How to Boot Into Safe Mode in Windows 10 or Windows 11

If you’re troubleshooting an issue with your computer, oftentimes you may want to boot your computer into safe mode. Safe mode starts Windows in a basic state with limited drivers and files, meaning that if a problem doesn’t occur in safe mode, it is not the default configuration that is causing your issues. If you’re diagnosing your computer, here are some ways you can boot into safe mode in Windows 10 or Windows 11.

How to boot into safe mode in Windows 10 or Windows 11

1. Press the Windows and I keys on your keyboard to open Settings.
2. Click Update & Security, then press Recovery on the left-hand menu.
3. Click Restart now under Advanced startup.
4. Once your computer restarts, at the Choose an option screen, press Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
5. After your computer restarts, select F4 or 4 to start the PC in safe mode. If you need to use the internet during safe mode, select F5 or 5 for safe mode with networking.

How to boot into safe mode from the sign-in screen in Windows 10 or Windows 11

1. Restart your computer.
2. At the sign-in screen, hold down the Shift key, then click Power > Restart.
3. Once your computer restarts, on the Choose an Option screen, press Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
4. After your computer restarts, select F4 or 4 to start the PC in safe mode. If you need to use the internet during safe mode, select F5 or 5 for safe mode with networking.

How to boot into safe mode if Windows 10 or Windows 11 won’t start

If you’re trying to turn on your computer and Windows fails to boot, you should try booting Windows into safe mode. If Windows fails to start three times consecutively, your computer will automatically boot into the Windows Recovery Environment. From here, follow these steps to boot into safe mode:

1. At the Choose an option screen, press Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Advanced Startup Options.
2. Select Startup Settings, then Restart.
3. Once your computer restarts, select F4 or 4 to start the PC in safe mode. If you need to use the internet during safe mode, select F5 or 5 for safe mode with networking.

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