How to Boot to Safe Mode in Windows 11

There are times when you need to boot into safe mode on your Windows 11 computer. This could be because you’re trying to troubleshoot a problem, or you may have malware that is preventing you from booting into Windows normally. Safe Mode is a special mode that starts Windows with only the most basic drivers and files loaded, which can help if you’re having problems with your computer.

What is Safe Mode?

Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in Windows that is used to obtain limited access to Windows when the operating system won’t start normally. This mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services to help troubleshoot issues.

What You Can Do in Safe Mode

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode of a computer operating system (OS). It can also refer to a mode of operation by application programs, especially web browsers. In general, safe mode is intended to help fix most, if not all, problems within an operating system. It is also widely used as a troubleshooting tool.

When a computer is started in safe mode, only the bare minimum of software is loaded. The computer’s networking capabilities are disabled and only the most basic file drivers are installed. This minimal configuration allows the computer to operate with only the most essential software and drivers, which can help to identify and resolve many types of problems.

Safe mode is typically accessed by pressing a key combination (usually F8) during the boot process. Once safe mode has been accessed, the user can then select which type of safe mode they would like to use. The most common types of safe mode are:

Standard safe mode: This is the most basic form of safe mode. In this mode, only the essential system files and drivers are loaded. The computer’s display is set to its lowest resolution and the default Windows wallpaper is used.

Safe mode with networking: This mode is similar to standard safe mode, but it also loads the basic files and drivers needed to access the internet and other computers on a network.

Safe mode with command prompt: In this mode, only the essential system files and drivers are loaded. The computer’s display is set to its lowest resolution and the default Windows wallpaper is used. The Windows command prompt is also available in this mode.

How to Boot to Safe Mode in Windows 11

There are a few ways to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11. The most common way is to press and hold the F8 key while your computer is booting up. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu, from which you can then select Safe Mode.

Another way to boot into Safe Mode is to use the System Configuration tool. To do this, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and launch the System Configuration tool. In the System Configuration window, go to the Boot tab and select the Safe Mode option.

If you’re having trouble accessing the Advanced Boot Options menu or the System Configuration tool, you can also try booting into Safe Mode from the Recovery Options menu. To do this, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and launch the Recovery Options tool. In the Recovery Options window, select the Safe Mode option.

How to Boot into Safe Mode without Login

If you’re using Windows 10, you can press the Shift key while clicking the Restart option in the Start menu. This will take you to the Advanced Startup Options menu, where you can click the Troubleshoot option. From there, you can click the Advanced Options option, and then click the Startup Settings option. On the Startup Settings screen, you can press the F4 key to boot into Safe Mode, or press the F5 key to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

If you’re using Windows 8 or 8.1, you can go to the Start screen and type the word "Advanced." This will bring up the Advanced Startup Options menu. From there, you can click the Troubleshoot option, and then click the Advanced Options option. On the Advanced Options screen, you can click the Startup Settings option, and then press the F4 key to boot into Safe Mode, or press the F5 key to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

If you’re using Windows 7, you can click the Start button and then click the Shut Down option. In the Shut Down dialog box, you can click the drop-down menu next to the "Shut down" button, and then click the Restart option. This will take you to the Advanced Boot Options menu, where you can press the F4 key to boot into Safe Mode, or press the F5 key to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

How Do I Force Windows 11 to Start in Safe Mode?

There are a few ways to start Windows in Safe Mode. The most common way is to press and hold the F8 key while your computer is booting up. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu where you can then select Safe Mode.

Another way to start Windows in Safe Mode is to use the System Configuration tool. To do this, go to Start and type in msconfig.exe in the search box. Press Enter and then go to the Boot tab. In the Boot Options section, check the box next to Safe Mode and then click OK.

You can also start Windows in Safe Mode by using the Command Prompt. To do this, go to Start and type in cmd.exe in the search box. Press Enter and then type in the following:

bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy

Press Enter and then type in the following:

bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No

Press Enter and then input this command:

wpeutil reboot

Your computer will then reboot and you will be able to select Safe Mode from the Advanced Boot Options menu.

How to Exit Safe Mode in Windows 11

Here are the steps to help you to get out of Safe Mode in Windows 11:

1. Restart your computer. This will take you out of Safe Mode and back into normal mode.

2. Use the System Configuration tool. This tool can be used to change a variety of settings, including which mode your computer starts up in.

3. Use the bcdedit tool. This tool can be used to change the boot configuration data.

4. Use the registry editor. This tool can be used to change settings in the registry.

5. Use the task manager. This tool can be used to end processes that are running in Safe Mode.

Stuck in Safe Mode on Windows 11? How to Fix

There are a few things you can try if Windows 11 was stuck in Safe Mode:

1. Restart your computer. This should take you out of Safe Mode.

2. If that doesn’t work, try holding down the Shift key while you click the "Restart" button in the Start menu. This will take you to the "Advanced Startup Options" menu, where you can click the "Restart" button again to restart your computer and get out of Safe Mode.

3. If neither of those options work, you can try using the "System Configuration" tool to get out of Safe Mode. To do this, search for "System Configuration" in the Start menu, and then click the "Boot" tab. From there, uncheck the "Safe boot" option and click "Apply." This will restart your computer and take you out of Safe Mode.

FAQ

Conclusion

There are a few different ways to boot into safe mode in Windows 10. The most common way is to press and hold the Shift key while clicking the Restart option in the Start menu. This will take you to the Advanced Startup Options menu, where you can then click the option for Safe Mode. You can also access the Advanced Startup Options menu by pressing the F8 key during startup, but this method may not work on all PCs. If you’re having trouble booting into safe mode, you can try using the troubleshooting tools in the Windows Recovery Environment.