How To Start Windows 10 In Safe Mode While Booting: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Edgar Nicov

How-To

5 min. read

Published on November 9, 2025

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Booting Windows 10 in Safe Mode can be a lifesaver when your system encounters issues that prevent it from starting normally. Safe Mode loads a minimal set of drivers and services, allowing you to troubleshoot problems, remove faulty software, or recover corrupted files. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to accessing Safe Mode during the boot process, ensuring you can diagnose and resolve Windows 10 issues effectively.

Whether you’re dealing with a blue screen of death, constant crashing, or driver conflicts, starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode while booting offers a safe environment to identify and fix the underlying cause. This detailed guide will walk you through several methods to achieve this, empowering you to regain control of your system and get back to work.

What Are The Ways To Start Windows 10 In Safe Mode While Booting?

Using the Shift + Restart Method

This is one of the most reliable methods if you can still access the Windows 10 login screen.

Click the Power icon on the Windows login screen or in the Start Menu.
Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.
While holding Shift, click Restart.
Release the Shift key once the system begins to restart.
After the restart, you will see the “Choose an option” screen. Click Troubleshoot.
On the “Troubleshoot” screen, click Advanced options.
In “Advanced options”, click Startup Settings.
Click Restart. Your computer will restart again to the “Startup Settings” screen.
Press the number key corresponding to your desired Safe Mode option:

4: Enable Safe Mode
5: Enable Safe Mode with Networking (allows internet access)
6: Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Interrupting the Normal Boot Process

If Windows 10 fails to start normally multiple times, it should automatically enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). If it doesn’t, you can force it by interrupting the boot process.

Start your computer.
As soon as you see the Windows logo, press and hold the Power button until the computer shuts down.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times. On the third interruption, Windows should automatically boot into the “Automatic Repair” environment.
On the “Automatic Repair” screen, click Advanced options.
Follow steps 6-9 from the “Using the Shift + Restart Method” section above.

Using a Recovery Drive or Installation Media

If your system is completely unresponsive, you can use a recovery drive or Windows 10 installation media to access Safe Mode.

Insert the recovery drive or Windows 10 installation media into your computer.
Start your computer and boot from the drive or media. You may need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings.
On the “Windows Setup” screen, select your language and keyboard layout.
Click Next.
Click Repair your computer.
On the “Choose an option” screen, click Troubleshoot.
Follow steps 6-9 from the “Using the Shift + Restart Method” section above.

Tips for Safe Mode Troubleshooting

Document the Problem: Before entering Safe Mode, note down any error messages or unusual behavior you’ve observed. This will help you focus your troubleshooting efforts.
Update Drivers: Once in Safe Mode, try updating your graphics card, network adapter, and other essential drivers. Incompatible or outdated drivers are often the cause of system instability.
Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the command sfc /scannow. This will scan for and repair corrupted system files.
Check Event Viewer: Look for error messages or warnings in the Event Viewer to identify the source of the problem.
Uninstall Recently Installed Software: If the issue started after installing new software, uninstall it to see if it resolves the problem.

Choosing the Right Safe Mode Option

The table below breaks down the differences between the Safe Mode options, helping you choose the right one for your troubleshooting needs.

Safe Mode Option	Description
Safe Mode	Starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. This is the most basic Safe Mode option and is suitable for troubleshooting general system issues.
Safe Mode with Networking	Starts Windows in Safe Mode and includes the network drivers and services needed to access the internet or a network. This is useful if you need to download drivers or access online resources for troubleshooting.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt	Starts Windows in Safe Mode, but instead of the graphical user interface, it opens a Command Prompt window. This is useful for advanced troubleshooting tasks that require command-line tools.

Regaining Control After System Instability

Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode while booting provides a crucial pathway to diagnose and resolve system issues, ultimately helping you regain control and stability. By following the outlined steps and tips, you can effectively troubleshoot problems and restore your system to its optimal working condition.