What is Safe Mode?
Safe Mode starts Windows with basic drivers, such as a generic display driver, and only the services Windows needs to run. Third-party startup programs and most non-Microsoft services stay off. The screen usually runs at a low resolution with "Safe Mode" shown in the corners. Because so little loads, Safe Mode often works when a normal boot crashes, shows a blue screen or hangs, and it gives you a foothold to undo whatever broke.
The three Safe Mode options
| Option | What it adds | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Mode | Nothing beyond the minimal set | Removing a bad driver or startup program, running scans |
| Safe Mode with Networking | Network drivers and services | You need to download a driver, update antimalware definitions or reach a network share |
| Safe Mode with Command Prompt | A Command Prompt window in place of the Explorer desktop | Explorer will not load, or you need sfc, DISM or chkdsk |
How to start Safe Mode
- Startup Settings in WinRE: hold Shift and click Restart (on Windows 11 you can also use Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now). Then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
- When Windows will not boot: two failed starts in a row usually open the recovery environment automatically. You can also boot installation media or a recovery drive and choose Repair your computer.
- System Configuration: run
msconfig, open the Boot tab, tick Safe boot and pick Minimal (Safe Mode), Network (with Networking) or Alternate shell (Command Prompt). This setting sticks: the PC boots into Safe Mode every time until you clear the box.
The old F8 boot menu is turned off by default on Windows 10 and 11, so tapping F8 at startup usually does nothing. On a BitLocker-protected PC, reaching Startup Settings may ask for the recovery key.
What to do in Safe Mode
- Roll back or uninstall a driver in Device Manager when a new driver causes crashes or a black screen.
- Uninstall a recently added program, or disable the startup item or service that crashes a normal boot.
- Run a full antimalware scan. Much malware does not start in Safe Mode, so it cannot defend itself.
- Run System Restore. A restore started from Safe Mode cannot be undone.
- Run
sfc /scannowwhen a normal session is too unstable to finish a scan.
Use Safe Mode as a test, too. If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, the default settings and basic drivers are probably not the cause, so suspect a third-party driver, service or startup program. If the problem remains, suspect hardware, damaged system files or a deeper OS fault.
Getting out of Safe Mode
A normal restart leaves Safe Mode when you entered it through Startup Settings. If the PC returns to Safe Mode after every restart, Safe boot is still ticked in msconfig; clear it on the Boot tab and restart. From an elevated prompt, bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot removes the same setting, which helps when you cannot reach the desktop normally.
Safe Mode on the CompTIA A+ exam
Safe Mode is a core troubleshooting step for the boot, crash and instability scenarios in Core 2 (220-1202) objective 3.1. Know the three variants and when each fits, the WinRE path with the 4, 5 and 6 keys, and the msconfig Safe boot option and its stay-on behavior. Cues: you need to download a driver while in Safe Mode, think Safe Mode with Networking; a new video driver gives a black screen, think Safe Mode, then roll back the driver; the PC boots into Safe Mode every time, think msconfig Safe boot is still set. Safe Mode also appears in malware-removal questions as the place to run scans.