Windows 10 - How to enter Safe Mode if I can't boot the system
By Renee | 13/Dec/2024
Safe mode is always a good option for fixing that Windows 10 can’t start up like normal, which is usually caused by programs and drivers that might launch by mistake.
The purpose of Safe Mode is to allow you to troubleshoot Windows and try to determine what is causing dysfunction. Once you have corrected the problem, then you can reboot and Windows 10 will load normally.
Now getting into safe mode is just more hidden, so here are the easy ways to boot into it on every occasion you might come across.
This article is written using screenshots from Windows 10, but the techniques work pretty much the same way in Windows 8.
How to boot info safe mode in Windows 10
1. Interrupt the normal boot process when you can’t enter your system in the first place
If your Windows 10 fails to boot normally and you have tried like three times, then just don’t hesitate to boot into safe mode. Pressing Shift+F8 or F8 now might be not working because of fast SSD drive. Actually, in modern PC, at the fourth time, Windows 10 would enter in an Automatic Repair mode.
->Wait for the diagnosing and on Automatic Repair screen, click on Advanced options.
->On next screen, choose Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Startup Settings -> Restart.
->Press F4 to boot into minimal Safe Mode; Press F5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking; F6 to go into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
2. Restart Windows 10 in Safe Mode
Method 1: Press Shift
If you can access one of the Power options, then it is easy to do.
You can restart in Safe Mode by pressing Shift key and click Restart at the same time.
Method 2: Using Start Menu
If you can open the Start menu, you can get into the Safe Mode by choosing Start > Settings cog > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced start-up > Restart now.
Method 3: Use Command Prompt
->Right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu that appears, then click the Yes button if prompted to allow the app to make changes to your PC.
-> Type the following into the Command Prompt window and press Enter key:
bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
You should now be able to enter Safe Mode when restarting Windows 10 by pressing F8 key.
Tips: to avoid such an awkward situation, using Neptune SystemCare Ultimate is strongly recommended. It repairs common computer errors, protects you from crashes and freezes that would prevent your Windows from unsuccessful boots and optimizes your PC for maximum performance.