How to Activate Safe Mode in Windows 10

Last Updated: August 24, 2022

Do you need to troubleshoot your computer? It is sometimes necessary to boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode in order to isolate processes or drivers that may be causing problems. When in Safe Mode, Windows 10 does not load all the processes, drivers, and apps that it normally would. Instead, only essential processes and drivers are loaded. This wikiHow article teaches you how to activate Safe Mode in Windows 10 in a variety of ways.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Power Icon

1
Open the Start menu. You can click the Start menu icon or press the Win key.
- If you're not signed in, you can do this from the sign-in screen using the Power icon there.
2
Press and hold ⇧ Shift. It's the key on the left or right side of your keyboard that's below the Enter key or Caps Lock key.

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3
Select Restart. Keep holding the Shift button down as your computer shuts down.
- The screen will change to a blue screen with a few different options.
4
Click Troubleshoot and Advanced Options. The Troubleshoot tile is the last option in the list next to an icon of some tools. Once you click that, you'll need to click Advanced Options to see more.
5
Click Startup Settings and Restart. Your computer will then restart and show you a blue screen with more options.
6
Press 4 or 5. If you press 4, your computer will start in Safe Mode. If you press 5, your computer will start in Safe Mode with internet access.
- If pressing 4 or 5 doesn't work, press F4 or F5 instead.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Settings

1
Open Settings. You can do that by pressing Win + I or by opening the Start menu and clicking the gear icon.
2
Click Update & Security. You'll see this next to an icon of an oval made out of arrows.
3
Click Recovery. It's in the panel on the left side of your screen.
4
Click Restart now. You'll see this under the "Advanced startup" header.
- The screen will change to a blue screen with a few different options as your computer restarts.
5
Click Troubleshoot and Advanced Options. The Troubleshoot tile is the last option in the list next to an icon of some tools. Once you click that, you'll need to click Advanced Options to see more.
6
Click Startup Settings and Restart. Your computer will then restart and show you a blue screen with more options.
7
Select 4 or 5. If you press 4, your computer will start in Safe Mode. If you press 5, your computer will start in Safe Mode with internet access.
- If pressing 4 or 5 doesn't work, press F4 or F5 instead.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Restarting From a Blank or Black Screen

1
Hold down the Power button for about 10 seconds. Your computer will shut down.
- This is helpful if you're stuck on a screen and need to troubleshoot your computer. Turning your computer on and off repeatedly will get you into a Safe Mode.
2
Press the Power button again. Pressing this again will prompt your computer to turn on.
3
Hold down the Power button for about 10 seconds. You can prompt your computer to turn off as soon as you see the startup logo.
4
Press the Power button again. This will turn your computer back on.
5
Hold down the Power button for about 10 seconds. You can prompt your computer to turn off as soon as you see the startup logo.
6
Press the Power button again. This will turn your computer back on in winRE.
7
Click Troubleshoot and Advanced Options. The Troubleshoot tile is the last option in the list next to an icon of some tools. Once you click that, you'll need to click Advanced Options to see more.
8
Click Startup Settings and Restart. Your computer will then restart and show you a blue screen with more options.
9
Select 4 or 5. If you press 4, your computer will start in Safe Mode. If you press 5, your computer will start in Safe Mode with internet access.
- If pressing 4 or 5 doesn't work, press F4 or F5 instead.^{[1]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I turn off Safe Mode in Windows 10?

GaiusG

Community Answer

When you are done with whatever you have been doing in Safe Mode, simply restart the PC and it will boot in the usual way.
Question

How do I turn on safe mode with the Gandcrab Ransomware on my PC?

Community Answer

Use safe mode with command prompt, also you must boot into safe mode from the recovery options menu.
Question

So, I did that first thing in msconfig properly, but it still gives me the blue screen after I have done this - why might that be?

Warrick Cleet

Community Answer

This may be because some of your hardware is dead, such as a graphics card being broken. Try scanning the QR code that the bluescreen provides you.