How to Boot Windows 10 Safe Mode
If do your troubleshooting, then most likely, you have come across Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a built-in feature that disables programs and drivers during startup. This separates system errors and repairs them without applications interfering.
3 Ways to Boot into Windows 10 Safe Mode:
System Configuration
Use the Cortana search bar to get to System Configuration:
- Type either system configuration or msconfig
- Hit enter to open the panel for System Configuration
- Click the “Boot” tab and check Safe Boot box
- Under Safe Boot, there are more options you can choose from. Choose Minimal click Apply then click OK.
- Restart your computer and it will boot into Safe Mode. Be sure to save any active projects or documents before you restart.
Tapping F8
You can tap the F8 key to reach Safe Mode. During startup, the Safe Mode selections will come up. This allows you to choose which operating mode to start in. However, Windows 10 disables Safe Mode by F8 for a faster boot process. You can turn it back on. Use the Command Prompt to enable F8 menu. This will only cost a few seconds more of boot time.
To start you need to open Command Prompt elevated. On the Start menu, Right-click and choose Command Prompt (Admin). In the User Account Control dialogue, click Yes if it pops up.
You should now see Command Prompt. Enter this command:
bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
Hit Enter.
To undo this command, open the Command prompt elevated once again and enter:
bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy standard
This command returns the startup to the state it was originally in.
Advanced Startup
This is a useful way to know. Go to the Settings menu, then over to Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup. Clicking Restart Now will restart your computer in recovery mode. Doing this will bring you to three options:
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Troubleshoot
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Continue
-
Turn off your PC
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options. You will now get several more options. Click Startup Settings then Restart. Your computer now will restart. You will see the Startup Settings screen when rebooting. This is where you choose the function required.
Shortcut
Go to the start menu and click on the power icon. Hold down the Shift key and hit Restart. This reboot option brings you directly to Recovery options. This is where you can choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
***Please keep in mind that many newer computers with UEFI enabled may not be able to use these options. They should instead configure into safe mode through this method:
Windows 10 Safe Mode from USB/DVD Boot
Use a USB flash drive or a DVD installation disc with Windows 10. When the screen pops up, choose the repair option > troubleshooting > advanced options. Then you will want to change the startup options.
Once you restart the computer, there will be a numbered menu with one of the options being to start up in Safe Mode.
Now you should feel at ease booting into Safe Mode with Windows 10 using one of these methods.