Summary of How to Boot into Safe Mode
- How do I start Windows 10 in Safe Mode?
- How do I turn on Safe Mode on Windows 10?
- Do you press F8 or F12 for Safe Mode?
- How do I force startup in Safe Mode?
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To enter Safe Mode in Windows 10, the easiest way is to hold the Shift key while clicking Restart from the sign-in screen or Start Menu, then navigate through Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, and press 4 or F4 for basic Safe Mode (or 5/F5 for Safe Mode with Networking). This process accesses the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to select your desired startup option.
Method 1: From the Sign-in/Start Screen (Recommended)
This video demonstrates how to enter Safe Mode using the Shift + Restart method:
44s
Gary Explains
YouTube · Nov 14, 2025
Shift + Restart: On the sign-in screen or Start Menu ( by clicking the user icon and choosing sign out), hold down the Shift key, then click the Power icon, and select Restart.
Choose an Option: Your PC will restart to the “Choose an option” screen (WinRE).
Troubleshoot: Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
Restart Again: Click Restart.
Select Safe Mode: After the next restart, a list of options appears. Press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, or 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking (if you need internet).
Method 2: From Settings (If You Can Log In)
This video shows how to access Safe Mode from the Windows Settings menu:
1m
Dave’s Tech Rescue
YouTube · Mar 19, 2019
Open Settings: Press Windows key + I or go to Start > Settings.
Navigate: Click Update & Security > Recovery.
Advanced Startup: Under “Advanced startup,” click Restart now.
Follow Steps 2-5: Once in the “Choose an option” screen, follow steps 2-5 from Method 1 above.
Method 3: Using MSConfig (For Persistent Safe Mode)
This video explains how to use the MSConfig tool to boot into Safe Mode:
34s
Gary Explains
YouTube · Nov 14, 2025
Run Command: Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
Boot Tab: Go to the Boot tab.
Enable Safe Boot: Check the Safe boot box and click Apply, then OK, and then Restart.
To Exit: Repeat steps 1-2 and uncheck the “Safe boot” option to return to normal mode, then restart.
Related Links
can someone help me get to safe mode on windows 10? – Reddit
Dec 25, 2022 — Press and hold the Shift key while you select Power > Restart . After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen,
Reddit ·
r/pcmasterrace
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Safe Mode is a special diagnostic mode that bypasses Windows Startup files, allowing you to fix problems that are keeping your computer from functioning normally. Only the keyboard, mouse, display drivers and option for networking are loaded when running in Safe Mode. Other devices and peripherals may not be available.
Use the links below to jump to instructions for your Operating System:
Windows 10
For Windows 10: Press the Windows logo key + vowel ‘I’ on your keyboard to open Settings. If that does not work, select the Windows button (former Start button) in the lower-left corner of your screen, then select Settings.
Under PC settings, select Update & Security > Recovery.
Under Advanced Startup, select Restart now.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, on the Startup Settings, you’ll see a list of options. Press the F4 key on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 or Windows 10 will boot according to the setting you selected.
Alternate:
Restart your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select the Power icon > Restart.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, on the Startup Settings, you’ll see a list of options. Press the F4 key on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 or Windows 10 will boot according to the setting you selected.
Windows 8.1/8:For Windows 8: Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
Under PC settings, select Update & Security > Recovery.
Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, on the Startup Settings, you’ll see a list of options. Press the F4 key on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking. or F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 or Windows 10 will boot according to the setting you selected.
Alternate:
Restart your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select Power icon > Restart.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, on the Startup Settings, you’ll see a list of options. Press the F4 key on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 or Windows 10 will boot according to the setting you selected.
Windows 7/Vista:Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start Menu. To do so, click the arrow located next to the Lock icon/button, and click Restart.
As the computer restarts, watch for a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. Press F8 about once every second.
From the Windows Startup menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.
Wait for your desktop to appear, and then make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).
When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.
Alternate:
From the Windows Start menu, click on the Search box, type MSCONFIG and press Enter.
On the BOOT tab, check Safe Boot.
Click Restart when prompted.
Windows XP:Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start Menu. To do so, go to ‘Turn off computer’ and click Restart.
As the computer restarts, watch for a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. Press F8 about once every second.
From the Windows Startup menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.
Wait for your desktop to appear, and then make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).
When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.
Alternate:
From the Windows Start menu, click Run.
In the Open field, type MSCONFIG and click Ok.
On the BOOT.INI tab, check /SAFEBOOT.
Click Restart when prompted.