How to enable Safe Mode on Windows 10?

Windows is a powerful, versatile and most used operating system whether in office or home. But there are times while installing a new application or adding drivers for hardware, Windows crashes. This could be frustrating. And you need to troubleshoot the system for possible errors and fix them. So, safe mode comes into action. Then, what is safe mode? How to enable windows safe mode?

Safe mode is a special environment in windows where it loads in a basic state using a limited set of files and drivers. The purpose of this mode is to allow you to troubleshoot Windows and try to determine what is causing it to malfunction. Once fixed, after restart your system will load normally.

There are three different types of safe mode in Window 10: Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Safe Mode with Networking adds the network drivers and services to access internet. Likewise, Safe Mode with Command Prompt will not boot into Windows GUI like other two modes. Certainly, you will be given access to the Command Prompt.

If you want to know different methods to run Windows 10 in Safe Mode get along with the article.

Methods:

• Using “Shift key + Restart”.
• By “Normal boot”.
• Using “Installation drive”.
• Using “System Configuration tool”.
• By using “Setting App and Recovery” option.
• From “Start Menu”.

Firstly, we’ll be discussing on how to load into Safe Mode when you can no longer log into Windows 10. Then, we’ll go through the methods to load into Safe Mode when you are logged in. Moreover, methods above from 1 to 3 deals with loading into Safe Mode when you are not logged in. Afterwards, the methods deals with loading into Safe Mode when you are logged in.

Also Check: Safe mode on Android!

Loading into Safe Mode using “Shift + Restart” on the Windows 10 Sign in screen.

1. First of all, land into Sign in screen.
2. Then, click on the power button.
3. There, hold Shift key and click on the Restart.
4. This will restart the PC. And after that click on Troubleshoot.
   

5. So, on Troubleshoot screen, click on Advanced Option.
   
6. There, go for the Advanced options screen, click on Startup Setting.
   
7. On the Startup screen, click on Restart button.
   
8. Once again the system will restart and tap the number (4/5/6) on the keyboard for desired safe mode.
   
9. At last, on the login screen, type your credentials and perform the changes you want.

Also Read: Protect Files and Folder on Windows!

Loading into Safe Mode by interrupting the Normal Boot process of Windows 10.

In Windows 10, if it fails to boot normally for three consecutive times, the fourth time it enters into an Automatic Repair mode by default. Using this you can boot into Safe Mode.

1. Firstly, Turn on the system
2. During the booting process is completed press restart or power bottom.
3. Continue Step 1 and Step 2 for three consecutive times and power on the system. System will load Automatic Repair Mode.
   
4. On account selection screen choose an account with administrator permission and continue.
   
5. Windows 10 will automatically diagnose your system.
   
6. On Automatic Repair screen, click on Advanced Option.
   
7. Click on Troubleshoot option again.
8. The steps are similar to the first method from Step no. 5. Navigate to Advance Options > Startup Setting > Restart > press 4/5/6 according to Safe mode you prefer.

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Loading into Safe Mode using a Windows 10 installation drive.

If you have a Windows 10 setup on Flash drive or DVD you can use it to enter into Safe Mode.

1. Boot your Windows 10 Setup Flash drive or DVD on the system.
2. Choose Language and Keyboard layout and click Next.
   
3. Click on the Repair your computer on the left corner of the screen.
   
4. From the given option choose Troubleshoot.
   
5. On the advanced option screen, choose Command Prompt.
   
6. Command prompt window will appear. Type the command bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal and press enter. After a moment you will see “The operation completed successfully”.
   
7. Close the Command Prompt and click on Continue. The system will restart.
8. Login with your account having administrator permission. Perform the changes that you want.
9. After making the changes open command prompt.
10. Type the command bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot and enter.
    
11. Close the Command Prompt and Power off the machine or restart.

Also Check: How to Recover Files on Windows 10?

Loading into Safe Mode using System Configuration tool (msconfig.exe).

1. Assuming that you are logged in, click on start menu.
2. Search for system configuration or msconfig.exe and hit enter.
3. On the app click on Boot tab.
4. In the boot option section, select Safe boot option.
5. Click on OK. A dialogue box will appear.
   
6. Click on Restart. The system will boot into Safe Mode. You can Exit without restart if you have some pending work.
   

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Loading into Safe Mode using the setting app to access the recovery options and starting Safe Mode.

1. Click on Start Menu.
2. Open Setting (shortcut win + i).
3. Navigate to Update & Security > Recovery.
   
4. On the Right side in the Advanced Startup section, click on the Restart now button.
   
5. System will restart and choose Troubleshoot.
   
6. The steps are similar to the first method from Step no. 5. Navigate to Advance Options > Startup Setting > Restart > press 4/5/6 according to Safe mode you prefer.

Loading into Safe Mode using the Shift + Restart on the Windows 10 start menu.

1. Click on the Start Menu.
2. Press on the Power option.
3. Hold Shift and click on Restart.
   
4. The system will restart and asks you to select an option. Select Troubleshoot.
   
5. Remaining steps are similar to the first method from Step no. 5. Navigate to Advance Options > Startup Setting > Restart > press 4/5/6 according to Safe mode you prefer.

Similarly, safe mode automatically starts up in some conditions. If your system starts in safe mode first make sure what you have changed in the system. If you have installed new application recently try removing it via control panel. Then reboot the system, if windows boots normally you can be certain that the application installed was causing the problem.

 Similarly, if you have added any kind of hardware navigate to Control Panel and remove it. Also, remove the corresponding software driver for the device. Reboot the system, hope you will boot into normal Windows boot.

If these weren’t your problem then, you must have a corrupted Registry. In this situation, install a new Windows and set thing right.