Safe Mode is a special diagnostic startup mode integrated in Windows operating systems to help people troubleshoot Windows issues by starting your computer in a clean, barebones fashion with a minimal set of drivers and services.
It’s particularly useful when you have installed a particular driver, service or a program that is messing with Windows integration system files.
You can use this diagnostic tool also when your system is misbehaving, isn’t working correctly, having crashes frequently or when your system is infected with malware.
In this guide, we’ll cover several ways and methods to enter Safe Mode on Windows 10 to detect and fix issues quickly and more efficiently.
Table of Contents
How to Get on Safe Mode on Windows 10
Method 1: Using Advanced Startup in The Settings
We will begin this guide with one of the easiest ways to access the Safe Mode recovery feature on Windows 10. Start by accessing Windows 10 Settings by searching it in the search bar or simply you can press Windows + I on your keyboard.
Once you are in the settings system app navigate to the Update & Security section.
Once you open the Update & Security menu, click on Recovery from the left-hand sidebar.
Once you open Recovery from the left-hand sidebar you can see Under the Advanced startup section an option labeled Restart now. Basically, this restart button is not like the regular one and it’s very special because it grants you access to Windows start-up settings to access Safe Mode. Clicking this will restart your computer and bring up the advanced startup options menu.
Take this as a note. After your PC restarts, you’ll see a blue screen but don’t worry, this menu has several options to choose from. Now, click and choose Troubleshoot and then select Advanced options. Then, Click on Startup Settings. Finally, hit Restart.
Once your PC restarts again, you’ll be presented with a list of startup options to choose from. To enter Safe Mode you have to select a number key corresponding to your desired mode. There are 3 different modes in the Safe Mode feature.
If you need the standard Safe Mode without network functionality and Command Prompt, press number 4. If you need the Safe Mode recovery feature with network functionality, you have to press number 5. If you need the Safe Mode tool integrated with the Command Prompt, you have to press number 6. You can use function keys if you would like to.
This method is ideal if your system still acts normally and responsive and you can access the Settings app without any issues.
Method 2: Using the “Shift + Restart” Shortcut
Yet another quick way to access Safe Mode is by using your keyboard and entering the Shift + Restart shortcut.
First, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard. While holding it you have to click on the Windows 10 Start menu then select Power and choose Restart. Now you can let go of the Shift key on your keyboard.
This method works also if you’re locked on the lock screen. Again, you have to hold the Shift key on your keyboard. Click the Power icon located in the bottom-right corner and then click Restart. You may now let go of the Shift key.
Your computer will restart like the first method and display a blue screen. It’s an option screen with variety to choose from. Now, you have to click and choose the “Troubleshoot” option and then select Advanced options. Then, Click on Startup Settings. Finally, hit Restart.
Again, your PC will restart and you’ll be presented with a list of startup options you can choose from like the previous method. Start-up options don’t change if you change the method to access them. Now, to enter Safe Mode you have to select a number key corresponding to the start-up mode option you need. There are 3 different modes in the Safe Mode feature.
Like I said in the previous method. If you need the standard Safe Mode without network functionality and Command Prompt, press number 4 or F4. If you need the Safe Mode recovery feature with network functionality, you have to press number 5 or F5. If you need the Safe Mode tool integrated with the Command Prompt, you have to press number 6 or F6. Function keys are working as well.
This method is extremely helpful if you can still interact with the Windows 10 Start menu or the Power icon in the lock screen and you’re unable to access the Settings system app. I have some cases when my system is broken and I try to open the Settings app, It shows the settings gear icon with the blue background and then disappears like i never clicked.
Method 3: Using System Configuration (msconfig)
This is an advanced, direct method to boot into Safe Mode using the System Configuration tool commonly known as msconfig.
To enable your system to restart into Start-up settings. First, you have to open the Run dialog box. You can do that by pressing “Windows + R” on your keyboard the type “msconfig” and press “Enter” on your keyboard again.
Now, you will see the System Configuration window. Next, you will have to navigate to the Boot tab where you’ll find an option labeled Safe boot.
Next, check the Safe boot box and choose the specific Safe Mode option you need to fix your issue.
Select Minimal for Standard Safe Mode. Select Network if your fixing method requires internet access. Select Alternate shell if you want to use the Command Prompt as a method to fix your Windows 10 problem.
Active directory repair is not our concern because it is specifically meant for repairing “Active Directory” on a domain controller and that’s beyond what we need.
Once you’ve made your selection, click “Apply” and “OK” to save and apply your changes.
Next, You’ll be prompted to restart your computer for the changes to take effect and to do so you have to click “Restart”. Now, your PC will restart and boot into your selected Safe Mode option.
If you have fixed the specific issue in your Windows 10 system and you need to exit Safe Mode. Open “msconfig” again with the same method, uncheck the “Safe mode” option under the “Boot” tab and restart your computer.
This method keeps your Windows 10 system in Safe Mode until you manually disable it, making it a helpful method if you need to troubleshoot over multiple sessions.
Method 4: Using a Bootable USB Drive
This last method is incredibly useful if your system is completely broken and your computer is unable to boot normally. You can use a bootable Win 10 USB drive to access Safe Mode.
First of all, you’ll need to create a bootable USB drive in another computer. Use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to download a Windows 10 iso installation image and use “Rufus” software to create the bootable drive in an easy way.
Once ready, turn your PC off and insert the USB drive into your PC and turn it on.
As your computer starts up and shows the bios screen, you will see an option called “Boot menu” with a specific key (such as F2, F10, Esc, or Del. etc) depending on your motherboard. Press and select it to enter the “Boot menu” with your specific key.
In the Boot menu, move with your keyboard and select the USB drive as boot device. Now, your PC will boot from the USB. Next, you will be greeted with the Windows setup screen. Select your language preferences and click Next.
On the next screen, choose “Repair your computer” which is kinda small on the left side instead of the “Proceeding with installation” or “Install now” option.
Next, You’ll see the “Choose an option” screen again like all the other methods and from now on the steps and process are the same.
Next, select the “Troubleshoot” option and then select “Advanced options”. Then, Click on Startup Settings. Finally, hit Restart.
Again, your PC will restart and you’ll be presented with a list of startup options you can choose from like all previous methods.
As i said earlier, Start-up options don’t change if you change the method to access them. Now, to enter Safe Mode you have to select a number key corresponding to the start-up mode option you need. There are 3 different modes in the Safe Mode feature.
Like I said in all previous methods. If you need the standard Safe Mode without network functionality and Command Prompt, press number 4 or F4. If you need the Safe Mode recovery feature with network functionality, you have to press number 5 or F5. If you need the Safe Mode tool integrated with the Command Prompt, you have to press number 6 or F6. Function keys are working as well.
What to Do if Safe Mode Doesn’t Work
Check Your Startup Method
- Ensure you’ve followed the correct steps from this guide to access Safe Mode. use the “Shift + Restart” method for an easy way to boot into Safe Mode.
Use Advanced Recovery Options
- Boot into the “Advanced Startup Options” menu using a bootable USB drive or initiate it by forcing three consecutive failed Windows 10 startups. From there you can try “Startup Repair” option or roll back to a previous restore point.
Scan for Corrupted System Files
- If you can access the Command Prompt, run this command “sfc /scannow” or “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” to check and repair corrupted system files.
Update or Reinstall Drivers
- If a faulty driver prevents Safe Mode from working, boot into the “Device Manager” via the Advanced Options menu to update or disable problematic drivers.
Consider Reinstalling Windows
- Unfortunately, If none of the above works, I’m afraid you may need to reset or reinstall Windows 10. Backup your data using a bootable recovery drive before proceeding.
An Extremely Useful Tip Regarding Windows Format
- In the case of Windows, always create two partitions: one for Windows OS and programs only and one for your important files and archive, and if by any means your system breaks you can only format and install a fresh windows on the partition that had windows 10 only and keep your important files from the format.
Conclusion
In this guide I covered multiple ways to access Safe Mode. Safe Mode recovery feature is an essential tool for diagnosing, troubleshooting and fixing issues on Windows 10.
Remember, Safe Mode doesn’t work all the time. If the issue persists you can use Advanced Recovery tools or do a fresh Windows installation to get rid of the issue.
