How To Boot To Safe Mode On Windows 10
Windows has had a safe mode for years and for many older versions. The safe mode is a restricted mode that you can run Windows in. In safe mode, anything that isn’t a default app or task cannot be run. Often, a few system functions will be suspended as well. The safe mode is a tool that can help you troubleshoot a system. If you’re getting random prompts, screen or other glitches, or you suspect you have a hardware or software problem on your hands, it can be a good tool to help narrow down the problem. Here’s how to boot into safe mode on Windows 10.
Safe mode on Windows 10
There are several different ways to boot to safe mode on Windows 10 but the two we’re listing here are the simplest to use.
Power Button Menu
Open the Start menu and click the power button. You will see a ‘Restart’ option in this menu, along with the shut down option. Hold down the Shift key and click the Restart option.
You will boot to the Troubleshoot screen. Click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>See more recovery options>Startup settings>Restart.
When you finally restart, you will see a list of options for restarting the system. Tap the number key that corresponds to restarting in Safe mode. It ought to be the 4 key but go through the list in case you have more or fewer options.
Settings App
Open the Settings app and go to the Update and Security group of settings. Go to the Recovery tab. Scroll down to the Advanced Startup section, and click the Restart Now button.
When your system restarts, you will see the troubleshoot options. Follow this path to boot into safe mode on Windows 10.
Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>See more recovery options>Startup settings>Restart
Again, tap the 4 key to boot into safe mode.
When you’re in safe mode, a water mark appears on all four corners of your screen indicating that you are in safe mode. The wallpaper is also disabled as are all personalization settings.
Exit Safe Mode
To exit safe mode, simply restart your system. When it boots to your desktop again, it will no longer be in safe mode.
We should caution you that you can change your system settings in safe mode and the changes you make in this mode will be reflected when you boot back to normal mode. For example, if you rolled back a driver or removed a device, or disabled a task, those changes will stick after a restart.
