How to boot into Windows 10 safe mode
How to boot into Windows 10 safe mode
Looking for how to boot into Windows 10 safe mode? Here’s a guide to help
(Image
credit: Microsoft)
Mysterious issues
making your PC buggy? Learning how to boot into Windows 10 safe mode should be
the next item on your to-do list.
Booting into safe
mode is extremely useful for troubleshooting problems on your computer. Safe
mode is a basic state, which uses only a small set of files and drivers. It can
be used to narrow down the source of your device’s issues.
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If for example, your
PC is constantly crashing and then when you boot it into safe mode the problem
doesn’t reoccur then you know that it’s not the default settings and basic
drivers which are causing the crashing.
Safe mode is also
useful if your Windows 10 device is running extremely slow, or even it won’t
even start up at all. It’ll help you identify the source of the problem, and is
one of the first steps that you can take to get your PC back up and running
smoothly. LAY SOUND
You can’t run your
device in safe mode permanently though, as it limited many critical functions,
but it’s a great tool when you’re having issues to get to the root of the
problem.
If you’re not sure
how to boot into safe mode on Windows 10 then you’re in the right place, as
beyond we’ll run you through how to do so with easy-to-follow
instructions.
How to boot into Windows 10 safe mode from settings
If you have full
access to your device’s desktop and are able to boot into safe mode from the
Settings Menu, here’s how to do so:
1.
Open Settings from the Start Menu or by pressing Windows + I. The Settings
Menu is super easy to access from the Start Menu, which is located on the
toolbar, just click the Windows logo in the corner and then look for the little
cog symbol. Alternatively, press Windows + I to bring up the Settings Menu.
2.
Select Updates and Security from the Settings Menu. If you can’t find
Updates and Security in the Settings Menu then there’s a handy search bar that
you can use to locate it.
3.
Open the Recovery tab on the Updates and Security Menu. On the
left-hand column of the Updates and Security Menu you’ll find the Recovery tab.
If you’re struggling to locate it make use of the search bar.
4.
Under Advanced startup, select Restart Now. Hit the Restart Now
button which is located under the Advanced start-up header. Make sure you’ve
saved anything you were working on beforehand though.
5.
Select Troubleshoot.
6.
Select Advanced options.
7.
Select Startup Settings.
8.
Select Restart. After your device restarts, you’ll be
faced with a ‘Choose an option’ menu, follow the steps above, first hit
Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then startup settings, and finally
restart. This will again restart your device.
9.
Press F4 from the Startup Settings menu. After your
Windows 10 device restarts, you’ll be faced with a numbered list of options,
you want number 4. This will boot your PC into safe mode. If you need
networking capabilities in safe mode (i.e. the ability to connect to the
internet) press F5 instead.
How to boot into Windows 10 safe mode from the sign-in screen
If you’re unable to
access your desktop, and therefore cannot boot into safe mode from the settings
menu, that’s not an issue. Here’s how to get access to safe mode from the
sign-in screen:
1.
Press and hold the shift key.
2.
Select Power.
3.
Select Restart. Hold the shift key and while
you’re doing that press Power (the button on the screen, not the physical power
button on your device) and then restart.
4.
Select Troubleshoot.
5.
Select Advanced options.
6.
Select Startup Settings.
7.
Select Restart. After your device restarts, you’ll boot
into the ‘Choose an option’ menu, follow these steps, first hit Troubleshoot,
then Advanced options, then startup settings, and finally restart. Afterwards,
your device will restart.
8.
Press F4 at the Startup Settings menu. After your
Windows 10 device restarts, you’ll have various options in front of you, you
want to select number 4, do this by pressing F4. This will boot your PC into
safe mode. If you need networking capabilities in safe mode (i.e. the ability
to connect to the internet) press F5 instead.
How to boot into Windows 10 safe mode from a blank screen
If your PC is in a
bad state, and you can’t even get beyond a blank screen (or it’s completely
crashed) you still have a way to get to safe mode.
1.
Hold down the power button for 10 seconds. Located the physical
power button on your device, and hold it down for a period of 10 seconds.
2.
Press the power button. After the device has fully
powered down, press the power button again.
3. When your device powers up immediately hold the power button for
10 seconds again. The
second you have an indication that your device is powering up, for example,
some devices will show a manufacturing logo upon booting up, hold the power
button for 10 seconds ago which will switch your device off.
4.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 a second time. Once again turn
on your device and the minute it starts to wake up, hold the power button for
10 seconds to switch it off.
5.
Press the power button again, this time allowing your device to
fully restart. After
doing steps 2 and 3 twice, this time when you hit the power button you want to
let your device fully power up. You should now enter what is known as the
Windows Recovery Environment (winRE).
6.
Select Troubleshoot.
7.
Select Advanced options.
8.
Select Startup Settings.
9.
Select Restart. After your device powers up, you’ll see
a ‘Choose an option’ menu, follow these steps, first hit Troubleshoot, then
Advanced options, then startup settings, and finally restart. Afterward, your
device will restart.
10. Press F4 at the Startup
Settings menu. After
your device restarts, you’ll have a list of options in front of you. You want
to select number 4, by pressing F4, this will boot you into safe mode. Or you
can press F5 to boot into safe mode with networking capabilities.
How to leave Windows 10 Safe Mode
So, when you're done
with Safe Mode, it's easy to get out. Just restart your computer:
1.
Click the Start button.
2.
Select Power.
3. Select Restart. You will be returned
to normal Windows 10.