Directions on how to boot into Safe Mode.
Safe Mode is a special diagnostic mode that bypasses Windows Startup files, allowing you to fix problems that are keeping your computer from functioning normally. Only the keyboard, mouse, display drivers and option for networking are loaded when running in Safe Mode. Other devices and peripherals may not be available.
Use the links below to jump to instructions for your Operating System:
Windows 10
Windows 10:
For Windows 10: Press the Windows logo key + vowel 'I' on your keyboard to open Settings. If that does not work, select the Windows button (former Start button) in the lower-left corner of your screen, then select Settings.
Under PC settings, select Update & Security > Recovery.
Under Advanced Startup, select Restart now.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, on the Startup Settings, you'll see a list of options. Press the F4 key on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 or Windows 10 will boot according to the setting you selected.
Alternate:
Restart your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select the Power icon > Restart.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, on the Startup Settings, you'll see a list of options. Press the F4 key on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 or Windows 10 will boot according to the setting you selected.
Windows 8.1/8:
For Windows 8: Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
Under PC settings, select Update & Security > Recovery.
Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, on the Startup Settings, you'll see a list of options. Press the F4 key on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking. or F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 or Windows 10 will boot according to the setting you selected.
Alternate:
Restart your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select Power icon > Restart.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, on the Startup Settings, you'll see a list of options. Press the F4 key on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 8 or Windows 10 will boot according to the setting you selected.
Windows 7/Vista:
Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start Menu. To do so, click the arrow located next to the Lock icon/button, and click Restart.
As the computer restarts, watch for a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. Press F8 about once every second.
From the Windows Startup menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.
Wait for your desktop to appear, and then make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).
When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.
Alternate:
From the Windows Start menu, click on the Search box, type MSCONFIG and press Enter.
On the BOOT tab, check Safe Boot.
Click Restart when prompted.
Windows XP:
Restart the computer. If you are already in Windows, you can do this from the Windows Start Menu. To do so, go to 'Turn off computer' and click Restart.
As the computer restarts, watch for a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. Press F8 about once every second.
From the Windows Startup menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.
Wait for your desktop to appear, and then make the necessary repairs (for example, uninstall programs or devices).
When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.
Alternate:
From the Windows Start menu, click Run.
In the Open field, type MSCONFIG and click Ok.
On the BOOT.INI tab, check /SAFEBOOT.
Click Restart when prompted.