Safe mode is the indispensable tool to solve any type of computer problem. When there is a system error that seems unsolvable and when there is a malware or virus, we can scan the computer or try to remove the malicious program in this special mode, in which only the essential services are started and it is not possible to do start no process or program programmed in auto-start (in the case of the virus, it will not be immediately loaded into memory). Those who used Windows 7 could start the computer in safe mode during the PC boot process (before seeing the Windows logo) by repeatedly pressing F8 and choosing the special mode. This key does not work on Windows 10, so we will have to use other methods to be able to access safe mode. In this guide we have collected all the methods to be able to enter safe mode on Windows 10 (and for Windows 8.1), so as to choose the one most suitable for the situation or most comfortable to start in case of need.
Enter Safe Mode on Windows 10
As mentioned in the introduction of the guide, there are several methods to start Windows 10 in safe mode . We advise you to learn them all, so that you can always access this special mode in case of problems with computers equipped with Windows 10.Shift key
The first method we can use to enter safe mode on Windows 10 involves the use of the Shift or Shift key when we are in the Windows login screen (therefore we assume that a password or an access PIN is configured for the our account).Once arrived in the login screen, we hold down SHIFT while selecting the item Stop> Restart at the bottom right.
When the computer restarts, the Windows 10 advanced start menu will appear. From here, simply go to Troubleshooting, then on Advanced Options, press on the Startup Settings box and press the Restart button.
In the screen that appears several options will appear, including:
- Activate safe mode
- Safe mode with networking to have access to the Internet or other computers on the network.
- Enable safe mode with command prompt .
From Windows 10 Settings
If the PC provides automatic user access (without password or PIN) and does not present problems at startup, we can also enter safe mode from Windows 10 Settings . We open the Start menu at the bottom left, type Settings then open the app provided by the operating system; from here we go to Settings> Update and Security> Recovery and then press on Restart Now under the Advanced Startup section on the right side.
The computer will restart, so that we can provide the same screen seen in the previous chapter (Advanced Start Menu). To enter safe mode, the steps to follow are the same: let's go to Troubleshooting -> Advanced options, select Startup Settings, press on Restart and use 4 or F4 to enter the special mode.
From msconfig
Another effective way to get into safe mode on Windows 10 is to use msconfig, the boot management tool included with the system. To start it, press the Windows + R keys on the keyboard, then type msconfig in the small text field that will appear. In the new window, go to the Start options tab, apply the check mark on Safe mode, make sure that the Minimum item is selected, then click Apply and OK at the bottom.If we need to connect to the Internet, be sure to select the item Network inside in the Start options.
Now all we have to do is restart the PC, so that we can enter the safe mode of Windows 10.
NOTE : with this change the PC will always enter safe mode even after a restart or shutdown; to be able to start again with the normal mode, we reopen the msconfig window and then remove the check mark on the Safe mode item in Boot Options .
F8 key
It would still be possible to use the F8 key to enter safe mode on Windows 10 if you made a change to the system.Open a command prompt and type the command Bcdedit / set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes .
This will slow down computer startup a little by showing an intermediate screen for choosing the operating system to boot.
To stop viewing the Windows 10 and 8 Boot Manager, type in the command prompt:
bcdedit / set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu no and press Enter.
The same thing also happens using the command bcdedit / set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy which is used to disable UEFI.
PC locked on startup
If the PC does not start, it continually restarts or freezes on a black screen (therefore we cannot even reach the login screen) we can access the Advanced Start Menu by making several interrupted starts, i.e. by turning the device off and on repeatedly.
On desktop PCs we can press the reset button on the computer case 2 times, as soon as we get to the screen where the computer crashes. On laptops, on the other hand, we hold the shutdown button for 10 seconds, turn the machine on again and proceed for at least 2 attempts.
On the third attempt we do not press anything, we simply start the computer and wait for Windows to start the special menu: from here on the steps are identical to those described in the two previous chapters.
In case of non-functioning safe mode
It may happen that, despite the various methods to enter safe mode on Windows 10, our computer decides not to collaborate, not starting the special mode. In this case, the PC is seriously damaged: a non-working safe mode is a symptom of system files damaged by a virus, by an incorrect update or by a sudden shutdown (blackout). Windows 10 is very resistant to this type of damage, but if the safe mode does not start or is blocked, we will have to proceed with a restore of Windows 10 .In this regard, we invite you to read our two guides Ways to repair Windows 10 and create recovery disk and Restore or reinstall Windows without losing personal data, so you can proceed to restore corrupt or damaged system files without losing personal files ( that is, the folders containing the user's files will be saved: documents, videos, music, images etc.).
Conclusions
Entering safe mode on Windows 10 is not so difficult: just follow one of the methods we have described above and we will be able to access it with the same simplicity as we were used to on Windows 7. The methods described also work for Windows 8.1, seen that the advanced boot menu was introduced in this version of the Microsoft operating system.If we need to enter Safe Mode on our Android smartphone, we recommend you read our guide on how to Restart Android in Safe Mode on each smartphone . If, on the other hand, we want to try to recover or start an emergency mode on a Mac, we recommend following the steps described in our guide on how to restart the Mac and restore the correct boot .
