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In previous versions of Windows, you could start safe mode by pressing F8 but from Windows 10, this option was removed. This guide shows you two methods to start Windows 10 and Windows 11 in safe mode.
Why Windows 10 Safe Mode?
Just like any other tech stuff, Windows 10 is great. Unfortunately, even the best tools break and Windows is not an exception!
When your Operating system breaks, you may need to boot to safe mode to fix the problem.
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Safe mode loads minimal drivers and services required for your computer to start. So, even when your computer does not boot, you can still start it in safe mode. At lease this is true in most cases.
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Before you proceed to the 2 methods discussed in this guide, it is important to know under what conditions to use each method.
If you can still boot your computer and can log on but need to fix something via safe mode, use Method 1. However, in situations where your computer cannot boot normally use Methods 2.
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Option 1: Start from Recovery Options
To use this method your computer should be able to boot up and allow you to log on. If you are not able to boot your computer or log on, jump to Method 2.
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To start Windows 10 safe mode from Recovery Options:
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- Login to Windows 10
- Next, right-click Windows logo (start menu).
- Then click Settings. When Windows Settings opens, scroll down to Updates & Security. Then click it.
- On Windows Update, click Recovery.
- On the Recovery page, Advanced start-up section, click Restart now. Your computer will boot to Windows 10 recovery mode.
- Next, click Troubleshoot.
- On the Troubleshoot screen, click Advanced options.
- Then click See more recovery options. This will load Advanced options menu.
- On Advanced options click Start-up Settings.
- Finally, on the Start-up Settings menu, click Restart. Your PC will boot to Startup Settings. One of the options is Enable Safe Mode (4). To start Windows 10 safe mode, either click 4 on your keyboard or press function key F4.
Option 2: Initial safe Mode by Interrupting the Normal Boot
If you interrupt Windows 10 boot during start-up twice, by the third boot Windows 10 will start in recovery mode. From recovery mode you can boot to Windows 10 safe mode.
This method is very helpful if your Operating system is broken to the point that you cannot boot it normally.
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Here are the steps:
- Press the power button on your computer to start Windows 10 boot. Then wait for the Windows 10 logo to pop up. Once the dots (highlighted in the image below) start circling, press the power button to power off your computer.
- Press the power button again to start Windows 10. Then power it off when the circling starts.
- When you power your computer again (for the third time), it will boot and display the screen below. After some time, it will display the Automatic Repair screen. See the second image below.
- To boot to recovery mode, click Advanced options.
- Then on the Choose an option menu, click Troubleshoot.
- On the Troubleshoot menu, click Advanced options.
- On the Advanced options screen, click Start-up Settings.
- Finally, on the Start-up Settings screen click Restart. Your computer will boot to Start-up Settings. Use key 4 or function F4 to start safe mode.
Conclusion
For the two methods discussed in this guide the final Startup Settings menu has other startup options. You can boot Windows 10 to any of the startup options.
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To boot an option press the number on your keyboard or use the function key for that number.
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