How to Start or Boot Windows 10 Computer in Safe Mode

Sometimes it is necessary to run Safe Mode on your Windows PC. But with Windows 10, things get complicated.

If your computer does not behave the way you think it does, it can be a good idea to run it in safe mode.

This is practically a stripped down version of a computer with many files and drivers disabled, so you can see if the default settings and drivers of Windows 10 are the cause of some problems. Therefore, if you need to access the Internet or other devices on a shared network from a computer in safe mode, you must select Safe Mode using the network.

Why Run your Windows PC in Safe Mode?

If Windows starts up normally – for example, when you try to start up, only the blue screen appears, or the progress bar never reaches the end of the boot cycle, the perfect starting point is to start the computer with only the base units.

It’s also a great idea to run your computer in Safe Mode if you think it’s infected with malware or that some of the hardware drivers on your computer are affecting its ability to run properly. If you are in Safe Mode, anything that is not absolutely necessary to start your computer will be disabled so that you can identify the problem application and stop the spread of malware on your network if you think you are infected.

If an application conflicts with another application, it is also useful to run it in safe mode. Once you have determined that the blue screen or boot problems are not related to the base files, you can test the other applications to see the cause of the problem and then remove only those apps.

Although running your computer in safe mode may not always solve the problem, it is best if you do not know what is wrong.

Why F8 Won’t Work with Safe Mode Anymore?

In previous versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, you can press the F8 key at the beginning of the boot process to open the Advanced Boot Settings menu, where you can activate Safe Mode. However, in Windows 10, the F8 key no longer works. No matter how many times you try. You must be wondering why this is happening. Was it removed from Windows 10?

In fact, the F8 key is always available to access the Advanced Boot Options menu in Windows 10. But from Windows 8 onwards (F8 also doesn’t work on Windows 8), to speed up boot times, Microsoft has disabled this feature by default. This means that Windows 10 runs too fast so you always have time to interrupt everything. To switch to safe mode with the F8 key, you must activate the feature manually.

How To Enable F8 Safe Mode Shortcut Button

Since F8 safe mode in Windows 10 is disabled by default, you may lose a few seconds at startup by activating the F8 menu from the command line.

1. Start by opening an elevated Command Prompt. Right-click on the Start menu and select Command Line (Admin). In the User Account Control dialog box, select Yes, if possible. The command line should now be open.
2. Enter the following command (or copy/paste):
   • bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
3. To cancel this old order at any time, open a high resolution request following the instructions above and enter the following:
   • bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy standard

So, How Then Could You Start Windows in Safe Mode?

There are several ways to run safe mode on Windows 10, and you can use the one that suits you best, given the nature of the problem with your computer.

Boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10 from Settings

If your computer is running and you see the Windows desktop, you should be able to start the mode without errors through Settings.

1. Open the Settings section of the Start menu.
2. Click the “Update and security” button.
3. Click the Recovery button in the left pane.
4. In the Advanced Startup section, click Restart now.
5. When the computer restarts, the Choose an option screen appears. Click the Troubleshoot button.
6. Click Advanced Settings, Startup Settings, and then Reboot.
7. After the computer restarts, a list of reboot options is displayed. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select “4” (or press F4) to start in safe mode, or select “5” (or press F5) to access the Internet.

Boot into Safe Mode Using “Shift + Restart” on the Windows 10 Sign In Screen

• If you cannot connect to Windows 10 but have access to the login screen, press and hold the SHIFT key on your keyboard. If the button is still pressed, click or press the power key and select Restart in the menu that opens.
• Windows 10 will reboot and prompt you to select the desired option. Select Troubleshoot.
• On the Troubleshoot screen, go to Advanced Options.
• On the Advanced Options screen, select Startup Settings. Depending on your Windows 10 computer, this option may not be displayed first. If not, click or click the Show more recovery options link.
• Finally, click or tap Startup Settings.
• Windows 10 means that the device can be restarted to change advanced boot options, including enabling safe mode. Click Restart.
• After restarting Windows 10, you can select the download options you want to enable. There are three ways to enter safe mode:
  • Standard Safe Mode – Press the 4 or F4 key on your keyboard to start it.
  • Safe Mode with Networking – press 5 or F5.
  • Safe Mode with Command Prompt – press 6 or F6.
• Log in to Windows 10 Safe Mode with an administrator account and make the necessary changes.

Boot into Safe Mode using the Advanced startup tool

If you have successfully completed any of the above steps, your Windows PC should run on a blue screen with the words “Choose an Option”.

• Select “Troubleshoot” from the list of options.
• On the new screen, select “Advanced Options”.
• On the Advanced Options page, search and select “Startup settings”.
• You will then be redirected to the new screen, where you will be prompted to restart your computer.
• After restarting your computer, find and select Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking to start your computer in Safe Mode.

How To Exit Safe Mode in Windows 10

If you need to exit safe mode, simply restart the device or :

1. Press the “Windows Logo + R” button.
2. Enter msconfig in the Open field and press OK.
3. Select the Boot tab.
4. In the Boot Options section, clear the Safe boot check box.

Conclusion

Old Windows Safe Mode boot methods have been released and new ones have been introduced. If you think that the process should be a little easier, we would prefer to accept this, given the importance of safe mode. At this point, however, this is the best way to get through the tires needed to get there.