Safe Mode on Windows helps you to start your PC in a basic format with limited files and drivers. When you activate the Safe Mode on your Windows 10 PC, your screen will display only 16 colors in a low resolution. Further, you cannot print documents and listen to an audio file. The unnecessary programs that run in the background will be closed. There are two types of Safe Modes available on Windows 11 and 10. One is Safe Mode and the other one is Safe Mode with Networking. The safe mode with networking adds the network drivers and services that you need to access the internet.
How to Activate Safe Mode in Windows 10 or Windows 11 from Settings
1. Open the Settings menu by pressing the Windows and I key simultaneously on the keyboard.
2. Tap the Update and Security tile.
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3. Go to Recovery and click the Restart Now under the Advanced startup menu.
4. Wait till your PC restarts.
5. Once your PC restarts, select Troubleshoot under Choose an option.
6. Next, select the Advanced options.
7. Choose the Startup Settings tile.
8. Press 4 or F4 and click the Restart button to restart your Windows 10 in Safe Mode. Press 5 or F5 to start with Safe Mode with Networking.
9. Finally, your Windows 10 will restart in Safe Mode.
How to Activate Safe Mode in Windows 11 or Windows 10 from Sign In Screen
1. First, launch the Sign In screen on your Windows 10 by pressing the Windows + L key.
2. Press & hold the Shift key and select Restart under Power.
3. After your PC restarts, select Troubleshoot under the Choose an Option.
4. Next, click the Advanced options tile.
5. Select Startup settings under the Advanced options section.
6. Press 4 or F4 to start your Windows 10 with safe mode or press 5 or F5 to restart your Windows 10 with safe mode and networking.
7. Finally, click the Restart button to restart your Windows 10 in safe mode.
How to Activate Safe Mode in Windows 10 from a Black or Blank Screen
If your Windows PC is not working or displaying a black screen, you need to activate Safe Mode from the Windows Recovery Environment.
1. Turn off your PC by pressing and holding the Power button for 10 seconds.
2. Once the device is turned off, press the Power button again and turn it on.
3. When you see the sign that Windows has started, press the Power button again and turn off your device.
4. Next, press the Power button again and turn on your PC.
5. Do the same until you get the Preparing Automatic Repair screen.
6. Then, select Troubleshoot in the Choose an option screen.
7. Click Advanced options under the Troubleshoot.
8. Next, tap the Startup Settings tile.
9. Once your device restarts, click the 5 or F5 buttons to enable the Safe Mode.
How to Exit Safe Mode [Windows 10 & 11]
[1] Right-click on the Start button and select Run from the menu or press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command window.
[2] Type msconfig in the box and click the OK button. Now, you will get the SystemConfiguration screen.
[3] Tap the Boot tab and uncheck the Safe Boot box and click the OK button.
[4] Finally, hit the Restart button to restart your Windows 10 or 11 PC in normal mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
On Windows 7, you can tap the F8 key while restarting your PC to turn on the Safe Mode. For Windows 8 and above, you have to execute the command (bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy) in Command Prompt to turn on the F8 key feature.
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