Start Windows in Safe Mode

Many times in order to remove a piece of spyware or for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes, you'll have to start Windows in Safe Mode. While in Safe Mode, only specific programs and files needed to run the operating system are loaded. This will allow you to remove attempt to remove viruses, change bad drivers and other diagnostic tasks that cannot be removed in Normal Mode. Follow the instructions below to start Safe Mode for your specific version of Windows.

Steps

Using Windows System Configuration Utility Tool (Windows Vista, 7, 8 & 8.1 and 10)

  1. Close any running programs and open Windows so you are back at the desktop.
  2. Set your computer to boot into Safe Mode. Open the MSConfig tool. Either type msconfig on the Start menu search box, or type msconfig in the Windows-Run (Keyboard shortcut:⊞ Win+R) box.
    • This step only works if your computer is currently able to access Windows normally. If you cannot access Windows, check the next step.[1]
  3. Click the Boot tab. Check the “Safe boot” box and select “Minimal” for a typical safe boot.
  4. Click Apply.
  5. Click Ok and your computer will boot into Safe Mode next time it restarts.
    • This will make your computer boot to Safe Mode every time. To undo it, repeat these steps and uncheck the “Safe boot” box.
  6. Perform the operations in Safe mode.
  7. Open up the MSConfig box once again when you are all done with using Safe mode and select the option labeled Normal Startup from the general tab.
  8. Press the Apply button and then the OK button. When the programs prompts you to reboot, allow it to do so, and you will boot back into Windows Vista in normal mode.

Using the Startup Settings Mode of the System Configuration Tool (Windows Vista, 7, 8& 8.1 and 10)

  1. Click the Power button on the Sign-In screen. Use this method if you cannot sign into Windows properly. Hold the Shift key and click Restart from the Power menu. This will open the Startup Settings after the computer reboots.[2]
  2. Select Safe Mode. Once you’re in the Startup Settings menu, scroll down and select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. If you think the network interface may be what is causing problems, you can open Safe Mode without it.

Using F8 keyboard shortcut (Windows 7)

  1. Reboot the computer. Start tapping the F8 key as soon as your manufacturer’s logo appears. This will open the Windows Advanced Options Menu.[3]
    • If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
    • If you see the Windows logo, it means you did not start pressing the F8 button soon enough. You will need to reboot and try again.
  2. Select your Safe Mode option. You can choose regular Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
    • Regular Safe Mode will open Windows with minimal drivers and no internet connection. This is the most recommended method for dealing with viruses and other malware.
    • Safe Mode with Networking will open windows in Safe Mode with your network connection settings. This mode is useful if you need to use the internet to troubleshoot or download drivers.
    • Safe Mode with Command Prompt will put you at a DOS command prompt as opposed to Windows. This is useful for running command prompt tools such as chkdsk.
  3. Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode. Your computer will attempt to boot normally the next time you restart.
  4. Set your computer to boot into Safe Mode. This step only works if your computer is currently able to access Windows normally. If you cannot access Windows, check the next step.
    • Open the Run dialog. You can access this by pressing the Windows + R keys.
    • Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
    • Click the Boot tab. Check the “Safe boot” box and select “Minimal” for a typical safe boot. Click Apply and your computer will boot into Safe Mode next time it restarts.
    • This will make your computer boot to Safe Mode every time. To undo it, repeat these steps and uncheck the “Safe boot” box.

Classic Windows (Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME) and Windows XP, Vista

  1. Restart your computer. When the machine first starts it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. When it is finished with that it will say "Starting Windows 95/98/2000/ME" (this screen will differ slightly over the slightly different named versions of Windows that exist).
  2. Keep pressing the F8 key repeatedly until you see the Starting Windows 95/98/2000/ME" screen come up. By doing so, you'll reach a screen that will allow you to scroll through options to open Safe mode.
  3. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to find the Safe Mode option. Generally you'll be placed on Start Windows Normally and Safe Mode will be at the top of the list, but it'll be there. (On Windows XP, Vista and 7, you'll also see options for Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode in Command Prompt).
    • Mousing on this screen won't be enabled by the system hardware. Your computer manufacture has been instructed to disable mousing on this initial boot-failure Windows screen.
  4. Press enter on your keyboard to go to safe mode.
  5. Do whatever tasks you require
  6. Reboot back into normal booting mode when you are done.

Windows as Part of a Multi-Boot System

  1. Reboot the computer. This method is for computers with multiple operating systems installed. When the Boot loader menu (list of the available operating systems) appears, use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the version Windows what you want.[4]
    • If you have Dual Boot Two Versions of Windows installed and want to enter Safe Mode in the older one, select “Earlier Version of Windows”
  2. Press Enter, and then immediately begin tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
    • If the Windows logo appears, you will need to restart the computer and try again.
  3. Select your Safe Mode. There are several Safe Mode options available. Select the option you need and then press Enter.



Tips

  • In most computers, when the OS has not been loaded, the combination of keys to restart is Ctrl+Alt+Del.
  • If your computer doesn't open the MSCONFIG command, then try running "run" as an admin user.
  • When you start windows in safe mode into then operating system only loads the minimum of software that is required for the operating system to work. Windows safe mode is designed to let you troubleshoot and run diagnostics on your computer. Windows Safe Mode loads a basic video drivers software so your programs may look different than normal.

Warnings

  • If you are not completely sure you know what you are doing, leave this work to a professional.
  • Never force your computer to boot into Safe Mode using the System Configuration Utility if you suspect you are infected with malware as the malware may corrupt registry keys required to boot into Safe Mode.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-boot-into-windows-8-safe-mode/
  2. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode
  3. ↑ http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html
  4. ↑ http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/14086-safe-mode-dual-boot.html
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