Until Windows 7, users could access Safe Mode while the system is booting by tapping the F8 button. However, modern Windows does not support this feature anymore. For this reason, we have discussed 7 different ways to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10 and 11.
How to Start Windows in Safe Mode
Using Shift + Restart
One way to enter Safe Mode is by holding down the Shift key on your keyboard, and then clicking Restart from the Power Menu in the Start Menu. Keep holding down the Shift key until the OS reboots.
How to Start Windows in Safe Mode Using Shift + Restart Through System Configuration From the Settings App By Forcefully Restarting Using Bootable Media Using Command Prompt Using Recovery Drive Closing Words
Alternatively, you can also boot into Safe Mode from the lock screen using the same technique. Once the system reboots, you can let go of the Shift key from your keyboard. Your system will now reboot and present the recovery options. From there, follow the steps below to boot into Safe Mode: The computer will now boot into Safe Mode. Once you are done with your work, simply reboot the computer and it will then boot into the OS normally and exit Safe Mode.
Through System Configuration
System Configuration is a tiny tool in Windows that allows you to manage services and startup apps at the time of Windows boot. Using this utility, you can reboot your computer into Safe Mode. To start Windows in Safe Mode, follow the steps below: Your computer will now reboot into Safe Mode.
From the Settings App
Another convenient way to boot into Safe Mode is through the Recovery Options in the Settings app in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The computer will now boot into Safe Mode. Once you are done with your work, simply reboot the computer and it will then boot into the OS normally and exit Safe Mode.
By Forcefully Restarting
When Windows fails to run successfully 3 times in a row, it automatically boots into “Automatic Repair” mode for the 4th time. You can forcefully restart your PC 4 times to trigger this mode, then boot into Safe Mode. Here is how: The computer will now boot into Safe Mode. Once you are done with your work, simply reboot the computer and it will then boot into the OS normally and exit Safe Mode.
Using Bootable Media
If you have bootable media (Bootable flash drive, CD, ISO image) for the operating system, you can attach/mount it to your PC and then use it to boot into Safe Mode. Follow the steps below to do so: Make a multiboot USB flash drive using Ventoy. The computer will now boot into the selected Safe Mode type. However, a simple restart will not get you to exit safe mode. If you want to exit safe mode, open System Configuration by typing in msconfig in Run, then shift to the Boot tab. From there, uncheck the box next to “Safe boot” and then click Apply and Ok. In the confirmation box, click Restart. The computer will then reboot into Windows as it normally should.
Using Command Prompt
You can also boot into Safe Mode using the Command Prompt. Follow the steps below to do so: The computer will now boot into Safe Mode. Once you are done with your work, simply reboot the computer and it will then boot into the OS normally and exit Safe Mode.
Using Recovery Drive
If you have created a recovery drive for your operating system, then it can be used to boot Windows into Safe Mode as well. Here is how: The computer will now boot into the selected Safe Mode type. However, a simple restart will not get you to exit safe mode. If you want to exit safe mode, open System Configuration by typing in msconfig in Run, then shift to the Boot tab. From there, uncheck the box next to “Safe boot” and then click Apply and Ok. In the confirmation box, click Restart. The computer will then reboot into Windows as it normally should.
Closing Words
Windows provides several ways to boot into Safe Mode, so that you can troubleshoot your operating system. Each of the methods we have given in this post can be helpful for different situations. Choose the one that suits your circumstances. That being said, we again emphasize that it is in your best interest to create a restore point before booting into Safe Mode, as incorrect troubleshooting techniques could permanently damage the OS.
