Does your PC freeze or has malware partially taken over your computer? Then you can check in the safe mode of Windows 10 if there is still something to salvage. How do you actually get into safe mode? In the past this was very easy via the F8 button when your PC was starting up, but nowadays that is no longer possible. Windows 10 in safe mode can be started in many different ways. Here you will find them.
How do I start Windows 10 in safe mode?
- click on Start
- Institutions
- Update & Security / System Restore
- Then click on the option Restart now under the heading Advanced Boot Options.
- After your PC restarts and the Choose an option screen appears, click Troubleshooting / Advanced Options / Startup Settings / Restart
- Your PC will now reboot again, after which a list of options will be shown Option 4 (or F4) let you boot the PC in safe mode, option 5 or (F5) lets you boot your PC in Safe Mode with Networking.
What is safe mode?
Safe Mode provides a simplified Windows environment with limited functionality and low resolution, which is useful for diagnostic and repair purposes. If something goes wrong on your PC, it can be a handy mode to use. For example, if you still can't uninstall a program, it may work in safe mode.
Admittedly, in Windows 10 it is much less necessary to boot your PC in safe mode. But much less often does not mean never. Fortunately, Microsoft has only hidden it, not made it impossible. You can boot Windows in safe mode from two locations.
Why safe mode?
With Windows safe mode, the operating system boots with as few background processes as possible. This can be useful, as a process may be causing Windows not to start normally, or to frequent crashes or 'blue screens of death'. This can be caused by a number of factors: a driver that has had a wrong update, a PC component that has become defective or a malware infection. By booting in safe mode you get the possibility to, for example, back up files or diagnose what is wrong with the system.
Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode from Settings
Press the button Start and then Institutions in the menu that appears. A window will now open (Settings) in which you can choose the option Update & Security / System Restore. Then click on the option Restart now under the heading Advanced Boot Options. After your PC restarts and the Choose an option screen appears, click Troubleshooting / Advanced Options / Startup Settings / Restart. The PC will now restart again, after which a list of options will be shown. Option 4 (or F4) let you boot the PC in safe mode, option 5 or (F5) lets you boot your PC in Safe Mode with Networking.
Boot Windows 10 in safe mode from the login screen
Even though it no longer works with F8, there is still a way to get Windows to start in safe mode by pressing a key during startup. Restart the PC. When the login screen is displayed, press and hold the shift-key and click Power / Restart. Now the process works the same as with the other option: the PC will now restart again, after which a list of options is shown. Option 4 (or F4) let you boot the PC in safe mode, option 5 or (F5) lets you boot your PC in Safe Mode with Networking.
Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode with msconfig
Windows 10 safe mode can also be activated via the built-in system configuration. To do this, press Windows key + R, type msconfig and press Enter. You can also use the search function of Windows 10, msconfig typing and System Configuration select. In the tab Boot your computer can you check the box at the bottom left? Boot in safe mode, and you can even choose some extra options. The next time you restart your PC it will be in safe mode. Do you want to start normally again? Then repeat the steps and remove the check mark.
