Safe Boot Mode can save the day if Windows does not start correctly. But you still have to know how to access it.
Windows 10 does not start anymore? Is the system behaving erratically? All is not lost because Windows 10, like its predecessors, has a “safe” mode that allows you to start the OS in a minimalist configuration. This mode allows you to try to correct the problem (poorly updated, faulty drivers, etc.) and above all to transfer your work files, for example to a USB key. There are several ways to access Safe Mode depending on the situation you are in.
1 – If the system manages to start
Microsoft has provided a very practical tool for changing the configuration of Windows. To activate it, click in the search box next to the Start button and type msconfig. Click on System configuration in the results list.
In the tab To start up, Check the box Secure boot in Boot Options to enable Safe Mode. Choose Minimal for the smallest configuration or Network to at least have the network activated and therefore access the Internet.
Click on the buttons To apply then OK. Restart your computer to enter safe mode. To return to a normal start use the tool again System configuration and uncheck the box Secure boot.
2 – If you want to activate safe mode by pressing a key at startup
From time immemorial, on startup it was possible to activate Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key on the keyboard. Alas, this option has been disabled in Windows 10 to speed up startup. It is nevertheless possible to put it back.
You must first use the command prompt, which has been replaced by Windows PowerShell.
Go to Windows settings and choose Customization. Click on Taskbar and turn off the switch Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell. You can then turn on the switch to find Windows PowerShell.
Right-click on the Start menu and choose Command prompt (admin) in the list.
To reactivate the F8 key, type in the window bcdedit / set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy and validate with the Enter key. Type exit then validate to close the window.
If you later want to return to standard startup, repeat the operation and type this time bcdedit / set {default} bootmenupolicy standard.
Disable Windows 10 fast startup by reading this article. On the next reboot, press the F8 key to activate Safe Mode.
3 – If the system does not start anymore
First, you need to create a Windows 10 installation USB drive as explained in this article. If you haven’t already, you can create the key on another computer as long as it has the same version of Windows 10.
Then start your computer with the USB key (the option must be active in the Bios). After loading the installer, check the language settings (French) and click Following. Then click on Repair the computer (at the bottom of the window) to switch to advanced options, especially the command prompt.
Click on Repair then on Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt window, type bcdedit / set {default} minimal safeboot and validate with the Enter key. This forces Windows to start in Safe Mode.
Type exit and validate. Restart the computer and Windows will then launch into Safe Mode. To then return to normal startup mode, use the System Configuration tool (see solution 1) and uncheck the box. Secure boot.