How to Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode

By: Waseem Patwegar

In case you are looking for a way to Boot your Laptop or Desktop Computer into Safe
Mode, you will find below different methods to Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode.

Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode

Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode

When you start or Boot Windows 10 computer in Safe Mode, it starts with only the
most essential system files and drivers.

This makes it easy to identify programs or drivers that might be causing problems
on your computer.

There are a number of ways to Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode, as provided below.
1. Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode Using Advanced Startup

Perhaps the easiest way to Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode is to make use of the
Advanced Startup Option.

1. Open Settings on your computer and click on Update & Security option.

Update and Security Option in Windows 10

2. On the next screen, click on Recovery in the left pane. In the right-pane,
scroll down and click on Restart Now button located under �Advanced Startup�
section.

Advanced Startup Option in Windows 10 Settings Screen

3. After the computer restarts, click on the Troubleshoot option.

Troubleshoot Option in Windows 10 Startup Screen

4. On the Troubleshoot screen, click on Advanced options.

Advanced Options Tab in Windows 10 Troubleshoot Screen

5. On Advanced Options screen, click on Startup Settings.

Advanced Option Screen in Windows 10

6. On Startup Settings screen, click on the Restart button located at the bottom
right-corner of your screen.

Windows 10 Startup Settings Screen

7. On the next screen, press the F4 key on the keyboard of your computer to Boot
Windows 10 into Safe Mode.

Windows 10 Startup Settings Screen

2. Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode Using System Configuration

Follow the steps below to Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode using the System
Configuration Utility.

1. Right click on the Start button and click on the Run.

Run Command Option in Windows 10

2. On the Run Command Window, type msconfig and click on OK.

Open msconfig Utility in Windows 10 Using Run Command

3. On the next screen, select the Boot tab in top menu and enable Safe Boot with
Minimal options.

Boot Options in System Configuration Screen

4. After selecting Safe Boot and Minimal Options, click on OK to save this setting.

5. On the pop-up that appears, click on Restart to start the process of Booting
your Computer in Safe Mode.

System Configuration Restart Pop-up in Windows 10

6. When the Computer Restarts, click on the Troubleshoot option.

Troubleshoot Option in Windows 10 Startup Screen

7. Navigate to Startup Settings Screen by clicking on Advanced Options > Startup

Settings > Restart

8. Once you reach Startup Settings screen, press the F4 Key to Boot Windows 10 in
Safe Mode.
3. Boot Windows 10 In Safe Mode Using Restart

This method of starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode works both while you are logged in
to your computer and also while you are at the Login screen and unable to sign into
your User Account.

1. Click on the Start Button (1) > Power Icon (2) to activate Startup Options.

Restart Windows 10 Computer

2. Now, hold down the Shift Key on the Keyboard of your Computer and click on
Restart (3) in the Startup Menu.

In case you are unable to login to your computer, you can start your computer in
Safe Mode, right from the Login screen and without being signed in to your User
Account.

To do this, click on the Power Button > Hold Down the Shift Key on the Keyboard of
your Computer and Click on the Restart option.

Windows 10 Safe Mode Using Shift + Restart

3. In both cases, your Computer will Restart with Advanced Startup screen. Click on
the Troubleshoot option.

Troubleshoot Option in Windows 10 Startup Screen

4. Navigate to Startup Settings Screen by clicking on Advanced Options > Startup

Settings > Restart

5. Once you reach Startup Settings screen, press the F4 Key to Boot Windows 10 in
Safe Mode.
4. Boot Windows 10 In Safe Mode Using Recovery Drive

If cannot get to the Login Screen, Booting Windows computer using a Bootable
Windows 10 USB Drive is your option.

In case you do not have a Windows 10 Bootable USB Recovery Drive, you can easily
get one right now by using steps as provided in this guide: How to Create Bootable
Windows 10 USB Drive.

After you get hold of a Windows 10 recovery drive, follow the steps below to Boot
your Windows 10 computer into Safe Mode.

1. Insert Bootable Windows 10 USB Drive into the USB Port of your computer and
Start your computer by pressing the Power button

2. Once the Computer Boots up, select a Keyboard Layout for your computer.

Choose Keyboard Layout in Windows 10

3. On the next screen, click on the Troubleshoot option.

Troubleshoot Option in Windows 10 Startup Screen

4. Next, navigate to Startup Settings Screen by clicking on Advanced Options >

Startup Settings > Restart

5. Once you reach Startup Settings screen, press the F4 Key to Boot Windows 10 in
Safe Mode.

Note: Follow the steps in this guide: How to Enable USB Boot in BIOS, in case your
computer is unable to boot from USB drive.
How to Turn OFF Safe Mode in Windows 10

Once you are done fixing problems on your Computer, it is really important that you
get out of the Safe Mode, otherwise your Computer will continue to boot in Safe
Mode, every time you Restart.

1. Right click on the Start button and click on the Run.

Run Command Option in Windows 10

2. On the Run Command Window, type msconfig and click on OK.

Open msconfig Utility in Windows 10 Using Run Command

3. On System Configuration screen, uncheck the Safe Boot checkbox and click on
Apply & OK.

Turn OFF Safe Mode in Windows 10 Using System Configuration App

Now, when you Restart your computer, it will boot in normal mode.