Windows 10’s safe mode is designed to help in situations where your PC cannot boot regularly. When you boot into safe mode, the startup option starts your computer with only a core set of features and drivers to let you fix various problems without having to reinstall.
When you boot Windows 10 to safe mode, you’re faced with three options. Safe mode with ‘Networking’ includes drivers to allow internet connectivity, other critical drivers, and the usual Windows interface. safe mode with the ‘Minimal’ option loads the smallest number of drivers possible to provide a working OS and GUI. Windows 10 safe mode with ‘Command Prompt’ features a command line and no UI.
Each of these options has its uses, though most just use Safe Mode with Networking. Entering safe mode in Windows 10 can help you with the following problems:
- Uninstalling faulty programs
- Uninstalling faulty drivers
- Repairing a corrupted file system
- Removing particularly invasive malware
- Clearing disk space when you’ve hit the limit and your regular OS hangs up
We’re going to cover three ways to get into safe mode in this tutorial, including how to start Windows 10 in safe mode while booting. When you enter safe mode in Windows 10 via Advanced Startup Options, you’ll be met with the following screen:
How to Boot to Windows 10 Safe Mode with Advanced Startup Options
If you have access to your regular OS, the easiest way to enter Safe Mode is via the Start Menu.
- Open the Start Menu
Press the “Windows” button and click “Power”. Hold “Shift” on your keyboard and click “Restart”.
- Choose Troubleshoot
Your PC will now restart into the blue Windows 10 recovery screen. Click on the “Troubleshoot” option to continue.
- Click “Advanced Startup Options”
- Click on “Startup Settings”
- Click “Restart”
- Choose a Safe Mode version
Your PC will restart to the screen below, with options for various advanced start options. Choose the one that’s most relevant to you by pressing the related number on your keyboard. Your Windows 10 will then boot into safe mode.
How to Start Windows 10 Safe Mode via msconfig
- Open System Configuration
Press “Windows + R” and type “msconfig”. Press “Enter” or “OK“.
- Enable Safe boot in Normal mode
In the “System Configuration” window, select the “Boot” tab. Tick “Safe boot” under “Boot options” and then “Make all boot settings permanent”. Click “OK”.
- Commit the changes
Windows will then ask you to commit these permanent boot changes. Click “Yes”.
- Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Minimal drivers
In the System Configuration Windows’ “Boot” tab, tick “Safe boot” and “Minimal”. Press “OK”. Go to step 7.
- Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Networking
In the System Configuration Windows’ “Boot” tab, tick “Safe boot” and “Network”. Press “OK”. Go to step 7.
- Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Command Prompt
In the System Configuration Windows’ “Boot” tab, tick “Safe boot” and “Alternate shell”. Press “OK”. Go to step 7.
How to Enter Windows 10 Safe Mode via the Command Prompt
- Open Command Prompt
Press “Windows + R” and type “cmd”. Press “OK”.
- Starting Windows 10 in Normal mode
Use this command to get back to regular Windows 10 if you’re in safe mode:
bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safebootContinue to step 6.
- Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode
To start Windows 10 in Safe Mode via cmd, type:
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimalContinue to step 6.
- Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Networking
Alternatively, start it with network features using:
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot networkContinue to step 6.
- Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Command Prompt
You can also start safe mode with command prompt via regular command prompt. For that, enter:
bcdedit /set {current} safebootalternateshell yesContinue to step 6.
- Restart
Reboot your PC and it will automatically start in the safe mode variant of your choosing.
