Starting Windows 10 in safe mode is required in many cases. For example, you can start Windows in the safe mode to understand the root cause of the issue you are facing. This will then help you understand the cause of the problem.
This is because if you encounter an issue but that does not appear in Safe mode then the cause behind such issue is not the default settings or device drivers.
Windows 10 can be started in a safe mode in various ways. You can implement either way as per your preference.
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How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode?
As mentioned earlier, there are numerous ways following which you should be able to launch Windows 10 in safe mode. Here we have listed each of them and detailed them in a step-by-step manner for easy understanding.
Way 1: Through Settings
At first, we will be discussing how to start Windows 10 in safe mode using Settings. This involves the following steps.
- Press both Windows and I keys together to launch the Settings option. You can also go to Start and then click on Settings.
- Click on Update and Security>Recover. Go to Advanced Startup and then click on Restart Now.
- Once your system restarts and “Choose an option” screen appears, click on Troubleshoot. Again, click on Advanced options>Startup Settings> Restart.
- As soon as your system restarts, press F4 to launch the system in Safe Mode. For Safe Mode with Networking, press the F5 key.
Way 2: Make Use of Sign-in Screen
Another way to start your system in safe mode will be by the sign-in screen. Follow the steps given below to do so.
- Press and hold the Shift key. Go to Power and then click on Restart.
- Once your system restarts and “Choose an option” screen displays, go to Troubleshoot>Advanced options>Startup Settings. Click on Restart.
- After a successful restart, you will see several options. Press 4 or
F4 to start your system in safe mode. For Safe Mode with Networking, press 5 or F5.
Way 3: If you Have a Black Screen
Before going to safe mode, enter the Windows Recovery Environment by executing the steps given below.
- Press the power button to turn off the device. After some time, turn it on.
- Once the Windows starts, press and hold the power button to turn it off.
- Turn on your system again and once it restarts, turn it off again by pressing the power button for 10 seconds.
- Again, press the power button to turn it on. Wait for your device to get restarted and enter WinRE.
As soon as the WinRE opens for you, follow the steps given below to enter the safe mode easily.
- Within the “Choose an Option” window, Go to Troubleshoot and then click on Advanced Options.
- Again, click on Startup Settings and then select Restart to reboot your system.
- Once your system restarts successfully, press 5 or F5 to start safe mode with networking.
Way 4: Through Windows 10 Installation Drive and the Command Prompt
This process can also be executed by any available Windows 10 installation drive and command prompt. To do so, follow the steps given below.
- Insert the Installation media and wait for some time so that the installation environment can get loaded successfully.
- Select the language and then click on Next. Again, click on “Repair your computer” and then go to Troubleshoot.
- Once the Advanced options screen appears, click “Command Prompt (Use the Command Prompt for advanced troubleshooting).”
- Within the Command Prompt, type “bcdedit /set {default} safe boot minimal” and then press the Enter button. After some time, you will see a message stating “The operation completed successfully.”
- Close the Command Prompt. As soon as your system restarts, Windows 10 will start in Safe Mode. Login with your details and make any required changes.
Way 5: Press Shift+Restart on Windows 10 Start Menu
You can also go to safe mode by following the steps given below.
- Press and hold the Shift key and click the Start button simultaneously. While pressing it, press the Power button and then Restart.
- In doing so, Windows 10 will restart and ask you to choose an option. Make sure to select Troubleshoot.
- Now, go to Advanced Options and then Startup Settings. From there, click on Restart.
- Press 4 or F4 key to start the Safe mode, 5 or F5 key for Safe Mode with Networking, and 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Way 6: Using the System Configuration tool
Another way to start your system in safe mode is by taking the help of the System Configuration tool.
- Go to search box and type “system configuration”. Click on the shortcut that appears. Once the configuration window opens, click on the Boot tab.
- Again, go to the Boot options section and click on Safe boot. After that, click the Ok button.
- Now you can either choose from Restart or Exit without restart.
- On the restart, Windows 10 will start in the safe mode.
Way 7: Use Flash USB Recovery Drive
Lastly, you can also make a system recovery USB drive from another system and use it on your system to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode. Thus, create a USB recovery drive and follow the steps given below.
- Select the keyboard layouts according to your preference and click on Troubleshoot once the “Choose an option” window appears.
- Now boot into safe mode by simply following the same method as mentioned in the earlier methods. Click on Advanced Options and then Startup Settings.
- Again, restart your system. Press F4 or 4 to start your system in safe mode. You can also use 5 or F5 to start your system in Safe Mode with Networking. Press 6 or F6 to start Windows in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
These were some of the methods by which one should be able to boot in safe mode in Windows 10 successfully.