What do tech experts ask you to do when your Windows 10 PC isn’t working correctly? Start Windows 10 in safe mode. Although Windows 10 is a robust & versatile operating system (OS), it isn’t perfect. Sometimes the OS won’t start up efficiently or at all. That’s when you need to restart Windows in safe mode & address the system-critical issues that are interfering with the normal operation of your PC’s OS.
Do you have a particular question about ways to start Windows 10 in safe mode? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
What Does It Mean to Enter Safe Mode?
Safe Mode is a special way the Windows 10 OS loads on a PC. Every version of Windows comes with this mode. When you enter Safe Mode, you basically get to boot your PC with just the basic programs, files, & drivers OS needs to run. All extra features are disabled. Programs run more slowly. Users need internet access once they enter Windows Safe Mode. The purpose of operating a Windows 10 PC in Safe Mode is to allow users to troubleshoot the OS.
Once users enter the safe mode Windows 10, they can determine what’s causing the OS to not function correctly with more accuracy. Once you identify the problems, you can correct them, & then you reboot Windows normally. That’s why learning how to reboot Windows 10 in safe mode is so important for PC users.
How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode
There are multiple ways to enter Safe Mode. In fact, different PC manufacturers offer different types of techniques to users who want to use their PCs in Safe Mode. Don’t worry. We won’t confuse you. Here are the three easiest ways to start Windows in Safe Mode that apply to all Windows PCs:
#1. Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode Using the Power icon
If you’re signed in to your Windows profile, you can use your device’s power icon to boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode. Here’s how:
- In the bottom-left corner of your screen, click the Windows icon
- Click the Power icon while holding down the Shift key
- Restart the PC
- Upon restarting your computer will show you a blue screen. You’ll notice that the title of this blue screen says “Choose an option.”
- From the list of options on the screen, select Troubleshoot
- From the Troubleshoot sub-menu, select “Advanced Options”
- From the “Advanced Options” sub-menu, select Startup Settings
- Through this menu, you can select Restart
- Hit restart to make your computer turn off/on again
- Once the screen returns, you’ll receive multiple options
- Press 4 to launch Windows 10 Safe Mode without any internet access
- Press 5 to launch Windows 10 Safe Mode with internet access
Congratulations: you’ve successfully learned how to boot in Safe Mode Windows 10. While you’re in this mode, you can delete files, programs, or drivers that are corrupting your OS. But does this method of entering Win 10 Safe Mode work if you’re not signed in to your Windows profile? Yes, it does.
If you’re not signed in to your Windows profile, take the same steps mentioned above. You just need to click the Power icon (step 2) on the sign-in page. Here’s a helpful video guide on this process:
#2. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode via the Settings App
This method of starting Win 10 Safe Mode is preferred by Microsoft. Here’s how you can start safe mode in Windows 10 via the settings menu:
- Open the Settings app on your PC (shortcut: press these two keys simultaneously – Windows key + I)
- Select “Update & Security”
- In the next sub-menu, select “Recovery”
- On this page, you’ll notice a menu titled Advanced startup; underneath this option, find & click on “Restart now”
- Your Windows 10 PC will restart on the blue, “Choose an option” screen
- Here, click “Troubleshoot”
- Then, click “Advanced options”
- Select “Startup Settings”
- Under the “Startup Settings” menu, click “Restart”
- When your PC boots back up, you’ll be given multiple reboot options
- Press 4 to launch Windows 10 Safe Mode without any internet access
- Press 5 to launch Windows 10 Safe Mode with internet access
You’ve successfully entered Windows 10 Safe Mode!
#3. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode by Holding Down the Power Button
Can you boot windows 10 in safe mode if the OS isn’t booting normally? Yes. It’s common for PCs to not boot normally or not respond to any commands from the user. That’s when knowing how to reboot Windows 10 in Safe Mode using this method can greatly help.
If you can’t boot into Windows 10 normally, take the following steps:
- Turn on your PC or laptop by pressing its power button
- As soon as the screen turns on, press & hold the power button until the device turns off again. Take this step as soon as anything appears on the screen. Take this step even if your PC only shows the Windows logo.
- Take steps 1 & 2 a few more times until turning your PC or laptop on
- As your device is starting, you’ll receive a notification saying “Preparing Automatic Repair” appear at the bottom section of the screen
- Let your PC or laptop go through this “Automatic Repair” process
- In due course it should boot into the “Choose an option” blue screen
- On this screen, click “Troubleshoot”
- Then, click “Advanced options”
- Select “Startup Settings”
- Under the “Startup Settings” menu, click “Restart”
- When your PC boots back up, you’ll be given multiple reboot options
- Press 4 to launch Windows 10 Safe Mode without any internet access & 5 to launch Windows 10 Safe Mode with internet access
Force-restarting your PC or laptop three to four times will put it into automatic repair mode. Via this mode, the device will automatically enter safe mode.
How to Exit Safe Mode?
To get out of Safe Mode, restart your PC or laptop. If you’ve restarted your device but it’s still not out of Safe Mode, take the following steps:
- Open the Run menu (shortcut: press the Windows + R keys simultaneously)
- In the Run text box, type this command: “msconfig”
- Press Enter
- A System Configuration menu will open
- At the top of this menu, click Boot
- Underneath all the Boot options, find the option titled “Safe boot”
- Make sure that this option is unchecked
- Once it is, select “OK”
- Restart your device again
Safe Mode isn’t a feature that’s meant to be used every other day. But, when your PC or laptop isn’t working correctly, this mode can solve the underlying problems.
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
At ipoki.com we only mention the products that we’ve researched and considered worthy. But it’s important to mention that we are a participant of several affiliate programs, including Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate ipoki.com earns from qualifying purchases.
