How to Start Windows in Safe Mode: 6 Easy Options

Windows Safe Mode is an excellent tool for troubleshooting, as it prevents startup programs from running and loads only the bare minimum software and drivers. Whether you want to boot in Safe Mode to scan for and remove malware, uninstall problematic apps, or troubleshoot other software problems, this wikiHow guide will teach you all the ways you can start any version of Windows in Safe Mode.

Quick Steps

Press the Windows key and click Settings.
Click Update & Security (Windows 10) or System (Windows 11).
Click Restart Now.
Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
Click Restart.
Select 4 to boot in Safe Mode, or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

From Windows Settings (Windows 10 & 11)

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Open your Windows Settings. To do this, press the Windows key on your keyboard (or click the Start menu), then click Settings.
- You can also open Settings by pressing Windows key + i at the same time.
- If you use BitLocker, consider disabling it before booting into Safe Mode. If you do not suspend BitLocker protection, then you will be asked for your recovery key to continue booting into Safe Mode.^{[1]
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You'll see this option under "Advanced startup." Your Windows PC will now reboot to a blue screen.
Additional options will appear.
This opens several options for booting and repairing Windows.
It's the option with a gear icon.
Windows will now reboot to a list of Safe Mode options.
8
Select a Safe Mode option. If you want to use Safe Mode without an internet connection, select 4 or press the F4 key on your keyboard. If you need internet access in Safe Mode, select 5 or press F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.^{[2]
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- To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

From the Login Screen (Windows 11, 10, & 8)

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Reboot your PC to the login screen. If you want to boot into Safe Mode without logging in to Windows first, you can do so from the login screen. If your computer is frozen, press and hold the power button to reboot it to the login screen.
- Note that if you use BitLocker, you will be prompted for your recovery key to restart into Safe Mode.^{[3]
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This icon, which is in the bottom-right corner of the screen, looks like a circle with a line through its top.
3
Hold down ⇧ Shift as you click Restart. This will restart your computer and open the Advanced Options page.
- You may need to click Restart anyway after clicking Restart. If so, keep holding ⇧ Shift while you do.
It should be the middle option on the Advanced Options page, which is a light-blue screen with white text.^{[4]
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It's the bottom option on this page.^{[5]
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This option is on the right side of the page, just below the Command Prompt option.^{[6]
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It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Clicking it will restart your computer to the Startup Settings menu.^{[7]
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8
Select a Safe Mode option. If you want to use Safe Mode without an internet connection, select 4 or press the F4 key on your keyboard. If you need internet access in Safe Mode, select 5 or press F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.^{[8]
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- To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

From a Blank Screen (Windows 11 & 10)

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Hold down the Power button for about 10 seconds. If your computer is unresponsive, you can boot into Safe Mode from a blank screen. Your computer will shut down.^{[9]
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- This is helpful if you're stuck on a screen and need to troubleshoot your computer. Turning your computer on and off repeatedly will get you into a Safe Mode.
Pressing this again will prompt your computer to turn on.
You can prompt your computer to turn off as soon as you see the startup logo.
This will turn your computer back on.
You can prompt your computer to turn off as soon as you see the startup logo.
This will turn your computer back on in winRE (Windows Recovery Environment).
The Troubleshoot tile is the last option in the list next to an icon of some tools. Once you click that, you'll need to click Advanced Options to see more.^{[10]
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8
Click Startup Settings and Restart. Your computer will restart and show you a blue screen with more options.
- If you use BitLocker, you will be prompted for your recovery key to restart into Safe Mode.^{[11]
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9
Select a Safe Mode option. If you want to use Safe Mode without an internet connection, select 4 or press the F4 key on your keyboard. If you need internet access in Safe Mode, select 5 or press F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.^{[12]
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- To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

From the Charm Bar (Windows 8)

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To do this, press Windows key + i, or swipe your mouse across the right side of your desktop.^{[13]
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This opens the Power menu.
This reboots your PC into the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Additional options will appear.
This opens several options for booting and repairing Windows.
It's the option with a gear icon.
Windows will now reboot to a list of Safe Mode options.
8
Select a Safe Mode option. If you want to use Safe Mode without an internet connection, select 4 or press the F4 key on your keyboard. If you need internet access in Safe Mode, select 5 or press F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.^{[14]
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- To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Using a Startup Key (Windows 7)

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It's in the top row of keys on your computer's keyboard. To access the Safe Mode option in Windows 7, you'll have to press F8 while restarting your computer.
2
Turn on or restart your computer. Do so by pressing your computer's power button. If your computer is already on but malfunctioning, first press and hold the power button to turn it off, then press it again to turn it back on.
- You can also restart your computer by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, clicking the power icon, and clicking Restart.
3
Repeatedly press F8 when your computer restarts. Do so immediately after your computer begins to turn on. This action will launch the boot menu, which is a black screen with white text.^{[15]
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- The goal here is to press F8 before you see the "Starting Windows" screen.
- If nothing happens while pressing F8, you may need to hold the Fn key while pressing F8.
This key should be on the right side of your keyboard. When "Safe Mode" has a white bar over it, you've successfully selected it.^{[16]
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Doing so will both select Safe Mode as your restart option and continue the start-up process.^{[17]
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Wait for your computer to finish restarting. Once it finishes restarting, your computer will be in Safe Mode.
- To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Always Boot Into Safe Mode

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Open the System Configuration panel in Windows. If you want to make your computer boot into Safe Mode automatically each time you restart, you can do so using this tool. To open it:
- Press the Windows key.
- Type msconfig and press Enter.
You'll see it at the top of the window.
This is under "Boot options" in the bottom-left corner.
4
Click Apply and then Restart. This saves your changes and reboots your Windows PC into Safe Mode.
- When you're ready for your computer to boot normally again, just return to the System Configuration panel, remove the checkmark from "Safe boot," and restart your PC.

Community Q&A

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Question

My PC audio didn't work after I did safe mode. Why?

Community Answer

In safe mode, Windows will only boot with core drivers. Your audio may have not booted up in safe mode.

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Question

What is safe mode and how does it work?

Community Answer

Safe mode is a stripped down version of Windows. Most people use it to remove viruses. For example, if a virus locked your computer, you could start it up in safe mode to safely remove the virus.

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Question

What should I do if my hard drive is corrupted and cannot open even in safe mode?

Community Answer

You need to use a bootable disk or storage stick with emergency startup and repair software.

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