How to Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode in 2023: Easy and Effective Methods

How to Boot Safe Mode Windows 10 in 2023: A Complete Guide

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to use Windows 10 with basic drivers and settings. It can help you troubleshoot problems, remove malware, or restore your system to a previous state. In this guide, you will learn how to boot safe mode Windows 10 in 2023 using different methods, and what to do once you are in safe mode.

What is Safe Mode and Why Use It?

Safe mode is a special way of starting Windows 10 that only loads the essential files and drivers needed to run the operating system. It disables many features and services that are not necessary for troubleshooting, such as networking, sound, graphics, and third-party software.

Safe mode can be useful for various reasons, such as:

Fixing issues that prevent Windows 10 from starting normally, such as blue screen errors, corrupted files, or incompatible drivers.

Removing malware or viruses that interfere with the normal operation of Windows 10 or hide themselves from antivirus software.

Restoring your system to a previous point using System Restore or resetting your PC to factory settings.

Performing maintenance tasks such as disk cleanup, defragmentation, or registry repair.

How to Boot Safe Mode Windows 10 in 2023

There are several ways to boot safe mode Windows 10 in 2023, depending on your situation and preference. Here are some of the most common methods:

Method 1: From Settings

If you can access the Windows 10 desktop and settings, you can boot safe mode from there. Here are the steps:

Click the Start button and select Settings (or press Windows + I).

Click Update & Security > Recovery.

Under Advanced Startup, click Restart now.

After your PC restarts, you will see a Choose an option screen. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

After your PC restarts again, you will see a Startup Settings screen with different options. Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

Method 2: From the Sign-in Screen

If you cannot access the Windows 10 desktop or settings, but you can reach the sign-in screen, you can boot to safe mode from there. Here are the steps:

On the sign-in screen, press and hold the Shift key while you click the Power button > Restart.

After your PC restarts, you will see a Choose an option screen. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

After your PC restarts again, you will see a Startup Settings screen with different options. Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

Method 3: From a Black or Blank Screen

If you cannot access the Windows 10 desktop, settings, or sign-in screen, but you can still turn on your PC, you can boot safe mode from a black or blank screen. Here are the steps:

Turn on your PC and wait for the Windows logo to appear.

As soon as you see the logo, press and hold the power button until your PC shuts down.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times until you see Preparing Automatic Repair on your screen.

Wait for Windows to diagnose your PC and then select Advanced options.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

After your PC restarts again, you will see a Startup Settings screen with different options. Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

Method 4: From System Configuration

If you can access the Windows 10 desktop and run commands, you can boot safe mode from System Configuration. Here are the steps:

Click the Start button and type msconfig in the search box (or press Windows + R and type msconfig in the Run dialog box).
Click System Configuration from the search results (or press Enter).
On the System Configuration window, click the Boot tab.
Under Boot options, check the Safe boot box and select Minimal (or Network if you need internet access).
Click OK and then Restart when prompted.

Method 5: From Windows Recovery Drive

If none of the above methods work for you, or if you want to have a backup option in case of emergencies, you can boot safe mode from a Windows recovery drive. A recovery drive is a USB flash drive that contains tools and files to repair or restore your PC. You can create one using another PC running Windows 10 by following these steps:

Connect a USB flash drive with at least 16 GB of space to another PC running Windows 10.

Click the Start button and type recovery drive in the search box (or press Windows + R and type recoverydrive.exe in the Run dialog box).

Click Create a recovery drive from the search results (or press Enter).

On the User Account Control prompt, click Yes.

On the Recovery Drive window, check the Backup system files to the recovery drive box and click Next.

Select your USB flash drive from the list and click Next.

Click Create and wait for the process to finish.

Click Finish and safely eject your USB flash drive.

To boot safe mode from a Windows recovery drive, follow these steps:

Connect the USB flash drive to your PC that needs to boot into safe mode.

Turn on your PC and press the appropriate key to enter the boot menu (usually F12, F10, or Esc, depending on your PC model).

Select your USB flash drive from the boot menu and press Enter.

On the Choose your keyboard layout screen, select your preferred language.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

After your PC restarts again, you will see a Startup Settings screen with different options. Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

Method 6: From Windows 10 Installation Media

If you don’t have a Windows recovery drive, you can also boot safe mode from a Windows 10 installation media, such as a DVD or a USB flash drive. You can create one using another PC running Windows 10 by following these steps:

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from 25.
Run the tool and accept the license terms.
Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
Select your language, edition, and architecture (or use the recommended options) and click Next.
Select a USB flash drive or ISO file (if you want to burn it to a DVD later) and click Next.

Select your USB flash drive or choose a location to save the ISO file and click Next.

Wait for the process to finish and then safely eject your USB flash drive or burn the ISO file to a DVD.

To boot safe mode from a Windows 10 installation media, follow these steps:

Insert the DVD or connect the USB flash drive to your PC that needs to boot into safe mode.

Turn on your PC and press the appropriate key to enter the boot menu (usually F12, F10, or Esc, depending on your PC model).

Select your DVD or USB flash drive from the boot menu and press Enter.

On the Windows Setup screen, select your language, time currency format, and keyboard or input method and click Next.

Click Repair your computer on the bottom-left corner of the screen.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

After your PC restarts again, you will see a Startup Settings screen with different options. Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

Method 7: From Automatic Repair Mode

If Windows 10 fails to start normally three times in a row, it will automatically enter Automatic Repair mode, which is a recovery environment that can help you fix common problems. From there, you can also boot into safe mode by following these steps:

On the Automatic Repair screen, select Advanced options.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

After your PC restarts again, you will see a Startup Settings screen with different options. Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

What to Do in Safe Mode

Once you are in safe mode, you can perform various tasks to fix your PC issues, such as:

Scan your PC for malware using Windows Defender or other antivirus software and remove any threats found.
Uninstall any recently installed programs or updates that may have caused problems using Programs and Features or Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Update or roll back any drivers that may have caused conflicts using Device Manager or Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.
Restore your system to a previous point using System Restore or Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC (choose Keep my files option).
Run system diagnostics or repair tools using Command Prompt or Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

How to Exit Safe Mode

To exit safe mode and return to normal mode, you can simply restart your PC normally by clicking the Start button > Power button > Restart (or press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click Restart). If you used System Configuration to boot into safe mode, make sure you uncheck the Safe boot box click OK, and then Restart when prompted.

Conclusion:

Safe mode is a useful feature that can help you fix various problems with Windows 10. You can boot safe mode Windows 10 in 2023 using different methods, depending on your situation and preference. Once you are in safe mode, you can perform various troubleshooting tasks, such as removing malware, restoring your system, or repairing your disk. We hope this guide has helped you learn how to boot safe mode Windows 10 in 2023 and what to do next. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below.

Source-

Microsoft Support: How to start your PC in safe mode: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234

How-To Geek: How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwIOazT1BxU

TechRepublic: How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGRVu1qtgUw

PCWorld: How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwIOazT1BxU

Tom's Hardware: How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/start-windows_10-safe-mode,6184.html

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