Step-by-Step Guide to Booting Windows 11 in Safe Mode (2024)

2024/10/22

To initiate Safe Mode in Windows 11, access the Power menu from the Start menu, hold down the “Shift” key, and select “Restart.” Following this, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Then, choose “4” or simply press “F4.”
Alternatively, you can boot into Safe Mode by entering the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) through BIOS. From there, proceed to Advanced Startup > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Select “4” or press “F4.”
Safe Mode in Windows 11 can also be accessed via the Settings application, Command Prompt, and MSConfig.

UPDATED 10/21/2024: Windows 11 provides users with several methods—at least seven—to boot into “Safe Mode” through various means such as the Start menu, Settings, the Lock screen, Command Prompt, System Configuration (msconfig), cold boot, or USB. This article details all available options.

Understanding Safe Mode in Windows 11

Safe Mode is a troubleshooting feature that loads only the essential drivers and a minimal set of features to help diagnose and resolve software and hardware issues on Windows 11.

Reasons to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 11

Within this special environment, you can tackle issues with the startup process when Windows 11 fails to boot properly, network connectivity issues, stuck Windows Update downloads, Blue Screen of Death incidents, and much more. Safe Mode is particularly useful for addressing video driver problems and conducting virus scans to identify and eliminate malware that cannot be addressed when the operating system is running normally.

Selecting the appropriate Safe Mode option on Windows 11

Windows 11 offers three Safe Mode variations:

Safe Mode: This option is ideal if you need basic computer access (select option 4 or F4).
Safe Mode with Networking: Choose this option (5 or F5) if you require internet access or to connect to network resources.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt: If you need to utilize command line tools, select this option (6 or F6).

It’s always suggested to opt for “5” as it provides a basic operating environment with internet access, and you can still access Command Prompt. If you need to open the command console, avoid using Windows Terminal, as it won’t function in this mode. Instead, launch Command Prompt directly from the Start menu.

How to verify if you’re in Safe Mode

By following any of the methods described in this guide, you can easily determine if your computer has successfully entered Safe Mode. Notably, your desktop background will not display, and the “Safe Mode” text will appear at each corner of your screen. Additionally, you’ll notice a lower resolution screen, a Windows help page will load upon login, and you will have limited access to most applications.

This guide presents instructions on how to enter troubleshooting mode in Windows 11 using Command Prompt, Settings, the Power menu, and System Configuration, both from within the OS and at startup. These instructions are applicable to Windows 11 24H2, 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2.

Booting in Safe Mode on Windows 11

Windows 11 users can boot their devices into Safe Mode through several methods, whether using a laptop or desktop. Below are the steps:

Via the Start menu
Via Recovery settings
Via the Sign-in screen
Via Command Prompt
Via MSConfig (System Configuration)
Via cold boot outside of Windows 11
Via USB bootable media outside of Windows 11

You can also find these instructions detailed in my video tutorial on my YouTube channel. (Don’t forget to like and subscribe!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kzrk1bG2h8

Windows 11: Enter Safe Mode (6 ways) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kzrk1bG2h8)

Booting from the Start menu

Follow these steps to boot into Safe Mode via the Start menu on Windows 11:

Open the Start menu.
Select the Power option.
Hold down the “Shift” key and then click Restart.
Select Troubleshoot.
Choose Advanced options.
Click on Startup Settings.
Hit the Restart button.
Select “4” or press “F4” to initiate Safe Mode.

After these steps, your device will boot into the specified Safe Mode, allowing you to troubleshoot and resolve any Windows 11 issues.

Entry via Recovery settings

To access Safe Mode from the Settings app in Windows 11, follow these instructions:

Open Settings.
Select System.
Go to Recovery.
Click the Restart now button located in the “Advanced startup” section.
Press Restart now again on the subsequent prompt.
Select Troubleshoot.
Next, click on Advanced options.
Access the Startup Settings option.
Click Restart.
Choose “4” or press the “F4” key to boot into Safe Mode.

Once you finish these steps, your device will transition into the minimal mode environment suitable for troubleshooting system problems.

Accessing from the Sign-in screen

To start in Safe Mode directly from the Sign-in screen, perform the following:

Click the Power button in the lower-right corner.
Hold the “Shift” key and click Restart.
Select Troubleshoot.
Proceed to Advanced options.
Click on Startup Settings.
Press Restart.
Select “4” or press “F4” to initiate Safe Mode.

Your computer will successfully boot into Safe Mode after completing these steps.

Using Command Prompt for Safe Mode

To boot into Safe Mode via Command Prompt (using the F8 method), follow these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.
Type the following command, then press Enter:

Bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
Restart your computer.
When the “Windows Boot Manager” screen appears, press the “F8” key to access the Startup Settings.
Choose “4” or press “F4” to boot into Safe Mode.

Upon completing these steps, your Windows 11 will launch in Safe Mode with the option you selected. If you chose the “Networking” option, you’ll be able to connect to Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

To exit Safe Mode, you can repeat the aforementioned process but use the following command in step 3: Bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu no.

Entering Safe Mode using MSConfig

You can also start Windows 11 in Safe Mode using System Configuration (msconfig) by following these steps:

Open Start.
Search for msconfig and select System Configuration to open the application.
Click on the Boot tab.
In the “Boot options” section, check the Safe boot checkbox.
Select the Minimal option for standard Safe Mode, or choose Network for Safe Mode with Networking.
Click Apply.
Press OK.
Restart your computer.

Keep in mind that Windows 11 will remain in this minimal mode until you revert the changes made to the configuration.

To reverse the changes after troubleshooting, follow the same instructions, but for step 4, ensure the “Safe boot” option is unchecked.

Entering Safe Mode from a cold boot

To boot into Safe Mode when starting from a cold boot on Windows 11, follow this procedure:

Press the power button.
As soon as the Power-On Self-Test (POST) completes and the blue Windows logo appears, press the power button again to turn it off.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times. On the third restart, your device should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
Select your Windows 11 account.
Enter your account password.
Click the Continue button.
Press the Advanced Startup button to proceed.
Select Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced options.
Access Startup Settings.
Press the Restart button.
Select “4” or press “F4” to prepare to boot into Safe Mode.

Upon completing these steps, your computer will enter Safe Mode, allowing you to diagnose and repair issues with Windows 11.

It’s essential to note that the traditional methods using “F8” or “Shift + F8” during startup are no longer effective in entering Windows 11’s Safe Mode from BIOS due to advancements in firmware and software. Devices now rely on UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) rather than traditional BIOS (Basic Input Output System).

However, legacy methods can still be used to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), where you can then select the option to start in Safe Mode.

Booting via USB media

Instructions for entering Safe Mode using installation media differ based on the version of the operating system.

For Windows 11 version 24H2 and later

To boot into Safe Mode using Windows 11 USB media from version 24H2 and subsequent releases, follow these steps:

Start your PC using the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Select the Next button.
Click Next again.
Select the “Repair my PC” option.
Click Next.
Select the appropriate keyboard layout to proceed.
Go to troubleshoot.
Choose the Command Prompt option.
Input the following command to enter Safe Mode and press Enter:

bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal
Exit the Command Prompt using the “X” button on the top-right.
Hit Continue.

After these steps, your computer will start with the basic set of drivers and services, allowing for effective troubleshooting and problem resolution.

For Windows 11 version 23H2 and earlier

For accessing Safe Mode from Windows 11 USB media from version 23H2 and older, follow these steps:

Begin with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
Press any key to proceed.
Click Next.
At the bottom left, select “Repair your computer” .
Proceed to select the Command Prompt option.
Enter this command to start the computer in Safe Mode and press Enter:

bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal
Close the Command Prompt with the “X” button on the upper-right corner.
Click on Continue.

These steps will ensure your device boots into Safe Mode, enabling efficient troubleshooting and repairs on Windows 11.

When employing the “bcdedit” command, the device will default to starting in Safe Mode. To exit this mode, access Command Prompt (admin) within the minimal environment and execute the command bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot.

Update as of October 21, 2024: This guide has been revised to enhance accuracy and account for recent modifications.

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