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 Windows with only the bare minimum drivers and programs needed to run your system. It disables most third-party software, graphics drivers, and network features. You use Safe Mode when your PC won't start normally, when you suspect malware or a bad driver is causing crashes, or when you need to uninstall software that won't cooperate in regular Windows.

Safe Mode is not a repair tool—it is a way to get your PC running so you can troubleshoot what is wrong. Once you identify and fix the problem, you restart normally and Safe Mode closes automatically.

Key Takeaways

Windows 10 and 11 require you to interrupt the startup process or use Settings to reach Safe Mode, since you cannot press F8 during boot like older versions allowed.
Safe Mode with Networking includes internet access; Safe Mode without Networking does not, so choose based on whether you need to read drivers or updates.
If your PC will not start at all, hold the power button for 10 seconds, release it, then power on again and when ready hold Shift while clicking Restart to force the boot menu.
Once in Safe Mode, your screen will say "Safe Mode" in the corners and your resolution may look lower—this is normal and temporary.

Safe Mode on Windows 10 and 11 from Settings

If your PC starts normally but you want to enter Safe Mode, the easiest route is through Settings. Click the Start button, type msconfig into the search box, and open the System Configuration window that appears.

In the System Configuration window, click the Boot tab. Under "Boot options," check the box next to Safe boot. A dropdown menu will appear with three choices: Minimal (Safe Mode without networking), Network (Safe Mode with networking), or Diagnostic (a stripped-down version used mainly by technicians). Select the one you need, click explore, then click OK. Windows will ask if you want to restart now or later—click Restart to reboot into Safe Mode when ready.

When your PC restarts, you will see "Safe Mode" printed in the corners of your screen. Log in with your password as usual. When you are done troubleshooting and want to return to normal startup, open msconfig again, uncheck the Safe boot box, and restart.

Safe Mode When Windows Won't Start Normally

If your PC will not boot into Windows at all, you need to interrupt the startup process. The method depends on whether you see any screen at all. If you see the Windows logo or a spinning circle but the system hangs, hold the power button down for 10 seconds until the PC shuts off completely. Release the button, wait 5 seconds, then power the PC back on.

As soon as the PC powers on, hold down the Shift key and click the Restart button if you see the login screen, or hold Shift continuously if the screen is blank. Keep holding Shift until you see a blue screen with recovery options. Click Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings. Click Restart. Your PC will reboot and show a numbered menu. Press 4 for Safe Mode, 5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

If you never see any screen at all—not even the manufacturer logo—the issue is likely hardware-related and Safe Mode will not help. In that case, contact a technician or the PC manufacturer.

Safe Mode on Older Windows Versions

Windows 7 and earlier versions allow you to press F8 repeatedly during startup, before the Windows logo appears, to reach the Advanced Boot Options menu directly. Timing matters: start pressing F8 as soon as you power on the PC, and keep pressing it every half-second until the menu appears. If you see the Windows logo, you have missed the window and will need to restart and try again.

Once the Advanced Boot Options menu appears, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode with Command Prompt, then press Enter. The system will load Safe Mode and ask you to log in.

What to Do Once You Are in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a workspace, not a destination. Once you are in, you can run antivirus scans, uninstall problematic software, roll back drivers, or delete files that are locked in normal Windows. Open File Explorer, Device Manager, or Control Panel the same way you would in regular Windows.

If you are trying to remove malware, read and run a full antivirus scan using Safe Mode with Networking. If you are trying to uninstall a program that crashes Windows, use Device Manager (right-click Start, select Device Manager) to find and uninstall the driver, or go to Settings > Apps > Apps and features to remove the software itself.

Do not install new software or make major system changes in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is for diagnosis and repair, not for normal use. Once you have fixed the problem, restart your PC and it will return to normal Windows automatically.

Exiting Safe Mode

To leave Safe Mode, straightforward restart your PC. Windows will boot normally and Safe Mode will close. If you used msconfig to enter Safe Mode, remember to uncheck the Safe boot box in msconfig before restarting, or your PC will boot back into Safe Mode again.

If you restart and Safe Mode appears again even though you unchecked the box, open msconfig one more time, confirm the Safe boot option is unchecked, click explore and OK, and restart again. Occasionally the setting does not take on the first try.

When to Call a Technician

If your PC will not enter Safe Mode at all, or if Safe Mode itself crashes or freezes, the problem is likely a hardware failure or a corrupted Windows installation that you cannot repair from within Windows. At that point, a technician can run diagnostics or reinstall Windows from a recovery drive.

If you are not comfortable using Device Manager or editing system files, or if you are unsure what is causing the problem, it is better to have a professional look at it than to accidentally delete something important. Safe Mode is a tool for diagnosis—it is not a substitute for knowing what you are looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Safe Mode delete my files?

No. Safe Mode only changes which drivers and programs load at startup. Your files, documents, and personal data remain untouched. However, if you manually delete files while in Safe Mode, they will be deleted just as they would be in normal Windows, so be careful what you remove.

Can I use the internet in Safe Mode?

Only if you choose Safe Mode with Networking. Regular Safe Mode disables network drivers, so you will have no internet or Wi-Fi. If you need to read antivirus software or drivers, select Safe Mode with Networking instead.

Why does my screen look different in Safe Mode?

Safe Mode uses generic display drivers instead of your graphics card's specialized drivers, so resolution is lower and colors may look off. This is normal and temporary. Your display will return to normal once you restart into regular Windows.

What if I cannot find the Shift+Restart option?

If you see a login screen, hold Shift and click the power icon in the bottom right corner, then click Restart. If your PC will not reach the login screen at all, hold Shift continuously from the moment you power on until the recovery menu appears. It may take 30 seconds or more.

Do I need a password to enter Safe Mode?

Yes, you still log in with your Windows password in Safe Mode. If you have forgotten your password, Safe Mode will not help you recover it—you will need a password reset disk or a technician to regain access.

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.