Windows 10 Safe Mode loads the operating system with a minimal set of system files and device drivers – just enough to boot the Windows OS. In Safe Mode, the startup programs, add-ons, etc, do not run. We usually boot into Safe Mode, when we need to troubleshoot issues. This post will show you how to enable and start or boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode. There maybe other ways, but we will cover only 2 of the most convenient ways.
Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode
1] Using Advanced Startup OptionsThe easiest way to boot Windows 10 into Safe Mode, would be to press
Shift and then click on Restart. This will reboot your Windows 10 computer into
Advanced Startup Options.
Alternatively, open the
Settings app >
Update & Security >
Recovery. Under Advanced startup, click on
Restart now.
When you follow any of the two methods mentioned, your Windows 10 computer will restart, and you will see the following screen.
Click on Troubleshoot to proceed.
Now follow the steps laid down in
Advanced Startup options in Windows 10. It will take you through the entire process starting with – Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart > Press No 4 key.
If you have followed the procedure correctly, you will finally reach
Startup Settings screen, from where you will be able to enable Safe Mode.
Press the ‘4’ key and your computer will restart and enter
Safe Mode. To reboot in
Safe Mode with Networking, press ‘5’ key. To reboot in
Safe Mode with Command Prompt, press the ‘6’ key.
You will see a black desktop with a Safe Mode watermark in the bottom left and right sides.
2] Using System Configuration UtilityThe other simple way, of course is by using the built-in
System Configuration Utility. From the
Win+X Menu, open Run box, type
msconfig and hit
Enter.
Under the
Boot tab check the
Safe boot and
Minimal options. Click
Apply/OK and
exit. On restart, your computer will enter Safe Mode directly.
You can now work in the Safe Mode.
Before you exit,
remember to open msconfig and
uncheck the Safe boot checkbox, click
Apply/OK and then on
Restart, so that on reboot, you computer will not again boot in safe mode – but instead will boot to your desktop.
twc