How To Enter Safe Mode In Windows 10 | Stop Crash Loops

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How To Enter Safe Mode In Windows 10 means opening Startup Settings, then choosing Safe Mode or Safe Mode With Networking.

Safe Mode is the “quiet start” for Windows 10. It loads a small set of drivers and services so you can undo the change that’s breaking startup, remove a troublesome app, or run repairs without a pile of background extras.

If your PC freezes on the sign-in screen, restarts in a loop, or crashes right after you log in, Safe Mode is often the first place that still gives you control. The only real decision is this: can you reach the desktop or sign-in screen, or does Windows fail before that?

What Safe Mode Does In Windows 10

Safe Mode boots Windows with only the basics. You’ll see lower screen resolution, a plain background, and “Safe Mode” text in the corners. That stripped-down boot changes what you can test and what you should save for normal mode.

  • Loads Fewer Drivers — Many graphics, audio, and third-party drivers won’t load, which helps you spot driver-caused crashes.
  • Starts Fewer Services — Most non-Windows services stay off, so you can uninstall software that blocks a normal start.
  • Offers Three Variants — Standard Safe Mode, Safe Mode With Networking, and Safe Mode With Command Prompt.

Safe Mode is meant for short troubleshooting sessions. Make one change, reboot, then see what changed.

Safe Mode Options And When Each One Fits

Picking the right option saves time. If you choose the wrong one, you can end up offline when you need a download, or you can load extra drivers that mask the real fault.

  • Use Safe Mode — Best when a driver, startup app, or recent update is causing the crash.
  • Use Safe Mode With Networking — Best when you need internet or LAN access to grab a driver or installer.
  • Use Safe Mode With Command Prompt — Best when the desktop won’t load, or when you want to run repairs from a terminal.

Entering Safe Mode In Windows 10 From The Sign-In Screen

If you can reach the sign-in screen, this is the cleanest route. You don’t need extra tools, and you don’t need to force power-offs.

  1. Hold Shift — Keep Shift held down on your keyboard.
  2. Select Restart — Click Power, then choose Restart while still holding Shift.
  3. Open Troubleshoot — On the blue screen, choose Troubleshoot.
  4. Open Startup Settings — Choose Advanced options, then Startup Settings, then Restart.
  5. Pick A Mode — Press 4 for Safe Mode, 5 for Safe Mode With Networking, or 6 for Safe Mode With Command Prompt.

Microsoft describes the Advanced startup entry points for WinRE in its WinRE technical reference.

Entering Safe Mode In Windows 10 From Settings

When Windows still runs, use this method to plan a reboot into Startup Settings.

  1. Open Settings — Press Windows + I.
  2. Go To Recovery — Open Update & Security, then Recovery.
  3. Restart To Advanced Startup — Under Advanced startup, choose Restart now.
  4. Open Startup Settings — Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  5. Select Safe Mode — Press 4, 5, or 6.

Using Msconfig To Boot Into Safe Mode Repeatedly

Msconfig is handy when you need Safe Mode across multiple restarts, such as testing a driver change that requires several reboots. Use it carefully, since a forgotten setting can keep looping you back into Safe Mode.

  1. Open Run — Press Windows logo + R.
  2. Launch Msconfig — Type msconfig, then press Enter.
  3. Set Safe Boot — Open the Boot tab, then tick Safe boot.
  4. Choose Minimal Or Network — Minimal is standard Safe Mode; Network adds networking drivers.
  5. Restart — Select OK, then restart when prompted.

When you’re finished, return to msconfig and untick Safe boot so Windows starts normally again.

Entering Safe Mode In Windows 10 When Windows Won’t Boot

If Windows can’t reach the sign-in screen, your goal is to reach the recovery screens (WinRE), then open Startup Settings. There are two common paths: trigger WinRE automatically, or boot a Windows installer USB and use its repair tools.

Trigger Recovery Screens With Interrupted Boots

This method uses a standard recovery pattern. Start the PC, interrupt the boot, repeat, then Windows usually offers repair options.

  1. Turn On The PC — Press Power to start the device.
  2. Force A Shutdown — When you see the Windows logo or spinning dots, hold Power until it turns off.
  3. Repeat Two More Times — Do the same shutdown during boot two more times.
  4. Wait For Repair — On the next start, you should see Preparing Automatic Repair.
  5. Open Startup Settings — Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4, 5, or 6.

Use A Windows Install USB To Reach Repair Tools

If interrupted boots never show recovery screens, installation media is the fallback. You’re not reinstalling here; you’re using the “Repair your computer” link.

  1. Boot From USB — Plug in the Windows installer USB, then boot to it using your device’s boot menu button.
  2. Select Repair — On the setup screen, choose Repair your computer.
  3. Open Startup Settings — Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  4. Select A Mode — Press 4, 5, or 6.

If your device asks for a BitLocker recovery code, you’ll need to enter it before some repair screens continue.

Safe Mode Entry Methods At A Glance

This table matches common situations to the fastest entry path. Each route ends at Startup Settings, then 4, 5, or 6.

Method Best When What You Do
Shift + Restart You can reach sign-in Hold Shift, restart, then Startup Settings
Settings > Recovery Windows still runs Advanced startup, then Startup Settings
Msconfig Safe boot You need repeated Safe Mode boots Tick Safe boot, reboot, untick when done
Interrupted boots Windows won’t boot Force repair screens, then Startup Settings
Install USB repair Repair screens won’t appear Boot USB, Repair your computer, Startup Settings

What To Do Once You’re In Safe Mode

Safe Mode gets you in. Next comes the fix. Keep it tight: change one thing, reboot, and see whether the crash loop is gone.

Undo The Most Recent Change

  • Remove Recent Apps — Open Settings > Apps, sort by install date, uninstall the last item added before the crashes.
  • Roll Back A Driver — Open Device Manager, open the device, then use Driver > Roll Back Driver when available.
  • Disable Startup Items — Open Task Manager > Startup, disable non-Windows items that start with Windows, then reboot.

Run Windows Repair Commands From Command Prompt

When crashes feel like corrupted system files, run these checks in Safe Mode With Command Prompt. Keep the laptop plugged in, since the repairs can take time.

  1. Run System File Checker — Type sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
  2. Repair Component Files — Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, then run SFC again.
  3. Scan The Disk — Type chkdsk /scan to scan for file-system issues.

Use System Restore When A Driver Or Update Caused The Crash

System Restore rolls system files and settings back to an earlier restore point without touching your personal files. It’s a strong move when a driver update or Windows update starts the crashes.

  1. Restart To Advanced Startup — Use Shift + Restart or Settings > Recovery to reach recovery screens.
  2. Select System Restore — Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
  3. Pick A Restore Point — Choose a point from before the trouble started, then follow the prompts.

If you need deeper boot troubleshooting steps beyond Safe Mode, Microsoft’s Windows boot issues troubleshooting guide maps out common boot failure paths.

How To Exit Safe Mode And Return To Normal Boot

Leaving Safe Mode is usually just a restart. If the PC keeps returning to Safe Mode, msconfig is the first thing to check.

  1. Restart The PC — Use Start > Power > Restart.
  2. Untick Safe Boot In Msconfig — Press Windows logo + R, type msconfig, open Boot, untick Safe boot, then restart.
  3. Remove Safeboot From Bcdedit — If you set Safe Mode through a terminal, run bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot, then reboot.

Common Snags And Fixes That Save Time

Safe Mode can still throw curveballs. These are the problems that most often block people, plus the fixes that tend to work.

Startup Settings Is Missing

Some recovery menus look different by device. If you don’t see Startup Settings, choose Advanced options and scan again. If you only see firmware options, back out and return to Advanced options.

  • Retry Shift + Restart — Use the sign-in method when Windows is reachable.
  • Boot Install Media — Use a Windows installer USB, then choose Repair your computer.
  • Check UEFI Settings — If USB won’t boot, adjust boot order in firmware, then retry.

Safe Mode With Networking Has No Internet

Networking in Safe Mode is limited. Wi-Fi can fail to load, and VPN apps often don’t run.

  • Try Ethernet — Wired internet is more likely to work than Wi-Fi.
  • Restart Once — Reboot inside Safe Mode With Networking and test again.
  • Use A USB Transfer — Download drivers on another device, then copy them over.

You Can’t Sign In In Safe Mode

If your PIN won’t work, switch to your account password. Some sign-in methods can be blocked until you’re back in a normal boot.

  • Choose Password Sign-In — On the sign-in screen, select Sign-in options and pick Password.
  • Unplug Extras — Disconnect docks and USB devices that can cause driver hangs.
  • Use Command Prompt Mode — Enter Safe Mode With Command Prompt to run repairs, then reboot.

BitLocker Code Prompt Blocks Progress

If you see a BitLocker code prompt, the drive is encrypted. You’ll need the recovery code to continue through some repair screens.

  • Check Your Microsoft Account — Many personal PCs store the recovery code with the account used during setup.
  • Ask Work IT — Business devices often store codes in company systems.
  • Store It Safely — Keep the recovery code somewhere you can reach during a failed boot.

A Simple Safe Mode Flow When You’re Not Sure Where To Start

If you want a clean plan that avoids guesswork, use this order. It keeps changes small and gives you a clear checkpoint after each step.

  1. Try Shift + Restart — Use it from sign-in when possible.
  2. Uninstall The Newest Change — Remove the last app, driver, or startup item added before the crashes.
  3. Run Sfc — Use sfc /scannow to scan system files.
  4. Reboot Normally — Restart and test a normal boot.
  5. Use Restore Or Repair — If normal mode still fails, return to recovery screens for System Restore or Startup Repair.

Once Windows boots normally again, update drivers, remove leftover startup items, and create a restore point. That way the next bad update is easier to undo.