Restarting Windows in Safe Mode [Guide]

When Windows starts acting up, Safe Mode can be one of the easiest ways to figure out what is going wrong. If your PC keeps crashing, a recently installed driver is causing problems, an app refuses to work correctly, or Windows behaves strangely during normal startup, Safe Mode gives you a cleaner environment to troubleshoot the issue.

Safe Mode starts Windows with only the most necessary drivers and services. This makes it easier to determine whether a third-party application, driver, startup program, or other software is behind the problem.

Windows 11 and Windows 10 provide several ways to access it, including through Settings, System Configuration, and the Windows Recovery Environment. 

Let’s learn the process step by step.

Restarting Windows in Safe Mode [Step-by-Step Guide]

To restart Windows in Safe Mode:

1. Open Settings > System > Recovery in Windows 11, then select Restart now next to Advanced startup.
2. After your PC restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. When the Startup Settings screen appears, press 4 or F4 to start Windows in Safe Mode.
4. Press 5 or F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking if you need an internet connection.
5. Press 6 or F6 to start Safe Mode with Command Prompt when you need access to Command Prompt for troubleshooting.

If you cannot access the desktop, you can use the recovery methods explained below.

Step 1: Open Windows Recovery Options

The easiest method on a working Windows PC is to open the recovery settings. In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery. Look for Advanced startup, then select Restart now.

In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.

Windows will warn you that your computer needs to restart. Save anything important before selecting the restart option. Once Windows restarts, you will see the Choose an option recovery screen instead of your usual desktop.

If your computer is already having trouble starting, do not worry. You can also reach this recovery environment using the method explained later in this guide.

Step 2: Select Troubleshoot

After Windows restarts, select Troubleshoot from the Choose an option screen.

The Troubleshoot menu contains several recovery and repair tools. You may see options for resetting Windows, restoring the system, repairing startup problems, or changing advanced startup settings.

For Safe Mode, select Advanced options. This takes you to another menu containing additional Windows recovery tools.

Do not select Reset this PC if your goal is simply to start Windows in Safe Mode. Resetting Windows is a much bigger operation and can remove applications and settings depending on the option you choose.

Step 3: Open Startup Settings

Inside Advanced options, select Startup Settings. If you do not immediately see Startup Settings, look for an option that allows you to view additional recovery options.

Startup Settings controls how Windows starts the next time the computer boots. This includes options for Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and other specialized startup behaviors.

Select Startup Settings, then choose Restart. Your computer will restart again and display a numbered list of startup choices.

This screen is important because you normally cannot select these Safe Mode options directly with your mouse. Instead, you use your keyboard to choose the startup mode you want.

Step 4: Start Windows in Safe Mode

After the restart, you will see the Startup Settings screen with several numbered options.

Press 4 or F4 on your keyboard to start Windows in standard Safe Mode. Windows will then load with a limited set of drivers and services.

If you need internet access while troubleshooting, press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking. This mode loads additional networking components so you can connect to the internet or your local network.

If you need to work primarily with Command Prompt, press 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For most troubleshooting situations, F4 for standard Safe Mode is the best place to start. If you need to download a driver, access an online troubleshooting resource, or use a network-based tool, F5 may be more appropriate.

Step 5: Check Windows After Entering Safe Mode

Once Windows starts, the desktop may look different from normal. The screen resolution can change, and you may notice Safe Mode displayed in the corners of the screen.

This is expected.

Now test the problem that originally caused you to use Safe Mode. For example, if a program was crashing, check whether Windows remains stable without that program running. If your computer was freezing, monitor whether the freezing continues.

You can also open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager. From there, you can inspect drivers and look for devices showing warning symbols.

You can also review recently installed applications and remove software that may have caused the problem. However, avoid randomly deleting system files or changing advanced Windows settings unless you know what they do.

Step 6: Troubleshoot the Original Problem

Safe Mode is mainly a troubleshooting environment, so the next step depends on what you discovered.

If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, a third-party application, driver, or startup service could be responsible. You can start by uninstalling recently added software, rolling back a recently updated driver, or disabling suspicious startup programs.

If the problem continues even in Safe Mode, the cause may involve a deeper Windows issue, damaged system files, hardware, or another component that Safe Mode still loads.

You can also use Windows tools such as System File Checker and DISM when appropriate. These utilities can help repair certain Windows system file problems.

The key idea is to make one change at a time. That way, if the problem disappears, you have a better idea of which change actually fixed it.

Step 7: Restart Windows Normally

When you are finished troubleshooting, you usually do not need to change anything to leave Safe Mode.

Select Start > Power > Restart. Windows should restart normally and return to the regular desktop.

If Windows keeps starting in Safe Mode, press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. In the System Configuration window, open the Boot tab and check whether Safe boot is selected.

If it is selected, clear Safe boot, select Apply, and then select OK. Restart the computer and check whether Windows returns to normal startup.

Be careful when changing options in System Configuration. Only modify the Safe boot setting unless you have a specific reason to change another startup option.

Use Safe Mode When Windows Will Not Start Normally

If you cannot reach the Windows desktop, you can still access Safe Mode through the Windows Recovery Environment.

Windows may automatically enter recovery mode after repeated unsuccessful startup attempts. From there, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart and then press 4, 5, or 6, depending on the Safe Mode option you need.

You can also access Windows recovery options from compatible installation or recovery media if the normal recovery environment is unavailable.

This approach is especially useful when Windows crashes, freezes, or restarts before you can reach the desktop.

Faqs

What does Safe Mode do in Windows?

Safe Mode starts Windows with a limited set of drivers and services. It is primarily used to diagnose problems caused by applications, drivers, startup programs, and other software.

Does Safe Mode delete my files?

No. Starting Windows in Safe Mode does not normally delete your personal files. It simply changes how Windows starts so you can troubleshoot problems.

Should I use Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking?

Use standard Safe Mode when you do not need internet access. Choose Safe Mode with Networking when you need network connectivity for troubleshooting or downloading something necessary.

Why does my screen look different in Safe Mode?

Windows may use a different display resolution and load fewer graphics features in Safe Mode. This can make the desktop look unusual. It is generally normal and should return to normal after you restart Windows.

How do I exit Safe Mode?

Usually, simply select Start > Power > Restart. Windows should start normally. If it repeatedly returns to Safe Mode, check System Configuration > Boot and make sure Safe boot is not enabled.

Can I uninstall a problematic driver in Safe Mode?

Yes. Safe Mode can be useful when a driver is causing startup or stability problems. You can open Device Manager, locate the affected device, and use the available driver management options.

What if Safe Mode does not fix my problem?

If the problem continues in Safe Mode, it may not be caused by a typical third-party startup application or service. You may need to investigate Windows system files, hardware, drivers, disk health, or other system-level issues.

Bottom Lines

Restarting Windows in Safe Mode is a straightforward way to troubleshoot problems without loading the full collection of applications, drivers, and services used during normal startup. The most common route is Settings > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, followed by Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Use F4 for standard Safe Mode, F5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Once inside Safe Mode, focus on identifying what changes when the usual Windows environment is not running.

If the issue disappears, investigate recently installed applications, drivers, and startup services. 

If the issue remains, consider Windows repair tools or hardware troubleshooting. When you finish, restart the computer to return to normal Windows operation.