HomeWinBuzzer TipsWindows 10: How to Boot to Safe Mode with Advanced Startup Options

Windows 10: How to Boot to Safe Mode with Advanced Startup Options

When Windows 10 crashes, hangs or does not boot, safe mode can help to fix the problem. We show you three ways to boot Windows 10 into safe mode.

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'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:

Starting Windows 10 In Safe Mode With Advanced_Startup_Options_001_winbuzzer

 

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.

  1. Open the Start Menu

    Press the “Windows” button and click “Power”. Hold “Shift” on your keyboard and click “Restart”.

    Windows 10 – Start Menu – Power – Restart

  2. Choose Troubleshoot

    Your PC will now restart into the blue Windows 10 recovery screen. Click on the “Troubleshoot” option to continue.

    Windows 10 – Recovery – Troubleshoot

  3. Click “Advanced Startup Options”

    Windows 10 – Recovery – Advanced Options

  4. Click on “Startup Settings”

    Windows 10 – Advanced Options – Startup Settings

  5. Click “Restart”

    Windows 10 – Recovery – Advanced Options – Startup Options – Restart

  6. 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.

    Windows 10 – Advanced Startup Options – Safe Mode

How to Start Windows 10 Safe Mode via msconfig

  1. Open System Configuration

    Press “Windows + R” and type “msconfig”. Press “Enter” or “OK“.

    Run – msconfig

  2. 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”.

    Windows 10 – System Configuration – Boot – Safe boot

  3. Commit the changes

    Windows will then ask you to commit these permanent boot changes. Click “Yes”.

    Windows 10 – System Configuration – Boot Changes

  4. 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.

    WIndows 10 – System Configuration – Safe boot – Minimal

  5. 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.

    WIndows 10 – System Configuration – Safe boot – Networkl

  6. 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.

    Windows 10 – System Configuration – Restart

How to Enter Windows 10 Safe Mode via the Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt

    Press “Windows + R” and type “cmd”. Press “OK”.

    Windows 10 – Run – Cmd

  2. 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} safeboot

    Continue to step 6.

  3. Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode

    To start Windows 10 in Safe Mode via cmd, type:
    bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal

    Continue to step 6.

  4. Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Networking

    Alternatively, start it with network features using:

    bcdedit /set {current} safeboot network

    Continue to step 6.

  5. 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 yes

    Continue to step 6.

  6. Restart

    Reboot your PC and it will automatically start in the safe mode variant of your choosing.

Ryan Maskell
Ryan Maskellhttps://ryanmaskell.co.uk
Ryan has had a passion for gaming and technology since early childhood. Fusing the skills from his Creative Writing and Publishing degree with profound technical knowledge, he enjoys covering news about Microsoft. As an avid writer, he is also working on his debut novel.
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