Driver Talent Blog

How to Enter Safe Mode in Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP

There are multiple reasons that you need to enter Safe Mode to troubleshoot your Windows issues, such as deleting obstinate files, removing rogue security software, killing viruses, etc.

What Is Safe Mode

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode for Windows system that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started.

How to Enter Safe Mode

You can perform the steps below to enter Safe mode in different version of Windows system, including Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

1. Enter Safe Mode in Windows 10

There are two versions of safe mode: Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking. They’re quite similar, but Safe Mode with Networking includes the network drivers and services you’ll need to access the Internet and other computers on your network.

Follow the easy steps below to enter Safe mode in Windows 10:

From Settings

Step 1. Click the Start button, and then select Settings.

Step 2. Choose Update & security > Recovery.

Step 3. Choose Restart now under Advanced startup.

Step 4. After your computer restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Step 5. After your computer restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Choose 4 or F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode. Or if you’ll need to use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

From the Sign–in Screen

Step 1. Reboot your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select Power > Restart.

Step 2. After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings >Restart.

Step 3. After your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select 4 or F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode. Or if you’ll need to use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

From Power Button on Computer

Step 1. Shut down by hold the power button and then repeat this over 3 times until you see the Recovery screen.

Step 2. Click the buttons See advanced repair options> Troubleshoot> Advanced options> Windows Startup Settings> Restart.

Step 3. Press F4/F5 to Enter Safe Mode (with Networking).

2. Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 8.1/8

Here’s how to boot into Safe mode in Windows 8.1 or Windows 8:

Step 1. From the Windows Start screen, type Advanced startup and when the search results appear, click on the Settingscategory and then click on the Advanced startup options search option.

Step 2.When the Settings screen opens, scroll down and click on the Restart now button under the Advanced Startup category and your computer will restart.

Step 3.When the Advance startup menu appears, click on the Troubleshoot option.

Step 4.Then click on the Advanced Options button.

Step 5.Finally click on the Startup Settings option and then click on the Restart button. Your computer will now restart again.

Step 6.When you get to the Startup Settings screen, press the number for the Safe Mode option you wish to use.

3. Enter Safe Mode in Windows 7/Vista/XP

To enter safe mode in Windows 7 or below Windows 7 version, you could use F8 method.

Step 1. Reboot your computer.

Step 2. When the computer starts, you will see your computer’s hardware being listed. When you see this information, start to gently tap the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly until you are presented with the Windows 7 Advanced Boot Options screen. Refer to the image below.

Step 3. Using the arrow keys, select the Safe Mode option you want.

Step 4. Then press the Enter key on your keyboard to boot into Windows 7 Safe Mode.

Step 5. When Windows starts, you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer and Windows 7 will enter Safe Mode.

Step 6. Do whatever tasks you require, and when you are done, restart to go back into normal mode.

Alternatively, you could try below steps to enter Safe Mode in Windows 7 or below version.

Step 1. Click Start button, type msconfig, and launch the resulting program.

Step 2. Click the Boot tab.

Step 3. Check the Safe boot option.

Step 4. Select an option below that. Safe boot brings you to the standard Safe Mode. With networking does exactly what you think it does.

Step 5. Click OK, and then Restart.