How To Access Safe Mode In Windows 10

How to kick into Windows 10 safe mode

(Prototype credit: Microsoft)

Mysterious issues making your PC buggy? Learning how to boot into Windows 10 condom mode should be the next item on your to-practice list.

Booting into safety mode is extremely useful for troubleshooting issues on your estimator. Condom mode is a basic land, which uses only a small set of files and drivers. Information technology can be used to narrow down the source of your device's bug.

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If for example, your PC is constantly crashing and then when you kicking it into safe fashion the problem doesn't reoccur then yous know that information technology'south not the default settings and basic drivers which are causing the crashing.

Safe way is also useful if your Windows 10 device is running extremely slow, or even it won't even start upward at all. Information technology'll help you lot identify the source of the trouble, and is one of the first steps that you lot tin can accept to getting your PC back up and running smoothly.

Yous tin't run your device in safety fashion permanently though, as it limited many disquisitional functions, but it's a great tool when you're having issues to get to the root of the problem.

If you're not sure how to boot into safe mode on Windows ten then you lot're in the correct place, every bit beyond we'll run you through how to practise then with piece of cake-to-follow instructions.

How to boot into Windows x safe mode from settings

How to boot windows 10 in safe mode - from the settings menu — (Paradigm credit: Microsoft)

If you lot have total access to your device's desktop and are able to boot into safety mode from the Settings Bill of fare, here's how to practice then:

Open Settings from the Start Menu or past pressing Windows + I. The Settings Menu is super piece of cake to access from the Outset Card, which is located on the toolbar, just click the Windows logo in the corner and and so wait for the niggling cog symbol. Alternatively, printing Windows + I to bring up the Settings Carte du jour.
Select Updates and Security from the Settings Menu. If y'all can't find Updates and Security in the Settings Menu then in that location's a handy search bar that you can utilise to locate it.
Open up the Recovery tab on the Updates and Security Menu. On the left-manus column of the Updates and Security Menu you'll find the Recovery tab. If you're struggling to locate it make utilize of the search bar.
Under Advanced startup, select Restart Now. Striking the Restart Now button which is located under the Avant-garde showtime-up header. Brand sure you've saved anything yous were working on beforehand though.
Select Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Select Startup Settings.
Select Restart. After your device restarts, you'll be faced with a 'Cull an choice' menu, follow the steps above, first hitting Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and then startup settings, and finally restart. This volition again restart your device.
Press F4 from the Startup Settings bill of fare. After your Windows ten device restarts, you'll be faced with a numbered listing of options, you desire number 4. This will kick your PC into safe mode. If you need networking capabilities in safe style (i.eastward. the ability to connect to the internet) press F5 instead.

how to boot windows 10 in safe mode - sign in screen — (Image credit: Microsoft)

If yous're unable to access your desktop, and therefore cannot kick into safe mode from the settings menu, that's not an issue. Hither'south how to get access to safe way from the sign-in screen:

Printing and hold the shift central.
Select Power.
Select Restart. Hold the shift fundamental and while you're doing that press Power (the push on the screen, not the physical power button on your device) and and so restart.
Select Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Select Startup Settings.
Select Restart. After your device restarts, you lot'll kick into the 'Choose an option' carte du jour, follow these steps, start striking Troubleshoot, and then Advanced options, then startup settings, and finally restart. Afterwards, your device will restart.
Press F4 at the Startup Settings carte du jour. Later your Windows 10 device restarts, y'all'll have various options in front of you, yous want to select number four, exercise this by pressing F4. This will kicking your PC into safe mode. If you lot need networking capabilities in condom mode (i.e. the power to connect to the cyberspace) press F5 instead.

How to boot into Windows ten safe manner from a blank screen

If your PC is in a bad country, and you can't even become beyond a blank screen (or information technology's completely crashed) you lot still have a way to get to condom mode.

Hold down the power button for x seconds. Located the physical power button on your device, and hold information technology down for a period of 10 seconds.
Press the power push button. After the device has fully powered downwardly, press the ability push once more.
When your device powers up immediately hold the power button for 10 seconds again. The second you take an indication that your device is powering up, for example, some devices will evidence a manufacturing logo upon booting up, concord the power button for ten seconds ago which will switch your device off.
Repeat steps 2 and iii a second time. Once once more plough on your device and the minute it starts to wake up, hold the power button for ten seconds to switch information technology off.
Press the power button once again, this time assuasive your device to fully restart. Afterwards doing steps two and 3 twice, this fourth dimension when you hit the power button you want to let your device fully power up. You lot should now enter what is known equally the Windows Recovery Surroundings (winRE).
Select Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Select Startup Settings.
Select Restart. After your device powers upwards, you lot'll come across a 'Choose an pick' card, follow these steps, showtime hit Troubleshoot, then Avant-garde options, then startup settings, and finally restart. Afterward, your device volition restart.
Press F4 at the Startup Settings bill of fare. After your device restarts, yous'll have a list of options in front end of you. Yous want to select number 4, by pressing F4, this will boot you into condom mode. Or you can printing F5 to boot into safe mode with networking capabilities.

How to exit Windows 10 Safety Mode

So, when you're washed with Safe Mode, it'due south easy to get out. Only restart your computer:

Click the Start button.
Select Power.
Select Restart. You will be returned to normal Windows 10.

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Rory is a Deals Editor at Tom's Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on deals, gaming and streaming. When he's not scouring retailers for PS5 restock or writing hot takes on the latest gaming hardware and streaming shows, he tin can be institute attending music festivals and existence thoroughly disappointed by his terrible football team.