How to Boot Into Safe Mode in Windows 11/10

Is your Windows machine malfunctioning, having driver issues, or isn’t it just working as it should? To solve this, one way could be by booting Windows in Safe Mode, which prevents specific applications and drivers from starting. Previously, Windows used to offer the F8 key functionality to help users quickly boot into safe mode, but it has been disabled, and therefore In this post, I will guide you on how to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

How to Boot Into Safe Mode in Windows 11/10

Various methods could undoubtedly be used for booting Windows into safe mode in Windows 11/10. Here’s the list of all the ways that could be followed to accomplish the task.

1. Bring Back F8 Key Functionality
2. Via Windows Settings
3. Using Sign-in Options
4. Using System Configuration

These are straightforward options, and anybody should be able to get this done.

1] Bringing Back F8 Key Functionality

The F8 Key used to be one of the fastest methods to boot Windows into safe mode previously, but Windows decided to bring it down. However, there’s a workaround using which one could bring back the F8 Key functionality, here’s how:

• Open up Command Prompt in Administrative Mode using the Run Dialog and pressing Control + Shift + Enter or searching for the same in the Start Search Box.
• Copy and paste bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy into the command line and press Enter.
• Now, reboot the PC and before the Windows logo shows up, press the F8 key on the keyboard.
• Then navigate and select Safe Mode and press Enter. Now Windows will boot into Safe Mode.

2] Via Settings

Windows lets one boot into Safe Mode via the Settings Panel, and it’s quite easy. Here’s how to do so:

In Windows 11:

• Open Windows Settings and navigate to System > Recovery
• Locate the Advanced Startup section
• Click on the Restart now button

In Windows 10

• Open Settings in Windows (Win + I)
• Navigate to Update & Security > Recovery.
• Here, Under Advanced Startup, choose Restart Now.
• Once the PC restarts, and from Choose an Option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.

In Windows 10 and Windows 11, a list of options will appear. Choose 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode or select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking. These options appear in the Advanced Recovery > Troubleshoot

3] Using Sign-in Options

In certain instances, when one cannot log in to Windows but can access the sign-in options. There is certainly a way that could be used to access Safe Mode; here’s how:

• On the Sign-in page for Windows, you’ll find a couple of options.
• At the bottom right corner, click on the Power icon and hover your mouse over to the Restart option.
• Here, hold the Shift button on your keyboard and press the Restart button.
• Once the PC restarts, and from Choose an Option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
• Here, a list of options will appear. Choose 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode or select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

4] Using System Configuration

The System Configuration tool in Windows could also lead us to the final destination of booting into safe mode in Windows 11/10. Here’s how to do so:

• Bring up the Run Dialog in Windows (Win + R)
• Here, type in msconfig and press Enter.
• In the System Configuration tool, navigate to the Boot tab. Under Boot options, check the option stating Safe boot, then click OK.
• On being prompted to restart your computer to apply these changes, click Restart, and then you will boot into the Safe Mode.

How to Fix Broken Windows Safe Mode?

Most of the time, Windows Safe Mode is the last resort for novice users to get their windows working when they are unable to log in to their account or often cannot launch any application. The reason for this can be many; most of the time is virus infection or corrupt files. Now, what happens when you cannot launch a safe mode? Please read our guide to learn how one can fix the broken Safe Mode in Windows.

With that said, How often do you boot into Safe Mode, and why? Do let us know by dropping a comment down below.

How Do You Fix a Computer That Only Starts in Safe Mode?

If your Windows PC automatically boots up in Safe Mode and is not normal, you could give Windows’s Startup Repair a try. By recovering the boot files, Startup Repair will automatically address issues that prevent Windows from starting.

How to Turn off Safe Mode Windows 11/10

To disable or turn off Safe Mode in Windows, open the Run Dialog > Type msconfig, select OK > Navigate to the Boot tab > Clear the Safe boot checkbox, and restart your computer.

Can’t Boot into Safe Mode with Windows

Many system problems can be resolved by combining DISM with System File Checker (SFC). Start by opening a new Windows terminal window, type in—DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth—and press the Enter key and wait for the process to complete. Similarly, run the sfc /scannow command, let Windows diagnose issues, and later try booting into Safe Mode