Windows 10 Safe Mode is a form of Microsoft's operating system reduced to its most essential functions. In the event of critical system or hardware errors , this mode maintains the features of Windows 10, making it much easier to diagnose and repair errors (automatically) . In addition, it works even on systems where Windows 10 has not worked properly for a long time..
When starting Windows 10 in safe mode, only some standard drivers are activated and frequently used programs do not start automatically. Users can, among others, choose between starting Windows 10 in minimal safe mode or in safe mode with network drivers. The latter allows access to the Internet and other computers on the network, for example, to download other drivers or antivirus programs.
In Windows 10 Safe Mode, the main actions allowed are those that can be used to recover the entire system, such as running antivirus programs, uninstalling recently installed suspicious software, or disabling certain device drivers. Booting Windows 10 in safe mode ensures that standard device drivers and default operating system settings will work..
There are three methods to start Windows 10 in safe mode:
At the end of this article we also explain how to return from safe mode to normal Windows 10 if this does not happen automatically on restart.
The fastest way to start Windows 10 in safe mode is to press the Shift key ( Shift ) and click Restart with the mouse the same time. Next, we explain in detail the steps to follow..
Accessing the safe mode of Windows 10 is very easy if you have a (semi) functional computer with Windows 10 operating system.
The easiest way to enter Windows 10 safe mode is by using a special Windows restart that also offers several options.
Step 1. Click the on / off button on the screen, just like when you want to shut down or restart Windows 10 in the usual way. Then, a message appears with the options Suspend , Shutdown and Restart .
Step 2. Hold down the [Shift] key on your keyboard while clicking Restart with the mouse .
Step 3. After a short waiting period, the UEFI will open to a screen with a blue background and various options. Click Troubleshoot .
UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface and is the interface that connects hardware and software when Windows starts . UEFI is the fastest successor to the old BIOS, which is still in use on older devices. More information about UEFI in our article where we discuss this topic.
Step 4. The Troubleshoot window will open . There, choose Advanced Options .
Step 5. In the Advanced Options window , select Startup Settings .
Step 6. A window with Windows options will open. Click the Restart button at the bottom right.
Step 7. Then, a window opens in which you can select the startup settings with the number keys on the keyboard. Press the number key [4] to activate safe mode or the number key [5] to enter safe mode with network controllers, which allows Internet access. Windows 10 will start in the selected mode.
Microsoft recommends entering Windows 10 safe mode through Windows settings. This procedure is quite similar to the previous one; here you also get to the UEFI blue screens shown above.
Step 1. Click on the Windows key at the bottom left of the screen or on the keyboard. In the menu that opens, click on the cogwheel, which is the Settings symbol .
Step 2. In the Windows Settings window , click Update & Security .
Step 3. In the left sidebar of the window that opens, click Recovery .
Step 4. In the Recovery window , click the Restart now button in the Advanced startup section .
Selecting Restart Now will bring up the UEFI blue screen . The steps to follow are the same as described in detail in the previous section.
Another relatively simple and straightforward way to enter safe mode from a working (or semi-functional) Windows 10 is through system settings. You can get there and enter Windows 10 Safe Mode in just a few steps:
Step 1. Simultaneously press the [Windows] and [R] keys on your keyboard and the Run command window will open .
Step 2. Type msconfig in this window and click OK .
Step 3. In accepting, a window showing the options to start Windows 10. If you want to restart Windows 10 in safe mode, go to the tab opens Start and check the box Start failsafe in the area Options boot . Select your preferred safe mode. If you want to start Windows 10 in safe mode with only the most basic functions of the system, select Minimal and confirm with OK . If you want to use the Internet in safe mode, select Network and OK .
Step 4. Now a small window will open called System Settings . Click the left Restart button . Windows 10 will shut down and restart in safe mode.
Step 5. To return from Windows 10 safe mode to normal mode, you may have to uncheck the Safe Start box in step 3 and click OK . You will then be able to restart your computer in Windows 10 normal mode.
If Windows 10 does not start as usual, you can start the operating system in safe mode from boot by pressing [Shift] + Restart . When you turn on the computer, the Windows logon screen normally appears, where the Windows password is usually entered. Next, you must follow these steps:
Step 1: At the bottom right of the login screen is the on / off button. Click on it and a small window will open with the options Suspend , Shutdown and Restart .
Step 2. Hold down the [Shift] key on the keyboard while clicking Restart with the mouse . A confirmation message may then appear. In that case, you should click Restart anyway .
Step 3. Once that is done, you will access the UEFI, recognizable by the blue background. This procedure to be followed now is the one described above in the section? Press [Shift] + Restart to enter safe mode ?.
In addition to the ways described above to start Windows 10 in safe mode, there are three other less conventional methods. However, these procedures should only be followed if all else has failed.
Windows 10 safe mode can be started by pressing the [F8] key during startup. Depending on your computer, it may be necessary to combine the [Shift] + [F8] or [Ctrl] + [F8] keys. Sometimes you may also use the following keys: [Esc], [Del], [F1], [F2] or [F10].
For this to work, the corresponding keys must be pressed before the Windows symbol appears on the screen . However, modern computers start up faster and faster, so it is not that simple. One way to achieve this is to press the keys in question quickly and successively during startup.
The standard method of starting Windows in safe mode up to and including Windows 7 was to press the [F8] key. As Windows starts up faster and faster on modern computers, Microsoft has stopped prioritizing this method.
If you have a Windows 10 installation CD, you can insert it into the corresponding slot on your computer before starting the operating system. Then, an installation screen will appear in which you must click Repair the computer and then Options to enter safe mode.
If Windows 10 has stopped working, you can quickly try turning your computer on and off multiple times using the power button to access the UEFI blue screen. From there, you can start your computer in safe mode. The exact procedure to do this is described above in the section? Press [Shift] + Restart to enter safe mode ?.
Often times, to exit Windows 10 Safe Mode, simply restart your computer as usual. If, however, it is returned to safe mode, the Safe boot box in the system settings must be cleared and click OK . To do this, you must follow the instructions in the section? Enter Safe Mode with Run and msconfig ?.
To learn more about how to proceed if Windows 10 does not start, see the article Windows 10, 8, 7 does not start? Causes and solutions. Additionally, you will find important tips for fixing critical system errors in our article Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD): How to Fix Blue Screen of Death.