Rebooting the computer in safe mode is often necessary to troubleshoot typical Windows problems. For example, if Windows starts to stop, or when you need to remove the virus. OS operation in safe mode is performed using a minimum of necessary services and components. This reduces the likelihood of a failure. Viruses that use the advanced features of modern operating systems will not start in safe mode or will not be able to fully utilize their algorithms.
Windows 7: how to boot in safe mode?
In Windows 7 and OS editions created before it, use the following sequence of actions to enable safe mode:
- Turn on the computer. If it is already running, restart it.
- When the BIOS messages disappear, but the Windows splash screen still does not appear, you need to press the F8 button many times. It is difficult to guess the exact time of pressing, so the first time it may not work. I must say that there are BIOS versions in which the F8 button turns on the boot device selection mode. If this happens, simply set the switch to the hard drive and press ENTER.
- The menu will appear on the display. The text of its paragraphs can be written in Russian or English. There are three lines in the list of boot options that begin with the words "Safe Mode". To start the OS, select any of them and press "Enter." A boot option with command line support is suitable for advanced users. In this mode, even the desktop does not turn on. The whole process is carried out in a program with a text interface. However, nothing prevents the inclusion of the familiar shell. To do this, just enter explorer.exe.
Windows 7: how to boot in safe mode using the Msconfig utility?
The Msconfig utility allows you to configure your computer so that after rebooting it automatically enables safe mode. The sequence of actions can be performed in all editions of Windows, starting with XP.
- Expand Start. In the lower part there is a search field. Enter the text "execute" in it. Move the mouse cursor to the name of the found program and click. The Run utility opens. It can also be started by using WIN + R. In the text box, type msconfig. Click on "OK."
- The application used to configure the system will open. Click the Download tab. When several OSs are installed on the computer at the same time, you must select from the list which of them is configured. Check the box next to the text “Safe Mode” at the bottom of the window. Click on "OK."
- How to restart Windows in safe mode ? Use the ALT + F4 keyboard shortcuts to open the standard shutdown dialog. In the window that appears, switch the selector to the "Restart" item. Click on "OK."
To return to the normal startup type, follow the same steps, but in this case you need to uncheck the "Safe Mode" text.
Windows 10
The usual algorithm, which requires pressing F8, in the latest editions of Windows does not work. However, this version of the OS has a lot more ways to start safe mode than the previous ones. The first method requires the OS to be operational.
- Click the notification center icon. Open All Settings. Go to Update and Security. In the left block of the window, click on the text "Recovery". Click on "Restart."
- In the window that opens, click in turn on the following items "Diagnostics" - "Basic Settings" - "Boot Settings". Click on "Restart".
- Before restarting the computer in safe mode, in the expanded screen, press F4, F5 or F6 on the keyboard.
If the Windows desktop does not start, you can open the boot options on the password entry screen. To do this, click on the power icon in the lower right corner. Press SHIFT and click on the inscription "Reboot".
Boot flash drive
If during boot crashes begin even before the password entry screen appears, you must use a bootable USB flash drive or recovery disk. In its creation, the "Recovery" item located in the "Control Panel" will help. How to restart the computer in safe mode using the recovery disk?
- Boot from the USB drive.
- Use the SHIFT "+" F10 keys to expand the command line.
- Enter the following text into it: bcdedit / set {default} safeboot minimal. Press enter.
- After that, exit the command line (you can use the exit command for this) and restart the PC.
To return to normal Windows mode, also use the command line. You will need to enter the same command into it, but replace the word minimal with safeboot.
Windows 8
How to restart the computer in safe mode if it is running Windows 8? To do this, press SHIFT + F8 on the keyboard immediately after the devices are initialized by the BIOS. This is very inconvenient, because it is difficult to catch the moment before the OS logo appears on the screen. First of all, because now you need to press two buttons, unlike previous versions of Windows. In addition, new algorithms made the transition from initializing the BIOS to loading the OS itself very fast.
How to restart the computer in safe mode if the key combination does not work? Try shutting down your PC incorrectly. For example, unplug it or hold down the power button. After that, the OS will automatically display the menu. To resort to this method should only be in extreme cases.