If your Windows PC will not start normally, keeps crashing, freezes during startup, or you suspect a driver or software problem, Safe Mode is one of the most useful Windows troubleshooting tools.
Safe Mode starts Windows with only essential drivers and services. This makes it easier to identify problems caused by faulty drivers, recently installed software, startup programs, or other Windows issues.
In this guide, you will learn how to boot in Safe Mode on Windows 10 and Windows 11, including what to do when Windows will not start normally, how to use Safe Mode with Networking, and how to exit Safe Mode after troubleshooting.
Quick answer: Open the Windows recovery options and go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. After the PC restarts, press 4 for Safe Mode, 5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
What Is Safe Mode and Why Use It?
Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in Windows. It loads Windows with a limited set of drivers, services, and startup programs.
This limited environment can help you determine whether a problem is caused by a third-party driver, application, startup program, or another software-related issue.
Safe Mode can be useful when:
- Windows keeps crashing or freezing.
- Your PC shows a blue screen.
- Windows will not start normally.
- A recently installed driver causes problems.
- A program prevents Windows from starting correctly.
- You need to remove troublesome software.
- You suspect malware or another unwanted program.
- You need to troubleshoot graphics or display problems.
Safe Mode Types Explained
Windows provides several Safe Mode options:
- Safe Mode: Starts Windows with basic drivers and services.
- Safe Mode with Networking: Adds the network drivers and services needed for network access.
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Starts Windows with a Command Prompt environment for advanced troubleshooting.
For most troubleshooting tasks, start with normal Safe Mode. Use Safe Mode with Networking only when you need network access.
How to Boot in Safe Mode on Windows 11
The easiest way to enter Safe Mode in Windows 11 is through Advanced Startup.
Method 1: Use Windows 11 Settings
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Recovery.
- Find Advanced startup.
- Click Restart now.
- After the PC restarts, select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.
- Press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Method 2: Use the Sign-in Screen
- Go to the Windows sign-in screen.
- Press and hold the Shift key.
- While holding Shift, select Power > Restart.
- After Windows restarts, select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options > Startup Settings.
- Select Restart.
- Choose the Safe Mode option you need.
Method 3: Use System Configuration (msconfig)
You can configure Windows to start in Safe Mode using System Configuration.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type msconfig.
- Press Enter.
- Open the Boot tab.
- Select your Windows installation.
- Under Boot options, select Safe boot.
- Select Minimal.
- Click Apply and then OK.
- Restart the computer.
After troubleshooting, open msconfig again and clear Safe boot. Otherwise, Windows may continue starting in Safe Mode.
Method 4: Use Command Prompt
Advanced users can use BCDEdit to configure Windows to start in Safe Mode.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal
For Safe Mode with Networking, use:
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot network
To return Windows to normal startup, run:
bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
Use BCDEdit only if you are comfortable changing Windows boot configuration.
How to Boot in Safe Mode on Windows 10
If you are searching for how to enter Safe Mode in Windows 10 in 2026, the Settings method is usually the simplest option.
In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under Advanced Startup, select Restart now. Then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
When the Startup Settings screen appears, press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, or press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
Method 1: Use Windows 10 Settings
- Press Windows + I.
- Select Update & Security.
- Select Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- Windows will restart and display the recovery options.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.
- Press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Method 2: Use the Windows 10 Sign-in Screen
- Go to the Windows sign-in screen.
- Press and hold Shift.
- Select Power > Restart while holding Shift.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Select Restart.
- Press 4, 5, or 6 depending on the Safe Mode type you need.
Method 3: Use System Configuration (msconfig)
- Press Windows + R.
- Type msconfig.
- Press Enter.
- Select the Boot tab.
- Select your Windows installation.
- Check Safe boot.
- Select Minimal.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Restart your PC.
After troubleshooting, return to msconfig > Boot and clear Safe boot before restarting normally.
Method 4: Use Command Prompt
If Windows is running, you can use Command Prompt as administrator to enable Safe Mode.
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal
For Safe Mode with Networking:
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot network
After troubleshooting, disable the Safe Mode boot setting:
bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
How to Boot in Safe Mode When Windows Won't Start Normally
If you cannot reach the Windows desktop or sign-in screen, use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
Method 1: Use Windows Recovery Environment
If Windows repeatedly fails during startup, it may automatically enter the recovery environment.
If Windows does not enter recovery automatically, interrupt the normal startup process several times until Windows displays the recovery options. Do not interrupt the computer while Windows is installing an update or performing another important operation.
Once you reach the recovery screen:
- Select Advanced options or See advanced repair options.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press 4 for Safe Mode.
- Press 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
- Press 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Method 2: Use a Windows Installation USB
If the built-in recovery environment is unavailable, a Windows installation USB can provide access to recovery tools.
- Connect your Windows installation USB.
- Start the computer from the USB drive.
- When Windows Setup appears, select your language and continue.
- Select Repair your computer instead of installing Windows.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Open Startup Settings if available.
- Restart and select the required Safe Mode option.
What to Do After Booting into Safe Mode
Once Windows starts in Safe Mode, check whether the original problem still occurs.
If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, a third-party driver, application, service, or startup program may be responsible.
You can try the following:
- Uninstall recently installed applications.
- Remove or roll back a recently installed driver.
- Disable suspicious startup applications.
- Run Windows Security and perform a malware scan.
- Check Device Manager for devices showing warning icons.
- Check recent Windows updates if the problem started after an update.
- Use System Restore if a suitable restore point exists.
Run System File Checker
If Windows system files may be damaged, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
sfc /scannow
Check the Windows Drive
You can also check the system drive for file-system errors:
chkdsk C: /f /r
The scan can take a long time, especially on large or damaged drives.
How to Exit Safe Mode and Boot Windows Normally
In many cases, selecting Restart will return Windows to normal startup.
If Windows keeps booting into Safe Mode, use System Configuration:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type msconfig.
- Press Enter.
- Open the Boot tab.
- Clear the Safe boot option.
- Click Apply and OK.
- Restart the computer.
If you enabled Safe Mode using BCDEdit, open an elevated Command Prompt and run:
bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
Why Doesn't F8 Work for Safe Mode on Windows 10 or 11?
On modern Windows systems, pressing F8 during startup normally does not open the traditional Advanced Boot Options menu.
Instead, use Advanced startup, Shift + Restart, Windows Recovery Environment, or another method described in this guide.
Common Questions About Safe Mode
Will booting into Safe Mode delete my files?
No. Starting Windows in Safe Mode does not normally delete your personal files. It simply starts Windows with a limited set of drivers and services.
Can I use the internet in Safe Mode?
Yes, but you need to select Safe Mode with Networking. Network access may still be limited depending on your network adapter, drivers, security software, or Windows configuration.
Why is my PC stuck in a Safe Mode loop?
A common reason is that Safe boot remains enabled in System Configuration. Open msconfig, select the Boot tab, clear Safe boot, and restart Windows.
If you used BCDEdit to force Safe Mode, run:
bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
Is Safe Mode safe for banking or normal browsing?
Safe Mode is primarily a troubleshooting environment. It is better to use normal Windows for banking and other sensitive activities. If you suspect malware, use Safe Mode to help diagnose and remove the problem rather than treating Safe Mode itself as a security solution.
Can Safe Mode fix Windows by itself?
No. Safe Mode does not automatically repair every Windows problem. It provides a limited environment that can help you identify and troubleshoot the cause of a problem.
What is the difference between Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking?
Normal Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and services. Safe Mode with Networking also loads the components required for network connectivity.
Device-Specific Safe Mode Tips
The Windows recovery process is generally the same across computers, but the keys used to open the manufacturer's boot menu can vary.
- HP: Boot-menu and recovery keys can vary by model.
- Dell: Boot and recovery options can vary by model and firmware.
- Lenovo: Some models include dedicated recovery or boot-menu buttons.
- ASUS: Boot-menu behavior can vary depending on the model.
- Microsoft Surface: Recovery and boot procedures differ from some traditional PCs.
If Windows is still working, using the built-in Advanced startup method is usually simpler than relying on manufacturer-specific startup keys.
When Safe Mode Won't Work at All
If Windows cannot enter Safe Mode, the problem may be more serious than a normal startup application or driver issue.
Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Disconnect unnecessary USB devices.
- Try Windows Recovery Environment again.
- Run Startup Repair.
- Try System Restore if available.
- Run system file and disk checks from the recovery Command Prompt.
- Check whether a recent Windows update or driver caused the problem.
- Use Windows installation media to access additional recovery tools.
Run an Offline System File Check
If Windows cannot start normally, you may be able to run an offline system file check from the recovery Command Prompt:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
Note: In Windows Recovery Environment, the Windows installation may not always use drive letter C:. Check the correct drive letter before running an offline repair command.
Windows Safe Mode Quick Checklist
- Try Settings > Recovery > Advanced startup.
- Use Shift + Restart if you can reach the sign-in screen.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
- Press 4 for Safe Mode.
- Press 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
- Use msconfig when appropriate.
- Use BCDEdit only if you understand the boot-setting changes.
- Check recently installed drivers and software.
- Run SFC or disk checks when system corruption is suspected.
- Clear Safe boot after troubleshooting.
Final Thoughts
Safe Mode is one of the most useful Windows troubleshooting tools when a PC crashes, freezes, fails to start normally, or develops problems after installing a driver or application.
For most Windows 10 and Windows 11 users, the easiest approach is to use Advanced startup and then open Startup Settings. If Windows cannot reach the desktop, use the Windows Recovery Environment instead.
Once you identify and fix the problem, remember to return Windows to normal startup by clearing the Safe Mode setting if you enabled it through msconfig or BCDEdit.
Note: Windows recovery screens and available options can vary slightly depending on your Windows version, device manufacturer, firmware settings, and installed updates.