When you run into some error in Windows 10, you must have come across Windows 10 safe mode where you will be able to diagnose the problem and solve it as well. but what is safe mode? Here, we shall discuss what safe mode is, what are the various options under it, and all the methods you can use to boot into Safe Mode.
What Is Safe Mode In Windows 10?
When an app or service in Windows 10 misbehaves, this malfunction can affect the entire operating system. if you wish to solve this, you will need a space in the OS where you can work on the repairs, given you know how to. safe mode is this diagnostic space within Windows 10, where you can troubleshoot the errors bugging your computer.
in Windows 10 safe mode, only the most important drivers and the built in applications are launched at boot. everything else is disabled by default, so that they cannot interfere with the functioning of the operating system, therefore displaying errors. Here, you can diagnose what the problem is, and perform the necessary repairs accordingly.
Windows 10 Safe Mode Options:
there are three safe mode options to choose from during boot. here is a brief description of what these options are so that you can choose accordingly.
- Safe mode
The default safe mode boots Windows with only the necessary drivers and programs required for the operating system to launch normally. if you need to perform a repair where you do not need the access to a network connection Or a terminal, this is the option you need to select.
- Safe mode with networking
As the name suggests, this option enables safe mode with Internet connectivity. In this mode, all the necessary drivers and programmes our launched at boot, which are required for the operating system to work normally and connect to a network. this can be extremely beneficial while handling a driver or service update, which would otherwise fail in the normal mode.
- Safe mode with command prompt
Similar to the standard safe mode, only the necessary drivers and programmes are launched here as well. However, only command prompt, which is the basic terminal programme in Windows 10, is launched as the default user interface instead of the graphical user interface that you are used to in the form of Windows Explorer. this may be beneficial if the core Windows features are misbehaving.
How To Boot Into Windows 10 Safe Mode?
If you are familiar with the older iterations of Microsoft Windows, you must have noticed that the keyboard hot key Shift + F8 does not work in Windows 10 by default. So, here are all the ways in which you can boot into Windows 10 safe mode on your computer.
Method 1: Bring Back The Keyboard Hot Key
if you cannot let go of the comfort of the keyboard shortcut, we have already covered a comprehensive guide have on how you can bring back and use Shift + F8 to boot into safe mode in Windows 10.
Method 2: Interrupt The Boot Sequence
With Windows 10, the Advanced start-up Was made the primary method to access the additional boot menu items. The official Microsoft statement says the following method to access the Windows (RE) Recovery environment :
‘Upon the ‘Preparing automatic repair’ window, press-and-hold Power button 3 times to forcefully shut down the machine. The system will enter boot repair page after 2-3 times of reboot’.
From this screen, follow this path:
Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart
When your PC restart again, you will see the list of startup settings. Here, press F4 to launch safe mode, F5 to launch safe mode with networking, and F6 to launch safe mode with command prompt.
This method can be beneficial if you see that your Windows 10 computer fails to boot correctly.
Method 3: From The Command Prompt
there is an option to launch Windows 10 safe mode from command prompt. The command to launch the safe mode needs to be turned off after you have completed the repairs, for which you will require an additional command. Here is the Windows 10 safe mode command:
- Boot into the Windows RE as mentioned in the method above.
- Click on Troubleshoot > Command Prompt to launch a command prompt window.
- Enter the following command to launch Safe mode directly:
bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal - Close the command prompt by using the exit
- Click on Continue in the next screen to boot Windows 10.
You will see that Windows 10 boots into safe mode by default. Once you are done repairing, use the following command to boot into normal Windows.
bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
Method 4: From The Settings App
if your computer boots normally, but posts an error after boot, you can use this method to launch safe mode from the settings app. this also involves booting into windows recovery environment as mentioned in the method above. Follow these steps for the same:
- Open the windows settings app. You can use the keyboard shortcut Win + I.
- Click on Update and Security.
- From the left pane menu, click on Recovery.
- In the right pane click on the Restart now button under the Advanced start up section.
You will see your computer boot into Windows recovery environment.
- Here, follow this path to access the Advanced startup options:
Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart
Similar to the method above, press the appropriate key to launch the safe mode option that you wish.
Method 5: From The System Configuration Tool
For a long time in Windows, the system configuration utility was one of the most important features. Using this utility, you can easily boot into safe mode without having to go through the recovery screens as mentioned in the methods above.
the only downside to this method, is the fact that you will have to turn off the boot option to prevent windows from booting into safe mode every time you power on your computer.
Follow these steps to access the boot options:
- Open a Run dialog. you can use the keyboard shortcut Win + R.
- Here, type msconfig and press Enter to launch System Configuration.
- Switch to the Boot tab.
- Here, you will find a Boot options section.
- Mark the box next to Safe boot.
Now, if you do not select any radio buttons below, it will launch the standard safe mode. Select Minimal to only launch the necessary components. Select Alternate shell to launch safe mode with command prompt. Select Network to launch command prompt with networking.
Method 6: Use Shift + Restart
This is another method you can use if you can boot into Windows. Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard, and open the Start menu to view the Power Options. Next, click on Restart while holding the Shift button, and your computer should boot into Safe mode.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it. Now you know how to open Windows 10 safe mode using the methods provided above. Comment below if you found this useful, and to discuss further the same.