How to Boot Into Safe Mode on Windows 10 and 11

Published 2026-10-16 · LuxuriousComputers Repair

Safe Mode starts Windows with only the essential drivers and services needed to run the operating system. Third-party software, most hardware drivers, and startup programs do not load. This makes Safe Mode the go-to environment for troubleshooting problems that prevent Windows from running normally — malware that blocks normal boot, a bad driver that causes a blue screen, a program that crashes the system on startup, or a configuration change that made Windows unstable.

When to use Safe Mode

• Blue screen loops. Windows crashes with a blue screen every time it starts, and you cannot get to the desktop. Safe Mode bypasses the driver or service causing the crash
• Malware removal. Malware that resists removal in normal Windows often cannot run in Safe Mode because its startup hooks and services do not load. Antivirus scans in Safe Mode catch malware that hides during normal operation
• Driver problems. A newly installed driver (GPU, audio, network) causes instability, black screens, or crashes. Safe Mode loads generic drivers instead, letting you uninstall or roll back the problem driver
• Software conflicts. A recently installed program causes Windows to freeze, crash, or behave erratically. Safe Mode lets you uninstall it without it running and interfering
• System Restore. If you need to run System Restore but cannot get to the desktop in normal mode, Safe Mode provides access to System Restore through the Control Panel

Safe Mode vs Safe Mode with Networking

Windows offers three Safe Mode options:

• Safe Mode: Minimal drivers and services. No network access. Best for malware removal (prevents malware from communicating with external servers) and basic troubleshooting
• Safe Mode with Networking: Same minimal environment but includes network drivers and services. Use this when you need internet access in Safe Mode — downloading driver updates, running online virus scans, or accessing network resources
• Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Boots to a command prompt instead of the desktop. Useful for advanced troubleshooting when the desktop environment itself is part of the problem (corrupted Explorer shell, for example)

Method 1: From Settings (Windows is running normally)

If Windows boots to the desktop and you want to restart into Safe Mode:

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I)
2. Go to System, Recovery (Windows 11) or Update and Security, Recovery (Windows 10)
3. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now
4. The computer restarts to a blue Choose an option screen. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings, then Restart
5. After the restart, a numbered list appears. Press 4 for Safe Mode, 5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Method 2: From the sign-in screen

If you can get to the Windows login screen but cannot sign in:

1. Hold the Shift key and click the Power icon in the bottom-right corner of the sign-in screen
2. While still holding Shift, click Restart
3. The computer restarts to the Choose an option screen. Follow the same path: Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, Restart, then press 4, 5, or 6

Method 3: Interrupt boot (Windows won't start at all)

If Windows cannot boot to the desktop or the sign-in screen — it crashes to a blue screen, freezes on the loading animation, or goes to a black screen — you can force the Recovery Environment:

1. Press the power button to turn on the computer
2. When the Windows logo appears (or the spinning dots animation starts), press and hold the power button until the computer shuts off (about 5 seconds)
3. Repeat this two more times — power on, wait for the logo, force shut down
4. On the third or fourth power-on, Windows detects the repeated boot failures and automatically enters the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
5. From WinRE: Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, Restart. Then press 4 or 5 for Safe Mode

This method works because Windows tracks failed boot attempts. Three consecutive failures trigger the automatic recovery path.

Method 4: From a Windows installation USB

If none of the above methods work (the Recovery Environment is damaged or missing):

1. Create a Windows installation USB on another computer using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool
2. Insert the USB and boot from it (change the boot order in BIOS if needed — press Delete, F2, or F12 during startup)
3. On the Windows Setup screen, click Next, then click Repair your computer in the bottom-left corner
4. Select Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Command Prompt
5. In the command prompt, type bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal for Safe Mode, or bcdedit /set {default} safeboot network for Safe Mode with Networking, and press Enter
6. Type exit and restart the computer. It boots into Safe Mode
7. Important: after you are done troubleshooting, you must remove the Safe Mode boot flag or Windows will boot into Safe Mode every time. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot

What to do in Safe Mode

Once in Safe Mode, the desktop looks different — the wallpaper is replaced with a black background and Safe Mode is displayed in each corner. Here is what you can accomplish:

Uninstall a problem driver

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start, select Device Manager)
2. Find the device with the problem driver (usually Display adapters for GPU issues)
3. Right-click the device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab
4. Click Roll Back Driver if available (reverts to the previous driver version), or click Uninstall Device and check Delete the driver software if offered
5. Restart into normal Windows. The system will use a generic driver or prompt you to install a new one

Uninstall a problem program

1. Open Settings, Apps, Installed apps
2. Find the program that is causing problems, click the three dots, and select Uninstall
3. Some programs with system-level hooks may require Safe Mode to fully uninstall

Run antivirus scans

In Safe Mode with Networking, Windows Defender still functions and can perform a full scan. Malwarebytes and other security tools also work in Safe Mode. Malware that protects itself during normal operation (by hooking system services or blocking task termination) is usually defenseless in Safe Mode.

Run System Restore

Open Control Panel, search for Recovery, click Open System Restore. Select a restore point from before the problem started. System Restore reverts system files, drivers, and registry settings to that point without affecting personal files.

Check Event Viewer

Event Viewer (search for it in Start) shows system errors and warnings that occurred before the last crash. Check Windows Logs, System for critical errors and the Application log for program crashes. The timestamps help identify which event caused the problem.

Exiting Safe Mode

Simply restart the computer normally. Safe Mode is a one-time boot state — the next restart returns to normal Windows unless you set Safe Mode as persistent using bcdedit (Method 4 above). If you used the bcdedit method, remember to remove the safeboot flag before restarting.

Safe Mode troubleshooting in Marion

LuxuriousComputers Repair uses Safe Mode diagnostics to isolate driver conflicts, remove malware, and fix boot problems that prevent normal Windows operation. If your computer will not start normally, we diagnose and resolve the underlying cause.