How to Start Windows in Safe Mode

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow article teaches you how to start your Windows computer in Safe Mode, which is a boot option that prevents start-up programs from running and loads only the bare minimum programs needed to operate the PC. Safe Mode is a good way to access a computer that would otherwise run too slow to function.

Things You Should Know

Suspend BitLocker if you need to.
To reboot Windows in Safe Mode, power cycle your computer 3 times, then click "Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > 4/5.
Most 3rd-party applications will not work when you boot in Safe Mode.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

From the Login Screen (Windows 11, 10, & 8)

1
Suspend BitLocker protection (if enabled). Go to Manage BitLocker then click on "Suspend protection". If you do not suspend BitLocker protection, then you will be asked for your recovery key to continue booting into safe mode.
2
Turn on or restart your computer. Do so by pressing your computer's power button. If your computer is already on but malfunctioning, first press and hold the power button to turn it off.
- If you're already logged in and you just want to restart in Safe Mode, open the Start menu instead by pressing the ⊞ Win key or by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
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3
Click the start-up screen. Once your computer finishes starting (or waking up), you should see a screen with a picture and the time in the bottom-left corner. Clicking this screen will bring up the user selection screen.
4
Click the power icon. This icon, which is in the bottom-right corner of the screen, resembles a circle with a line through its top. Doing so invokes a pop-up menu.
5
Hold down ⇧ Shift and click Restart. The Restart option will appear near the top of the pop-up menu, and you'll find the ⇧ Shift key on the left side of your computer's keyboard. This process will restart your computer and open the Advanced Options page.
- You may need to click Restart anyway after clicking Restart. If so, keep holding ⇧ Shift while you do.
6
Click Troubleshoot. It should be the middle option on the Advanced Options page, which is a light-blue screen with white text.
7
Click Advanced options. It's the bottom option on this page.
8
Click Startup Settings. This option is on the right side of the page, just below the Command Prompt option.
9
Click Restart. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Clicking it will restart your computer to the Startup Settings menu.
10
Press the 4 key. Once Windows has restarted to the Startup Settings page, pressing 4 will select Safe Mode as your current start-up option.
11
Wait for your computer to finish restarting. Once it finishes restarting, your computer will be in Safe Mode.
- Alternatively, power down then power up your computer three times to get the blue startup screen, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > 4 / 5.^{[1]
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- To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

From a Blank Screen (Windows 11 & 10)

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 (Windows Recovery Environment).
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.^{[2]
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  Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
  Go to source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Startup Key (Windows 7)

1
Locate the F8 key. It's in the top row of keys on your computer's keyboard. To access the Safe Mode option in Windows 7, you'll have to press F8 while restarting your computer.
2
Turn on your computer. Do so by pressing your computer's power button. If your computer is already on but malfunctioning, first press and hold the power button to turn it off.
- You can also restart your computer by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, clicking the power icon, and clicking Restart.
3
Repeatedly press F8. Do so immediately after your computer begins to turn on. This action will launch the boot menu, which is a black screen with white text.
- The goal here is to press F8 before you see the "Starting Windows" screen.
- If nothing happens while pressing F8, you may need to hold the Fn key while pressing F8.
4
Press the ↓ key until "Safe Mode" is selected. This key should be on the right side of your keyboard. When "Safe Mode" has a white bar over it, you've successfully selected it.
5
Press ↵ Enter. Doing so will both select Safe Mode as your restart option and continue the start-up process.
6
Wait for your computer to finish restarting. Once it finishes restarting, your computer will be in Safe Mode.
- To exit Safe Mode, restart your computer normally.

Community Q&A

Question

My PC audio didn't work after I did safe mode. Why?

Community Answer

In safe mode, Windows will only boot with core drivers. Your audio may have not booted up in safe mode.
Question

What is safe mode and how does it work?

Community Answer

Safe mode is a stripped down version of Windows. Most people use it to remove viruses. For example, if a virus locked your computer, you could start it up in safe mode to safely remove the virus.
Question

What should I do if my hard drive is corrupted and cannot open even in safe mode?

Community Answer

You need to use a bootable disk or storage stick with emergency startup and repair software.