Does your PC crash or do you fear malware has taken over your computer? Then it doesn’t hurt to boot your Windows PC in safe mode, to see where the problem lies and whether you can save anything. In the past you could easily get into safe mode with F8, but nowadays it works slightly differently. How? We explain that in this article.
How do I start Windows 10 in Safe Mode?
- click on Start
- Settings
- update and security / system restore
- Then click on the option Restart now under the heading Advanced boot options.
- After your PC restarts and the Choose an option screen appears, click Troubleshooting / Advanced Options / Startup Settings / Restart
- Your PC will now restart one more time, after which a list of options will be displayed Option 4 (or F4) lets you boot the PC in safe mode, option 5 or (F5) lets you boot the PC in Safe Mode with Networking.
What is Safe Mode?
Safe mode provides a simplified Windows environment with limited functionality and low resolution, which is useful for diagnostic and repair purposes. If something goes wrong on your PC, it can be a useful mode to use. For example, if you still can’t uninstall a program, you may be able to do it in safe mode.
Admittedly, it is in Windows 10 much less often needed to boot your PC in safe mode. Of course, much less often does not mean never. Fortunately, Microsoft has only hidden it, not made it impossible. You can boot Windows in safe mode from two locations.
Why Safe Mode?
With Windows Safe Mode, the operating system boots with as few background processes as possible. This can be useful, as a process may be preventing Windows from starting normally or crashing often or ‘blue screens of death‘exhibits. This can be for several reasons: a driver that has been updated incorrectly, a PC component that has become defective or a malware infection. By booting in safe mode you get the option to, for example, save files or diagnose what is wrong with the system.
Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode from Settings
Press the button Start and then on Settings in the menu that appears. A window (Settings) will open in which you can choose the option Update and Security / System Restore. Then click on the option Restart now under the heading Advanced boot options. After your PC restarts and the Choose an option screen appears, click Troubleshooting / Advanced Options / Startup Settings / Restart. The PC will now restart again, after which a list of options will be displayed. Option 4 (or F4) lets you boot your PC in safe mode.
Option 5 or (F5) lets you boot the PC in Safe Mode with Networking. By default, you cannot network in safe mode. However, because some diagnostic tasks require networking and Internet access – such as malware scanning and driver updates – Windows also provides an alternate networked safe mode environment. If you go for option 5 chooses (F5) then you end up in safe mode with networking.
Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode from the login screen
Even though it no longer works with F8, there is still another way to start Windows in Safe Mode by pressing a key during startup. Restart the PC. When the login screen is displayed, press and hold the Shiftkey and click Power / Reboot. Now the process works the same as with the other option: the PC will now restart again, after which a list of options will be displayed. Option 4 (or F4) lets you boot the PC in safe mode, option 5 or (F5) lets you boot your PC in safe mode with network.
Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode with msconfig
Windows 10 Safe Mode can also be activated via the built-in system configuration. To do this, press Windows key + R, typ msconfig and press Enter. You can also use Windows 10’s search function, msconfig types and System configuration select. In the tab Start the computer you can tick at the bottom left Boot into safe mode, and you can even choose some extra options. The next time you reboot your PC it will be in Safe Mode. Do you want to start up normally again? Then repeat the steps and remove the check mark.
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