How to Start Windows in Safe Mode

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This wikiHow article teaches you how to start your Windows computer in Safe Mode, which is a boot option that prevents start-up programs from running and loads only the bare minimum programs needed to operate the PC. Safe Mode is a good way to access a computer that would otherwise run too slow to function.

Things You Should Know

  • Suspend BitLocker if you need to.
  • To reboot Windows in Safe Mode, power cycle your computer 3 times, then click "Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > 4/5.
  • Most 3rd-party applications will not work when you boot in Safe Mode.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

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    Go to Manage BitLocker then click on "Suspend protection". If you do not suspend BitLocker protection, then you will be asked for your recovery key to continue booting into safe mode. [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do so by pressing your computer's power button. If your computer is already on but malfunctioning, first press and hold the power button to turn it off.
    • If you're already logged in and you just want to restart in Safe Mode, open the Start menu instead by pressing the ⊞ Win key or by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
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    Once your computer finishes starting (or waking up), you should see a screen with a picture and the time in the bottom-left corner. Clicking this screen will bring up the user selection screen.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This icon, which is in the bottom-right corner of the screen, resembles a circle with a line through its top. Doing so invokes a pop-up menu.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Restart option will appear near the top of the pop-up menu, and you'll find the ⇧ Shift key on the left side of your computer's keyboard. This process will restart your computer and open the Advanced Options page.
    • You may need to click Restart anyway after clicking Restart . If so, keep holding ⇧ Shift while you do.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It should be the middle option on the Advanced Options page, which is a light-blue screen with white text. [2]
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the bottom option on this page. [3]
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    This option is on the right side of the page, just below the Command Prompt option. [4]
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Clicking it will restart your computer to the Startup Settings menu. [5]
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    Once Windows has restarted to the Startup Settings page, pressing 4 will select Safe Mode as your current start-up option. [6]
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    Once it finishes restarting, your computer will be in Safe Mode.
    • Alternatively, power down then power up your computer three times to get the blue startup screen, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > 4 / 5 .
    • To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

From a Blank Screen (Windows 11 & 10)

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    Your computer will shut down. [7]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-13-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-13-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-13-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-13-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Pressing this again will prompt your computer to turn on.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can prompt your computer to turn off as soon as you see the startup logo.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-15-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-15-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-15-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-15-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will turn your computer back on.
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    You can prompt your computer to turn off as soon as you see the startup logo.
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    This will turn your computer back on in winRE (Windows Recovery Environment).
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-18.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Troubleshoot tile is the last option in the list next to an icon of some tools. Once you click that, you'll need to click Advanced Options to see more. [8]
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    Your computer will then restart and show you a blue screen with more options.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-20.jpg\/v4-728px-Start-Windows-in-Safe-Mode-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you press 4 , your computer will start in Safe Mode. If you press 5 , your computer will start in Safe Mode with internet access. [9]
    • If pressing 4 or 5 doesn't work, press F4 or F5 instead.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Startup Key (Windows 7)

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    It's in the top row of keys on your computer's keyboard. To access the Safe Mode option in Windows 7, you'll have to press F8 while restarting your computer. [10]
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    Do so by pressing your computer's power button. If your computer is already on but malfunctioning, first press and hold the power button to turn it off. [11]
    • You can also restart your computer by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, clicking the power icon, and clicking Restart .
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    Do so immediately after your computer begins to turn on. This action will launch the boot menu, which is a black screen with white text. [12]
    • The goal here is to press F8 before you see the "Starting Windows" screen.
    • If nothing happens while pressing F8 , you may need to hold the Fn key while pressing F8 .
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    This key should be on the right side of your keyboard. When "Safe Mode" has a white bar over it, you've successfully selected it. [13]
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    Doing so will both select Safe Mode as your restart option and continue the start-up process. [14]
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    Once it finishes restarting, your computer will be in Safe Mode.
    • To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.
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  • Question
    My PC audio didn't work after I did safe mode. Why?
    Community Answer
    In safe mode, Windows will only boot with core drivers. Your audio may have not booted up in safe mode.
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  • Question
    What is safe mode and how does it work?
    Community Answer
    Safe mode is a stripped down version of Windows. Most people use it to remove viruses. For example, if a virus locked your computer, you could start it up in safe mode to safely remove the virus.
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  • Question
    What should I do if my hard drive is corrupted and cannot open even in safe mode?
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    You need to use a bootable disk or storage stick with emergency startup and repair software.
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      • When you start Windows in Safe Mode, the operating system only loads the minimum of software that is required for the operating system to work.
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      • Restarting your computer again should exit Safe Mode , but if that's not the case, press Win + R , type msconfig and click OK . Once that opens, click the Boot tab and clear the box next to Safe boot and click OK again.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/finding-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-in-windows-6b71ad27-0b89-ea08-f143-056f5ab347d6
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
      7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
      1. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/basic-computer-skills/starting-a-computer-in-safe-mode/1/
      2. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/basic-computer-skills/starting-a-computer-in-safe-mode/1/
      3. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/basic-computer-skills/starting-a-computer-in-safe-mode/1/
      4. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/basic-computer-skills/starting-a-computer-in-safe-mode/1/
      5. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/basic-computer-skills/starting-a-computer-in-safe-mode/1/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Restart the computer.
      2. Click the power icon.
      3. Hold the Shift key as you click Restart .
      4. Click Troubleshoot .
      5. Click Advanced options .
      6. Click Startup settings .
      7. Click Restart .
      8. Press the 4 key.

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