Safe Mode is helpful for troubleshooting and fixing Windows problems. Here is how to boot into safe mode in Windows 10 and 11 operating systems.
Safe Mode allows you to start the system will the minimal amount of processes and drivers needed. This enables you to perform maintenance and even pinpoint Windows problems. If you don’t find or can’t replicate a problem in Windows Safe Mode, the problem is likely due to non-essential or third-party services, processes, or programs. Additionally, the Safe Mode also allows you to remove problematic drives and applications without any hiccups.
For example, if you’ve just installed a driver and it is causing a BSOD error, you can boot into safe mode and remove that driver safely.
All in all, Windows Safe Mode is a helpful feature, and you should know how to boot into it.
There are various ways you can enter safe mode in Windows. No matter the method, you will get the same result. i.e., boot Safe Mode. To make things easier, I’ve shown five easy ways to boot into Safe Mode. The first three methods are useful if you can normally boot into your system. The last two methods are helpful if you cannot boot into Windows normally.
Follow the method of your choice depending on your use case.
Table of contents:
- Use shift + click to enter Safe Mode
- Boot into Safe Mode from Settings
- Use the MSConfig tool to enter Safe Mode
- Interrupt boot process three times to boot Safe Mode
- Use installation drive to boot into Safe Mode
The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11.
Enter Safe Mode with Shift + Click
You can use the Shift + Click to boot Safe Mode. It is one of the easiest ways to access safe mode in Windows.
To enter safe mode, right-click on the Start menu icon, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and choose “Shut down or sign out > Restart.”
The system will restart and take you to the advanced boot options screen. Here, choose “Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.” Next, press “4” when prompted. This action forces Windows to boot into Safe Mode.
When you are done using the safe mode, restart the system. It will boot normally.
Safe Mode via Settings App
The Settings app provides several options to manage Windows, including resetting and booting Safe Mode. You can use the Advanced Recovery options to enter the Safe Mode via the Settings app. Let me show you how to do it in simple steps.
1. First, open the Settings app. You can either use the “Start + I” shortcut or search for it in the Start menu.
2. On Windows 10, go to “Update & Security -> Recovery” page. Click the “Restart Now” button on the right panel under the Advanced Startup section.
On Windows 11, go to the “Settings > Windows Update > Recovery” page and click “Restart” next to “Advanced Startup.”
3. The above action will restart the system to the advanced startup screen. Here, select the “Troubleshoot” option.
4. Choose the “Advanced Options” option.
5. Now, select the “Start-up Settings” option.
6. Click the “Restart” button.
7. Windows will restart again and show a list of boot options. Press number “4” on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode. The system reboots and enters Safe Mode as soon as you do that.
Safe Mode via MSConfig Tool
Alternatively, you can also use the MSConfig Tool to access Safe Mode in Windows. If necessary, you can also clean boot using the MS Config tool. This method is useful if you want to boot into safe mode multiple times.
1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Next, type “msconfig” and click the “Ok” button to open the MS Config tool.
2. Go to the “Boot” tab in the new window. Select the “Safe Mode” checkbox and click on the “Ok” button.
3. Restart the system normally, and it will boot into Safe Mode.
4. When you are done using the safe mode, simply uncheck the “Safe Mode” checkbox and reboot the system. It will get out of the safe mode. If you don’t do this, the system boots to Safe Mode every time you restart.
Interrupt Boot Process 3 Times
If you cannot boot into Windows, then the easiest way to access the Safe Mode is by interrupting the boot process. Specifically, you have to interrupt the boot process three times. This built-in WindoanismWindows triggers the recovery or advanced startup screen when the boot process is interrupted three times.
When your PC is booting up, simply turn it off, try to boot again, and turn it off. Do this three times, and Windows will show you the advanced recovery screen.
Here, select “Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Start-up settings” and click the “Restart” button. After reboot, press “4” to boot Safe Mode
Boot to Safe Mode via installation USB
If you have a Windows installation drive, you can also use it to access the safe mode.
1. First, insert the Windows installation drive and boot into it.
2. Click on the “Next” button on the installation screen.
3. Select the “Repair your computer” link on the next screen.
4. The above action will open the Advanced Startup page. Here, select “Troubleshoot.“
5. Select the “Command Prompt” option on the Advanced Start page.
6. In the Command Prompt window, execute the below command.
bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal
7. Reboot the system, and it will boot into the safe mode automatically.
Important: When you are done using the safe mode, execute bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot command to turn off the safe mode. Otherwise, the PC will enter safe mode every time you start it.
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That is all. It is that simple to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10 and 11.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
