√ How to Enable Safe Mode on a Windows PC

Understanding Safe Mode on Windows

Safe Mode is a vital troubleshooting feature in Windows that starts your system with minimal drivers and services. It's used to diagnose and fix issues such as malware infections, driver conflicts, or software problems. By booting into Safe Mode, you reduce the system complexity, making it easier to isolate the root cause of a malfunction.

Why You Might Need Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode is helpful in a variety of situations, including:

Removing persistent malware
Undoing faulty driver or software installations
Diagnosing hardware failures
System recovery and repair
Reverting bad Windows Updates

Methods to Enter Safe Mode on Windows

There are multiple ways to enable Safe Mode on Windows, depending on whether your system is functioning or not.

Method 1: Using System Configuration (msconfig)

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Type msconfig and press Enter.
Go to the Boot tab.
Check Safe boot and select Minimal.
Click Apply and OK.
Restart your PC.

Method 2: From the Sign-In Screen

Hold the Shift key and click Power > Restart from the login screen.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
When prompted, press 4 to boot into Safe Mode.

Method 3: Using Windows Settings

Open Settings > Update & Security.
Select Recovery.
Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
After reboot, follow the steps to choose Startup Settings and press 4 or F4.

Method 4: Interrupting Boot Three Times

If Windows won’t start normally:

Turn off your PC during the boot process three times to trigger Automatic Repair.
Click Advanced options.
Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
Click Restart and then press 4 to enter Safe Mode.

Exiting Safe Mode

To boot normally again:

Open the Run dialog using Windows + R.
Type msconfig and go to the Boot tab.
Uncheck Safe boot, click Apply and then OK.
Restart your PC.

Safe Mode Options Explained

Option	Description	Networking	Command Prompt	Use Case
Safe Mode	Basic mode with essential drivers	No	No	Basic Troubleshooting
Safe Mode with Networking	Includes network drivers and services	Yes	No	Internet troubleshooting, updates
Safe Mode with Command Prompt	No GUI; command-line only	No	Yes	Advanced fixes via CLI

Extra Tip: Use a Recovery Drive

If your PC is badly corrupted:

Create a recovery USB drive using another computer to boot and access troubleshooting options, including Safe Mode.
Microsoft Support

What to Do in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you can:

Scan for malware using tools like Malwarebytes
Uninstall problematic drivers or apps
Restore your system to a previous restore point
Check hardware status via Device Manager
Use Command Prompt for system repairs

What if Safe Mode doesn't work?

If Safe Mode fails, try using the Recovery Environment via a bootable USB or reinstalling Windows completely.

Top 5 FAQs About Safe Mode on Windows

Can I access the internet in Safe Mode?

Only if you select "Safe Mode with Networking." Standard Safe Mode disables internet access.

Does Safe Mode delete files?

No, it does not delete any files. It only loads essential system files and services.

How can I tell I'm in Safe Mode?

You'll see "Safe Mode" displayed in the corners of your screen and experience a lower resolution display.

Can I use antivirus software in Safe Mode?

Yes, many antivirus programs support running in Safe Mode for deeper scans, especially Malwarebytes or Windows Defender.

What if I can’t access Safe Mode at all?

Create a bootable recovery drive from another PC or seek professional technical support.