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How to start Windows in Safe mode

Situation:
You have encountered a problem in Windows, and you want to restart in Safe mode.

Solution:


There is more than one way to do this. The method that we recommend is presented first.

Recommended method
Windows includes the System Configuration Utility. If you can start the computer normally into Windows, then this is the easiest--and the recommended--way to restart the computer in Safe mode.

To configure the System Configuration Utility to start the computer in Safe mode:

  1. Close all open programs.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
  3. As shown in this illustration, type msconfig and then click OK.


     
  4. The System Configuration Utility appears (shown in the following illustration). Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and then click OK.



     
  5. You then see the prompt to restart the computer. Click Restart.



    The computer restarts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.)

When you finish troubleshooting (in Safe mode)
When you finish troubleshooting (in Safe mode) repeat these steps, but in step 4, uncheck "/SAFEBOOT," and then close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.

Alternate method


Note:

  • If your computer has more than one operating system loaded, then you must select Windows first. After you select Windows, proceed with the rest of this document.
  • Due to the nature of Safe mode in Windows, it is not possible to install software while in Safe mode.

To start Windows in Safe mode, single operating system:
Use this method if is the only operating system installed on your computer.

  1. Start Windows, or if it is running, shut Windows down, and then turn off the computer.
  2. Restart the computer. The computer begins processing a set of instructions known as the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). What is displayed depends on the BIOS manufacturer. Some computers display a progress bar that refers to the word BIOS, while others may not display any indication that this process is happening.
  3. As soon as the BIOS has finished loading, begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard. Continue to do so until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.

    Note: If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers will generate a "keyboard error" message. Please restart, and then try again.


  4. Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, scroll to and select the Safe mode menu item, and then press Enter.

To start Windows in Safe mode, multi-boot system:
Use this method if Windows is not the only operating system installed on your computer or there is more than one Windows version Installed on your computer.

  1. Start Windows, or if it is running, shut Windows down, and then turn off the computer.
  2. Restart the computer. The computer begins processing a set of instructions known as the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). What is displayed depends on the BIOS manufacturer. Some computers display a progress bar that refers to the word BIOS, while others may not display any indication that this process is happening.
  3. When the menu that displays the operating systems appears, use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select Windows XP.
  4. Press Enter, and then immediately begin tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
  5. Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, scroll to and select the Safe mode menu item, and then press Enter.

Updated: January 18, 2011

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Updated: August 29, 2011 07:37 PM