Most often, Safe Mode is used to repair faulty drivers or update the system. If, after installing the software for new hardware, the system has stopped responding, then most likely it is the fault of incompatible drivers that do not allow the system to boot normally. Safe mode should be able to start because only the most basic system components are needed to start it. Of course, if we performed a restore point before installing a new device, we can use it to restore the system. How to start Windows 10 in safe mode?
Safe mode in Windows 10
There are two versions of Safe Mode: Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking. The latter includes network drivers and services needed to access the internet and other computers on the network. Safe mode was well known to all users of older versions of Windows – XP or 7. When the computer was not shut down correctly or had problems starting, a screen appeared with the option of choosing safe mode to facilitate repair. In Windows 10, Microsoft adopted a different tactic. If errors appear at startup, the automatic repair tool runs, and if it does not work, you need to use rescue or installation media and use other methods to repair the system. However, Windows 10 still has a built-in safe mode, but it’s harder to access. Let’s see how to run it and what it can be useful for.
Method one: Shift + Restart
Probably the easiest way to enter safe mode is to use the Shift key combination and clicking the appropriate button in Windows. What is this about? We start by turning on the Start menu and clicking the Power button, without pressing any keys for now.
We only use the combination now. When the menu pops up, hold down the Shift key and click Restart. The computer will restart and we will be presented with several options during the boot process. Click the second, Solve problems. Now click Advanced options. From the advanced options we choose the latter – Startup settings. Windows 10 will inform you that it can restart your device to give us the option to choose boot options, among which is Safe Mode. Now click Restart.
After a while, the Boot Settings screen will appear. To turn on safe mode, press F4. If, in turn, we want to go into safe mode, but with Internet access, press F5. The mouse is not supported on this screen, so we must enter the numbers from the keyboard. After selecting option 4 or 5, the system will boot into safe mode. The advantage of this method is that safe mode is run once. Each subsequent restart will load the system in the normal way.
Method two: Starting from the installation disc
If the system does not start normally, we can boot the computer from the installation or rescue CD. Then, in the case of installation media, click Repair your computer. Now click on Troubleshoot Problems, Command Prompt. Then close the Command Prompt and click Continue. The system will boot in safe mode, so we can repair or copy important files.