How to Start Your PC in Safe Mode

What Safe Mode Does and When to Use It

Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup option that loads only the essential drivers and services your PC needs to run. It strips away everything else — third-party software, non-essential Windows services, and most drivers — so you can troubleshoot problems that might be caused by recently installed programs, corrupted drivers, or malware.

Safe Mode is useful when your PC won't start normally, when a program is crashing repeatedly, when you suspect malware, or when you need to uninstall software that won't cooperate in normal mode. It is not a permanent state — you restart normally to return to your usual setup.

There are three Safe Mode variants: Safe Mode (essential drivers only), Safe Mode with Networking (adds network drivers so you can read files or browse), and Safe Mode with Command Prompt (for advanced troubleshooting). Most people use the first or second option.

Key Takeaways

On Windows 10 and 11, press the Windows key and R together, type msconfig, and check the Safe Mode box under the Boot tab, then restart.
If your PC won't start at all, hold Shift while clicking Restart from the sign-in screen to reach the Advanced Startup menu.
Safe Mode with Networking lets you read drivers or files; plain Safe Mode is better for malware removal because it blocks network access to threats.
To exit Safe Mode, open msconfig again, uncheck the Safe Mode box, and restart — or straightforward restart and Windows will boot normally.
If Safe Mode itself won't load, the problem is likely a hardware failure or a corrupted Windows installation, and you may need a recovery disk.

Entering Safe Mode from a Working Windows Desktop

If your PC starts normally but you want to boot into Safe Mode, the fastest route is the System Configuration tool. Press the Windows key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog, type msconfig, and press Enter.

In the System Configuration window, click the Boot tab. Under "Boot options," check the box labeled Safe Mode. A dropdown menu next to it lets you choose between Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Select the one you need, then click explore and OK. Windows will ask whether you want to restart now or later — click Restart to boot into Safe Mode when ready.

Your PC will restart and display "Safe Mode" in the corners of the screen. Log in with your usual password. Everything will look and feel slower because fewer drivers are loaded, and you will see fewer icons in the system tray. This is normal.

Entering Safe Mode When Windows Won't Start

If your PC won't boot into Windows normally, you can still reach Safe Mode from the sign-in screen or the boot process. On the sign-in screen (where you enter your password), hold Shift and click the Power button in the bottom right, then click Restart. Your PC will restart into the Advanced Startup menu.

From the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings. A new screen will list numbered Safe Mode options. Press the number for the Safe Mode variant you want: 4 for Safe Mode, 5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Your PC will restart into that mode.

If you cannot reach the sign-in screen at all — if your PC restarts in a loop or shows only a black screen — you will need a Windows recovery disk or USB drive. Insert it, restart your PC, and follow the on-screen prompts to reach the Advanced Startup menu. If you do not have a recovery disk, you can create one on another PC using the Windows Media Creation Tool (available free from Microsoft's website).

What to Do Once You Are in Safe Mode

Once Safe Mode is running, you can uninstall programs, run antivirus scans, update drivers, or delete files that are causing problems. Many users boot into Safe Mode to remove malware because malware often cannot run or defend itself when non-essential services are disabled.

If you are trying to uninstall a program, go to Settings > Apps > Apps and Features (or Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features on older Windows versions), find the program in the list, and click Uninstall. In Safe Mode, the uninstaller often succeeds where it would fail in normal mode because the program is not running.

If you are running an antivirus scan, open your antivirus software and choose a full or deep scan. Safe Mode gives the antivirus more direct access to files and system areas. If you are updating a driver, right-click the device in Device Manager, select Update driver, and choose to search automatically or browse to a driver file you have downloaded.

Exiting Safe Mode and Returning to Normal Startup

To leave Safe Mode, open the System Configuration tool again (Windows key + R, type msconfig, press Enter). Click the Boot tab and uncheck the Safe Mode box. Click explore and OK, then restart your PC. It will boot normally the next time.

Alternatively, you can straightforward restart your PC without changing the msconfig setting, and Windows will ask whether you want to exit Safe Mode. Click Yes to restart in normal mode. Either method works — the first is clearer because you can see the setting is off before you restart.

Troubleshooting When Safe Mode Won't Load

If Safe Mode itself fails to start — if your PC restarts in a loop, shows a black screen, or displays an error message even in Safe Mode — the problem is usually not software but hardware or a corrupted Windows system file.

Try restarting your PC and pressing F8 repeatedly as it boots (on older Windows versions, this opens the Advanced Boot Options menu directly). If that does not work, insert a Windows recovery disk or USB drive, restart from it, and choose the Repair option. Windows will attempt to fix corrupted system files automatically.

If Safe Mode still will not load after a repair attempt, the issue may be a failing hard drive, bad RAM, or a hardware conflict. At this point, you may need to take your PC to a technician or consider a full Windows reinstall using a recovery disk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Safe Mode delete my files or programs?

No. Safe Mode is a startup option only — it does not change, delete, or modify anything on your PC. When you exit Safe Mode and restart normally, all your files and programs are exactly as you left them. You must manually uninstall a program or delete a file for anything to be removed.

Can I use the internet in Safe Mode?

Only if you choose Safe Mode with Networking. Plain Safe Mode disables network drivers, so you cannot connect to the internet or a local network. Safe Mode with Networking keeps network drivers loaded, so you can browse and read files if needed.

Why is Safe Mode so slow?

Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and services, so your PC has fewer background processes running. This makes it slower than normal mode, but it also means fewer things can interfere with troubleshooting. The slowness is temporary — it goes away when you restart normally.

What if I forget to turn off Safe Mode before restarting?

If you restart your PC while Safe Mode is still enabled in msconfig, it will boot into Safe Mode again. straightforward open msconfig, uncheck Safe Mode, and restart. You can do this as many times as needed without any harm to your PC.

Is Safe Mode the same as a factory reset?

No. Safe Mode is a temporary diagnostic startup that loads minimal drivers. A factory reset erases everything on your PC and reinstalls Windows from scratch. Safe Mode is much less drastic and does not delete any data.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.