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How to Boot into Safe Mode

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SUMMARY
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, and VGA display drivers are loaded when running in Safe Mode. Other devices, including the CD-ROM, parallel ports, and serial ports may not be available.

 
SOLUTION
For each version of Windows, there are two ways to boot the computer to Safe Mode. We suggest that you try the “F8” key method listed first, and use the alternate only if needed (except for Windows 8 and 10).

 

NOTE: If your computer is running Windows NT
Windows NT does not have a Safe Mode option. For more information, see Technical Document 294: How to Boot Windows to VGA mode.

Use the links below to jump to instructions for your Operating System:
Windows 95
Windows 98/ME
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista/7
Windows 8/10

If your computer is running Windows 95

    1. Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start menu, go to Shut Down and click Restart.

 

    1. As the computer restarts, watch for a message that reads Starting Windows 95…

Note: 

    1. You’ll see this message while the screen is still text-only before any Windows splash screens appear.

 

    1. When this message appears, immediately press F8.

 

    1. From the Windows Start-up menu, type the number for the Safe Mode option or press F5.

Note: 

    1. If the Start-up menu does not appear, restart your computer and repeat Steps 1 through 3.

 

    1. Wait for your desktop to appear. Your computer will run slower, and your icons will appear larger with fewer colors. The words Safe Mode appear in all corners of your screen. Make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).

 

  1. When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.

Alternate:

    1. From the Windows Start menu, click Shut Down.

 

    1. Click Restart in MS-DOS mode and click OK.

 

  1. From the C:\ prompt, type WIN /D:M and press Enter.

If your computer is running Windows 98 or Windows ME

    1. Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start menu, go to Shut Down and click Restart.

 

    1. As the computer restarts, press and hold the CTRL key.

Note: 

    1. On some keyboards you can press and hold the flying Window key. On some computers, the F8 key can be used instead of the CTRL key.

 

    1. From the Windows Start-up menu, type the number for the Safe Mode option or press F5.

 

    1. Wait for your desktop to appear. Your computer will run slower, and your icons may appear larger with fewer colors. The words Safe Mode appear in all corners of your screen. Make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).

 

  1. When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.

Alternate:

    1. From the Windows Start menu, click Run.

 

    1. In the Open field, type MSCONFIG and click Ok.

 

    1. On the General tab, click the Advanced button.

 

    1. Check Enable Startup Menu.

 

    1. Click Ok twice and restart your computer.

 

  1. On the Microsoft Windows Startup Menu, use your arrow keys, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.

If your computer is running Windows 2000

    1. Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start menu, go to Shut Down and click Restart.

 

    1. As the computer restarts, watch for the message For troubleshooting and advanced startup options for Windows 2000, press F8 at the bottom of the screen.

 

    1. Press F8 before the message clears the screen.

 

    1. From the Windows Start-up menu, type the number for the Safe Mode option.

 

    1. Wait for your desktop to appear, and then make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).

 

  1. When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.

Alternate:

    1. From the Windows Start menu, click Run.

 

    1. In the Open field, type BOOT.INI and click Ok.

 

    1. At the end of the last line, add a space and type /SAFEBOOT:MINIMAL.

 

  1. Save the file, close Notepad and restart.

If your computer is running Windows XP

    1. Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start menu, go to Turn off computer and click Restart.

 

    1. As the computer restarts, watch for a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. press F8 about once every second.

 

    1. From the Windows Start-up menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.

 

    1. Wait for your desktop to appear, and then make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).

 

  1. When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.

Alternate:

    1. From the Windows Start menu, click Run.

 

    1. In the Open field, type MSCONFIG and click Ok.

 

    1. On the BOOT.INI tab, check /SAFEBOOT.

 

  1. Click Restart when prompted.

 

If your computer is running Windows Vista or 7

    1. Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start menu, click the arrow next to the Lock button, and click Restart.

 

    1. As the computer restarts, watch for a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. press F8 about once every second.

 

    1. From the Windows Start-up menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.

 

    1. Wait for your desktop to appear, and then make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).

 

  1. When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.

Alternate:

    1. From the Windows Start menu, click on the search box and type MSCONFIG and press Enter.

 

    1. On the BOOT tab, check Safe Boot.

 

  1. Click Restart when prompted.

 

If your computer is running Windows 8 or 10

    1. 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.)

      For Windows 10: Press Windows logo + I on your keyboard to open Settings. If that doesn’t work, select the Windows button (former Start button) in the lower-left corner of your screen, then select Settings.

 

    1. Under PC settings, select Update & security > Recovery.

 

    1. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.

 

    1. After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

 

  1. 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:

    1. Restart your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select Power icon > Restart.

 

    1. After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

 

  1. 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.
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