option isn’t relevant.
6. **Apply and OK:** Click “Apply” and then “OK”.
7. **Restart:** You’ll be prompted to restart your computer. Click “Restart”.

Your computer will now boot into Safe Mode based on the option you selected in msconfig.

**Important:** After you’ve finished troubleshooting in Safe Mode, you’ll need to uncheck the “Safe boot” option in msconfig and restart your computer normally. Otherwise, it will continue to boot into Safe Mode every time.

Method 3: Using the Recovery Environment (Automatic Repair Loop)

This method is particularly useful when your computer is stuck in a boot loop or won’t start normally.

**Steps:**

1. **Interrupt the startup process:** Power on your computer. As soon as you see the Windows logo, press and hold the power button to force a shutdown. Repeat this process two or three times. Windows should then automatically boot into the Recovery Environment.
2. **Automatic Repair screen:** After the forced shutdowns, you should see a screen that says “Preparing Automatic Repair” or “Diagnosing your PC”. Eventually, you’ll be presented with the Automatic Repair screen.
3. **Advanced options:** On the Automatic Repair screen, click on “Advanced options”.
4. **Choose an option:** You’ll be presented with the “Choose an option” screen. Click on “Troubleshoot”.
5. **Advanced options:** On the Troubleshoot screen, click on “Advanced options”.
6. **Startup Settings:** On the Advanced options screen, click on “Startup Settings”.
7. **Restart:** Click the “Restart” button. Your computer will restart and display the Startup Settings menu.
8. **Select Safe Mode:** Press the number key (4, 5, or 6) that corresponds to the Safe Mode option you want.

Your computer will now boot into Safe Mode.

Method 4: Using Installation Media (USB or DVD)

If your computer is severely damaged and you can’t access the Recovery Environment, you can use Windows installation media (a USB drive or DVD) to boot into Safe Mode.

**Prerequisites:**

* You’ll need a bootable Windows installation media (USB drive or DVD). If you don’t have one, you can create one using the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft on another working computer. Make sure you create the installation media for the same version of Windows that is installed on the computer you are trying to repair.
* You may need to change the boot order in your BIOS/UEFI settings to boot from the USB drive or DVD. Consult your computer’s manual or manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to access and modify the BIOS/UEFI settings.

**Steps:**

1. **Boot from installation media:** Insert the Windows installation media into your computer and turn it on. Access the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key during startup (usually Del, F2, F12, Esc, or another key – consult your computer’s documentation). Select your USB drive or DVD drive from the boot menu.
2. **Windows Setup:** Your computer will boot from the installation media and display the Windows Setup screen. Select your language, time, and keyboard settings, and then click “Next”.
3. **Repair your computer:** On the next screen, click on “Repair your computer” (usually located in the lower-left corner).
4. **Choose an option:** You’ll be presented with the “Choose an option” screen. Click on “Troubleshoot”.
5. **Advanced options:** On the Troubleshoot screen, click on “Advanced options”.
6. **Command Prompt:** On the Advanced options screen, click on “Command Prompt”.
7. **Identify the Windows drive:** In the Command Prompt window, you need to identify the drive letter where Windows is installed. It might not be C: in the Recovery Environment. Try the following commands:
* `diskpart`
* `list volume`
* `exit`
Look for the drive letter that corresponds to the volume labeled “Windows”. Let’s assume it’s D: for this example. Replace D: with the correct drive letter if it’s different on your system.
8. **Enable Safe Mode using bcdedit:** Type the following command in the Command Prompt and press Enter:
* `bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /set {default} safeboot minimal` (for Safe Mode with minimal drivers)
* `bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /set {default} safeboot network` (for Safe Mode with Networking)
* `bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /set {default} safeboot alternateshell` (for Safe Mode with Command Prompt)
**Important:** Replace `D:\boot\bcd` with the correct path to the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) store if your Windows installation is on a different drive. If your drive letter is C: then the command would be `bcdedit /store C:\boot\bcd /set {default} safeboot minimal`
9. **Close Command Prompt:** Type `exit` and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
10. **Continue:** On the “Choose an option” screen, click on “Continue”. Your computer will restart and boot into Safe Mode.

**Disabling Safe Mode After Using Installation Media:**

To disable Safe Mode after booting with installation media, you’ll need to boot back into the Recovery Environment using the installation media again. Follow steps 1-7 as described above. Then, in the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

* `bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /deletevalue {default} safeboot`

Replace `D:\boot\bcd` with the correct path to the BCD store if needed. Close the Command Prompt and click “Continue” to restart your computer normally.

Method 5: Using a Dedicated Bootable Recovery Tool (Advanced Users)

For advanced users who frequently need to troubleshoot Windows systems, creating a dedicated bootable recovery tool like a WinPE-based environment with utilities like dism, sfc, and registry editors can be incredibly helpful. These tools often include features that allow you to directly modify the boot configuration and enable Safe Mode without needing installation media. The process of creating these tools is beyond the scope of this basic guide but there are many tutorials online.

What to Do in Safe Mode

Once you’ve successfully booted into Safe Mode, you can start troubleshooting the problem you’re experiencing. Here are some common troubleshooting steps:

* **Run a virus scan:** Use your antivirus software to scan your entire system for malware.
* **Update or roll back drivers:** Use Device Manager to update or roll back any drivers that might be causing problems. Pay particular attention to display drivers, network adapters, and any hardware devices that you recently installed or updated drivers for. To access Device Manager, right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager”.
* **Uninstall problematic software:** Uninstall any recently installed software that you suspect might be causing the issue.
* **Run System File Checker (SFC):** Open a Command Prompt as administrator and run the command `sfc /scannow` to scan for and repair corrupted system files.
* **Check the Event Viewer:** Look for error messages or warnings in the Event Viewer that might provide clues about the cause of the problem. You can access Event Viewer by searching for it in the Start menu.
* **Perform a System Restore:** If you have a system restore point available, you can restore your computer to a previous state when it was working correctly. However, be aware that any software installed after the restore point will be removed.

Exiting Safe Mode

Once you’ve finished troubleshooting in Safe Mode, you’ll need to restart your computer to boot back into normal mode. If you used the Settings app or the Recovery Environment to enter Safe Mode, simply restart your computer. If you used msconfig or the Command Prompt, you’ll need to disable Safe Mode before restarting:

* **msconfig:** Open msconfig, go to the Boot tab, uncheck the “Safe boot” option, click Apply, and then click OK. Restart your computer.
* **Command Prompt (using installation media):** Boot from your installation media, open Command Prompt, identify the Windows drive, and run the command `bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /deletevalue {default} safeboot` (replace `D:\boot\bcd` with the correct path if needed). Then, exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Troubleshooting Safe Mode Problems

Sometimes, you might encounter problems when trying to boot into Safe Mode. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

* **Computer gets stuck on the loading screen:** This can happen if there’s a problem with a critical system file or driver. Try booting into Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode with Command Prompt and running System File Checker (sfc /scannow) or checking the Event Viewer for errors.
* **Safe Mode doesn’t fix the problem:** If the problem persists in Safe Mode, it’s likely caused by a hardware issue or a problem with the core Windows operating system. You may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting steps, such as reinstalling Windows.
* **Can’t access the Recovery Environment:** If you can’t access the Recovery Environment using the forced shutdown method, try using Windows installation media to boot into the Recovery Environment.
* **Forgot the Safe Mode password:** If you set a password for your user account and forgot it, you’ll need to reset the password using a password reset disk or another administrator account.

Conclusion

Safe Mode is an invaluable tool for diagnosing and resolving a wide range of Windows problems. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully boot your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer into Safe Mode and begin troubleshooting the issues you’re experiencing. Remember to carefully consider the type of Safe Mode that’s most appropriate for your situation and to always disable Safe Mode after you’ve finished troubleshooting. With a little patience and persistence, you can often resolve even the most challenging Windows problems using Safe Mode.

This guide provides comprehensive information and should help users of all technical skill levels successfully use Safe Mode. Remember to always back up your important data before making any significant changes to your system. Good luck with your troubleshooting!