How to boot Windows 10, 7, 8, Vista and XP in safe mode?

April 28, 2019 OS Boot Issues Platform: Windows Desktop

The Windows boot in Safe mode varies depending on the OS version such as Windows 10, 7, 8, Vista or XP. But the difference also varies depending on the stability of the computer and the operating system.

Starting a computer in Safe mode is a good opportunity to fix various problems that can not be repaired in normal mode. This boot mode is performed bypassing most drivers such as Display Adapters, Audio, Network. Also most applications do not work if Windows is started in Safe mode.

However, access to files and various commands is complete, which allows data retrieval and operating system repair.

The boot, repair or recovery menu method. When Windows can’t start completely or freezes in Normal mode.

These methods can be used to boot Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 in Safe Mode:

Turn of your computer.
Press power button to turn on your computer.
Immediately after pressing power button press F8.
In Windows boot menu navigate to Safe Mode and hit Enter.
Now Windows will boot into safe mode.

Boot Windows 8 or Windows 10 in safe mode through repair, recovery menu from boot point.

These method does not change from another method we explained below. See: “Booting Windows 10 in Safe Mode through Advanced startup”. When you select “Repair this PC” or boot from recovery media just select Troubleshoot and follow other steps we explained below.

For the methods that we will explain below.
Remember, you can use these methods if you can use the computer for a minute or two in Normal Mode. You can use these methods if your PC is not frozen or turned off from any possible blue screen or any other error.

Method through Msconfig (all Windows OS versions) or Advanced startup, recovery (Windows 10) When Windows can start completely in Normal mode.

Msconfig (system configuration) method can be used to boot Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1 and Windows 10 in Safe Mode:

Click on Start menu, enter msconfig. (In Windows XP click on Start menu, click Run then enter msconfig. In Windows 7 click on Start menu then enter msconfig in search bar, in Windows 10 click on Start menu then enter msconfig).
In the System Configuration window click Boot, click Safe boot, click OK then restart computer.

Booting Windows 10 in Safe Mode through Advanced startup.

Click on Start menu, Settings, Update & Security then click Recovery.
Below Advanced Startup click Restart now.
While restarting Windows will stop by displaying a window with three different choices. Select the Troubleshoot option.
Select Advanced Options, Startup Settings, click Restart.
While booting in first Window under Startup Settings choose number 4 to Enable Safe Mode.