How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode of Windows that allows you to troubleshoot problems with your PC. In safe mode, only the essential drivers and services are loaded, so you can isolate and fix issues caused by malware, corrupted files, or faulty hardware. This article will show you how to start Windows 10 in safe mode using different methods, depending on your situation.

What is Safe Mode and When to Use It

Safe mode is a special mode of Windows that runs with minimal settings and functionality. It is designed to help you identify and resolve problems that prevent your PC from working normally. Some common scenarios where you might need to use safe mode are:

• Your PC is infected with malware that interferes with your antivirus software or prevents you from booting into Windows.
• Your PC is experiencing performance issues, crashes, or blue screens that are caused by faulty drivers, software, or hardware.
• You need to uninstall or update a program or driver that is causing problems with your PC.
• You need to perform a system restore, reset, or recovery.

There are two types of safe mode in Windows 10: Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking. The difference is that the latter also enables network drivers and services, so you can access the internet or other network resources. This can be useful if you need to download updates, drivers, or antivirus software to fix your PC.

How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode from Settings

If you can access the Windows 10 settings, you can use the following steps to start Windows 10 in safe mode from there:

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Click Update & Security and then Recovery.
3. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
4. After your PC restarts, you will see a screen with several options. Choose Troubleshoot.
5. Then, choose Advanced options and then Startup Settings.
6. Click Restart and wait for your PC to reboot again.
7. On the Startup Settings screen, press the number key that corresponds to the safe mode option you want to use. For example, press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
8. Your PC will now start in safe mode.

How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode from the Sign-in Screen

If you can’t access the Windows 10 settings, but you can reach the sign-in screen, you can use the following steps to start Windows 10 in safe mode from there:

1. On the sign-in screen, press and hold the Shift key and click the Power icon at the bottom right corner.
2. Select Restart and wait for your PC to reboot.
3. After your PC restarts, you will see a screen with several options. Choose Troubleshoot.
4. Then, choose Advanced options and then Startup Settings.
5. Click Restart and wait for your PC to reboot again.
6. On the Startup Settings screen, press the number key that corresponds to the safe mode option you want to use. For example, press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
7. Your PC will now start in safe mode.

How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode from a Black or Blank Screen

If you can’t access the Windows 10 settings or the sign-in screen, but your PC still turns on, you can use the following steps to start Windows 10 in safe mode from a black or blank screen:

1. Press the Power button on your PC to turn it off.
2. Wait for a few seconds and then press the Power button again to turn it on.
3. As soon as you see the Windows logo or hear the startup sound, press and hold the Power button again to turn it off.
4. Repeat this process two more times, until you see a message that says Preparing Automatic Repair.
5. Wait for Windows to diagnose your PC and then choose Advanced options.
6. Then, choose Troubleshoot and then Advanced options and then Startup Settings.
7. Click Restart and wait for your PC to reboot again.
8. On the Startup Settings screen, press the number key that corresponds to the safe mode option you want to use. For example, press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
9. Your PC will now start in safe mode.

How to Exit Safe Mode in Windows 10

To exit safe mode in Windows 10, you can simply restart your PC normally. To do this, click the Start button and select Power and then Restart. Your PC will boot into normal mode.

Alternatively, you can use the System Configuration tool to disable safe mode. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and click OK.
3. In the System Configuration window, click the Boot tab.
4. Under Boot options, uncheck the box that says Safe boot.
5. Click OK and then Restart.
6. Your PC will boot into normal mode.

Conclusion

Safe mode is a useful feature of Windows 10 that can help you troubleshoot and fix various problems with your PC. You can start Windows 10 in safe mode using different methods, depending on your situation. To exit safe mode, you can simply restart your PC normally or use the System Configuration tool to disable safe boot.

We hope this article has helped you learn how to start Windows 10 in safe mode. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.