How To Start A Computer In Safe Mode Windows 10 | Boot

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Safe Mode on Windows 10 starts with only core drivers so you can troubleshoot crashes, bad drivers, or login issues.

If your Windows 10 PC keeps crashing, freezes at the sign-in screen, or shows a blank desktop, Safe Mode is often the cleanest way back to a usable system. It loads Windows with a stripped set of drivers and startup items, which means fewer moving parts and fewer places for a broken app or driver to trip you up.

This guide walks you through every reliable way to start Safe Mode in Windows 10, whether you can still reach the desktop or you can’t boot at all. You’ll also learn which Safe Mode option to pick, what to do once you’re in, and how to get back to normal boot without getting stuck in a loop.

What Safe Mode Does In Windows 10

Safe Mode is a diagnostic start-up mode. Windows loads a basic display driver, limited services, and a minimal set of device drivers. Many third-party startup programs don’t run. That changes the problem space in your favor.

If Windows runs fine in Safe Mode, the core system is usually okay, and the trouble is often tied to something that loads during a normal start. That can be a graphics driver, a recent Windows update, a security app, a startup utility, or a device that needs a different driver.

Choose The Right Safe Mode Option

Windows 10 offers a few Safe Mode flavors. Pick the one that matches what you need to do.

Safe Mode Option What It Loads Use It When
Safe Mode Basic drivers, no internet Removing a driver, undoing a change, scanning offline
Safe Mode With Networking Basic drivers plus network drivers You need to download a driver, sign in to a work device, or check a cloud setting
Safe Mode With Command Prompt Command Prompt instead of full desktop The desktop won’t load, or you need command-line repair tools

Before You Boot Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode is built for troubleshooting, so a bit of prep saves time once you’re inside.

  • Save Your Work — Close apps and save files before you restart, since every method below involves a reboot.
  • Know Your Password — If you use a Microsoft account, you’ll still need that password in Safe Mode.
  • Unplug Extras — Disconnect USB devices like printers, docks, and external drives to reduce driver conflicts.
  • Have A Second Device — If your PC has no network in Safe Mode, a phone or another computer helps you grab drivers or double-check steps.

Start A Computer In Safe Mode Windows 10 From Settings

If you can still get into Windows, this is the cleanest route. It uses Advanced startup and lands you in Startup Settings where the Safe Mode options live.

  1. Open Settings — Press Windows + I, then choose Update & Security.
  2. Go To Recovery — Select Recovery in the left menu.
  3. Use Advanced Startup — Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
  4. Pick Troubleshoot — On the blue menu, choose Troubleshoot.
  5. Open Startup Settings — Choose Advanced options, then Startup Settings, then Restart.
  6. Select A Safe Mode Type — Press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or 6 or F6 for Command Prompt.

If you want Microsoft’s current wording for the Startup Settings screen and the number options, the official Windows Startup Settings page matches what you’ll see on most Windows 10 builds.

Boot Safe Mode From The Sign In Screen

If Windows reaches the lock screen but you can’t fully sign in, you can still reach Advanced startup using Shift + Restart. This also works when a driver crash keeps dumping you back to the sign-in screen.

  1. Open The Power Menu — On the sign-in screen, select the power icon.
  2. Hold Shift — Keep Shift held down.
  3. Select Restart — Click Restart while still holding Shift.
  4. Follow The Same Path — Choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, then Restart.
  5. Pick Your Mode — Press 4/F4, 5/F5, or 6/F6 for the Safe Mode option you want.

This method is handy because it doesn’t require you to open Settings or even reach the desktop. If you can reach the sign-in screen, you can usually reach Safe Mode.

Enter Safe Mode When Windows 10 Won’t Boot

When Windows can’t start normally, your goal is to get into the Windows recovery screen (WinRE). From there, you can reach Startup Settings and launch Safe Mode.

Trigger WinRE With Three Failed Starts

Many Windows 10 PCs enter recovery after repeated failed boots. You can force that behavior if the system keeps trying to start and then stalls.

  1. Power On The PC — Start the computer and wait for the spinning dots or the logo.
  2. Force A Shutdown — Hold the power button until the PC turns off.
  3. Repeat Two More Times — On the third start, Windows should load recovery and show “Preparing Automatic Repair” or a recovery menu.
  4. Go To Startup Settings — Choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, then Restart.
  5. Choose Safe Mode — Press 4/F4, 5/F5, or 6/F6.

Use A Windows 10 Install USB If Recovery Won’t Show

If the PC never reaches recovery screens, a Windows 10 installation USB can get you into repair options. You don’t need to reinstall Windows just to reach Safe Mode.

  1. Boot From USB — Insert the Windows 10 installer USB, then use your PC’s boot menu button to start from it.
  2. Choose Repair — On the first setup screen, select Repair your computer (not Install).
  3. Open Startup Settings — Pick Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, then Restart.
  4. Pick A Mode — Use 4/F4, 5/F5, or 6/F6.

If you don’t know your boot menu button, it’s often F12, Esc, or F9, depending on the brand. Many laptops flash the button briefly during power-on.

Use Msconfig When You Can Still Sign In

System Configuration, known as msconfig, can force Safe Mode on the next restart. This is useful when you want Safe Mode every reboot for a short troubleshooting window.

Be careful with this method. If you select Safe boot and forget to turn it off later, Windows will keep starting in Safe Mode until you undo the setting.

  1. Open Run — Press Windows logo + R.
  2. Launch Msconfig — Type msconfig, then press Enter.
  3. Switch To Boot — Open the Boot tab.
  4. Enable Safe Boot — Check Safe boot, then select Minimal or Network.
  5. Restart — Select OK, then restart your PC.

To stop Safe Mode after you’re done, open msconfig again and clear Safe boot, then restart.

Use Command Line Safe Mode If Menus Won’t Load

Sometimes WinRE loads, but the Startup Settings route fails or the PC reboots back into recovery. In those cases, setting Safe Mode via Boot Configuration Data can get you moving.

This is a sharper tool. It works well, but you need to revert the setting once you’re done, or you’ll keep booting into Safe Mode.

Set Safe Mode From Windows Terminal Or Command Prompt

  1. Open An Admin Terminal — In Windows, right-click Start and open Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
  2. Set Minimal Safe Mode — Run: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal
  3. Restart The PC — Restart to enter Safe Mode.

Set Safe Mode With Networking

  1. Run The Networking Command — Use: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot network
  2. Restart — Restart to enter Safe Mode with Networking.

Revert To Normal Boot

  1. Clear The Safe Boot Flag — Run: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
  2. Restart Again — The next boot should be normal.

What To Do Once You’re In Safe Mode

Safe Mode gives you a cleaner start. The next move is to use that clean start to find what broke normal boot. A focused checklist helps you avoid random clicking.

Start With The Last Change You Made

If the problem started right after a driver update, app install, or Windows update, start there. Rolling back one recent change is often faster than hunting for ten smaller issues.

  • Uninstall A Recent App — Open Apps in Settings and remove the program you installed right before the trouble started.
  • Roll Back A Driver — In Device Manager, open the device, go to Driver, then select Roll Back Driver if it’s available.
  • Disconnect New Hardware — Remove a new USB device or internal add-on card, then boot normally to test.

Run Built In Repair Checks

Windows has tools that can repair missing or corrupted system files. The sfc command is a solid first-line check in Safe Mode.

  1. Run System File Checker — Open an admin Command Prompt and run sfc /scannow.
  2. Run DISM Repair — If SFC reports issues it can’t fix, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
  3. Reboot And Test — Restart into normal mode and check whether the issue is gone.

Check Startup Apps Without Guessing

Some boot issues come from startup utilities that hook deep into Windows. Safe Mode disables many of them, so it’s a good time to slim the startup list.

  1. Open Task Manager — Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. Review Startup Items — Go to the Startup tab.
  3. Disable Obvious Extras — Turn off items you don’t use daily, then reboot normally to test.

Scan For Malware With Updated Tools

If the PC behaves like it’s being hijacked, Safe Mode can make a malware scan more effective. Safe Mode with Networking lets you update your security tool first.

  • Update Definitions — Use Safe Mode with Networking so your scanner has current definitions.
  • Run A Full Scan — Run the deepest scan option your tool offers.
  • Remove Findings — Quarantine or remove what the scanner flags, then reboot normally.

Get Out Of Safe Mode Cleanly

Most of the time, exiting Safe Mode is as simple as a restart. If you used msconfig or bcdedit, you must undo the setting or you’ll keep returning to Safe Mode.

  • Restart Normally — Use Start, Power, Restart and let Windows boot as usual.
  • Turn Off Msconfig Safe Boot — Open msconfig, go to Boot, clear Safe boot, then restart.
  • Clear Bcdedit Safe Boot — Run bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot, then restart.

Common Safe Mode Problems And Quick Fixes

Safe Mode is meant to be plain, so a few things can look broken when nothing is actually wrong. Use these checks before you chase a deeper issue.

Wi Fi Doesn’t Work In Safe Mode

Regular Safe Mode often lacks networking. Switch to Safe Mode with Networking if you need downloads or cloud sign-in.

  1. Reboot To Startup Settings — Use the Advanced startup path again.
  2. Select Networking Mode — Press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
  3. Test Ethernet — If Wi-Fi drivers still won’t load, plug in Ethernet for a faster test.

Your Screen Looks Low Resolution

Safe Mode loads a basic display driver. That’s why icons look big and the display feels “zoomed.” It should return to normal after you reboot normally and reinstall or roll back the display driver.

  • Ignore The Zoom — Treat it as a sign Safe Mode is working as intended.
  • Repair The GPU Driver — Reinstall the graphics driver in normal mode once the PC is stable.

You’re Stuck Booting Into Safe Mode Every Time

This usually happens after msconfig Safe boot or a bcdedit change. Undo the setting, then restart.

  1. Clear Msconfig Safe Boot — Windows logo + R, type msconfig, Boot tab, clear Safe boot.
  2. Clear Bcdedit Safe Boot — Open an admin terminal and run bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot.
  3. Restart — Boot should return to normal.

Safe Mode Still Crashes

If Safe Mode crashes too, the issue can be deeper than a startup app. Think storage errors, failing RAM, or a corrupted Windows image.

  1. Run Disk Check — In an admin Command Prompt, run chkdsk /f and accept the reboot check.
  2. Test Memory — Run Windows Memory Diagnostic and follow the reboot prompt.
  3. Use System Restore — In recovery menus, try System Restore to roll back system files and drivers.

Your PC Uses BitLocker And Prompts For A Recovery Code

Some recovery paths trigger BitLocker recovery on encrypted drives. If you see a recovery code prompt, you’ll need the code tied to your Microsoft account or your organization’s device portal.

Once you regain access, avoid repeated forced shutdowns on an encrypted device, since that can trigger more recovery prompts.

A Simple Safe Mode Routine That Saves Time

If you’re troubleshooting on a schedule, stick to a repeatable sequence. It keeps you from changing five things at once and losing track of what actually worked.

  1. Enter Safe Mode — Use Settings or Shift + Restart when possible.
  2. Remove The Most Recent Change — Uninstall the latest app or roll back the latest driver.
  3. Run SFC Then DISM — Repair system files with sfc /scannow, then DISM if needed.
  4. Trim Startup Items — Disable daily-unneeded startup programs and test normal boot.
  5. Reboot Normally — Exit Safe Mode and confirm the fix held.

If your PC boots normally after that routine, you can add things back one at a time and spot the exact trigger. That keeps the troubleshooting clean and repeatable.