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How to Boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode: Windows operating systems all come equipped with a secure mode of operation called Safe Mode. In this mode, the operating system disables a number of functions and procedures that aren’t strictly necessary so that it can direct all of its resources towards normally operating your computer. On the other hand, the user can define whatever restrictions they require for the Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a state of the operating system in Windows that loads only a minimal set of system components and prevents non-essential drivers and applications from running during the system’s boot process.
Tt is possible that this will assist you in diagnosing and fixing issues that are occurring with your desktop or laptop computer. When you boot into Safe Mode, Windows only loads the drivers and files that are absolutely necessary for the system to function properly. In Safe Mode, you won’t be able to access the Command Prompt, networking, or any other features because Safe Mode disables everything else. This enables you to determine whether a conflict between an external hardware driver or a programme is the source of the malfunction in your system.
In most cases, you should only load this mode if your device is experiencing problems with its hardware, or if you are having issues with its startup, performance, malware, or network. In addition, if you have recently installed an update that prevents you from loading the desktop, you can use Safe Mode to uninstall the update in order how to Boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode and get around the loading problem.
What is Safe Mode?
It is a diagnostic mode of Windows that starts the system with only the essential drivers and services necessary for the operating system to function properly. Windows Safe Mode can be accessed by pressing the “F8” key. When you boot your computer into Windows Safe Mode, any drivers and services that aren’t absolutely necessary will be disabled. This will enable you to troubleshoot and diagnose problems with your computer.
It is essential to have a safe mode available in order to resolve any issues that you may be experiencing with your computer. This mode will allow you to identify and correct any problematic drivers or software that may be the root of your issues. This article will discuss Windows 11 Safe Mode, how to access it, how it can diagnose and fix issues on your Windows computer, and how to access it. We want to make sure that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to make the most of Safe Mode in Windows, regardless of how much experience you have using the operating system.
How to Boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode
From the Start menu

- Open Start on Windows 11.
- Click the Power menu.
- Press and hold the Shift key and then click the Restart button.
- Click the Troubleshoot option.
- Click on Advanced options.
- Click the Startup Settings option.
- Click the Restart button.
- Select “4” or press the “F4” key to boot in Safe Mode modes on Windows 11
From the Recovery settings
- Open Settings.
- Click on System.
- Click on Recovery.
- Under the “Advanced startup” section, click the Restart now button.
- Click the Restart now button again on Windows 11.
- Click the Troubleshoot option.
- Click the Advanced options button.
- Click the Startup Settings option.
- Click the Restart button.
- Select “4” or press the “F4” key to boot in Safe Mode modes on Windows 11.
From the Sign-in screen
- Click the Power button from the bottom right.
- Press and hold the Shift key and then click the Restart button.
- Click the Troubleshoot option.
- Click on Advanced options.
- Click the Startup Settings option.
- Click the Restart button.
- Select “4” or press the “F4” key to boot in Safe Mode modes on Windows 11.Quick tip: You can also choose “5” or press the “F5” key to start the troubleshooting mode with Networking or select “6” or press the “F6” key to start with Command Prompt.
From the Command Prompt
- Open Start.
- Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
- Bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
- Restart the computer.
- In the “Windows Boot Manager” menu, press the “F8” key to access the Startup Settings menu options.
- Select “4” or press the “F4” key to boot in Safe Mode modes on Windows 11.
Why use Safe Mode?
- As a last resort, you can use Safe Mode to fix problems with your computer. You can find out if a problem is caused by a third-party app or driver by starting up in Safe Mode.
- Malware Removal: Safe Mode can help you get rid of viruses and malware on your computer. In Safe Mode, only the most important drivers and processes are loaded. This makes it easier to find and get rid of malicious software.
- Problems with Drivers: If your computer is acting up because of new drivers, you can use Safe Mode to remove or roll back those drivers. This can help fix problems with compatibility.
- When you use System Restore, Safe Mode is often used along with it. If something is wrong with your computer, you can use Safe Mode to get to System Restore and return it to a state where it was working properly.
- Fixing Software Problems: Installing or updating some software can make your system work less well. Safe Mode lets you remove or fix this kind of software without other programmes getting in the way.
- Diagnostic Testing: If your system is crashing or becoming unstable, starting it up in Safe Mode can help you figure out whether the problem is with the hardware or the software. If your system works fine in Safe Mode, it means the issue could be with the software.
The Different Types of Safe Mode and When to Use Them
- Safe Mode: Windows will start with a minimal set of drivers and files. Network connectivity is disabled as well.
- Safe Mode with Networking: Windows will start with a basic set of drivers in addition to the network drivers necessary to connect to a network or the Internet. Wi-Fi connectivity is not available in this mode.
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt: For advanced users who want to access the Command Prompt in safe mode and don’t need the Windows graphical interface.
Advanced Safe Mode Options in Windows 11
- Access Windows Security by either clicking on the shield icon in the taskbar or searching for it in the Start menu.
- In Windows Security, click on Virus & threat protection.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click on Manage settings under the “Virus & threat protection settings” section.
- Under the “Virus & threat protection updates” section, click on Advanced options.
- Here, you will find the Advanced options for updating your virus and threat protection. You can toggle options such as “Cloud-delivered protection,” “Automatic sample submission,” and “Tamper protection.”
- To access Advanced Startup Options, go to the Start menu, click on the Power icon, hold down the Shift key, and click on Restart. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > System > Recovery and under “Advanced startup,” click on Restart now.
- In the Advanced Startup Options, you can choose from various troubleshooting options such as Startup Repair, System Restore, Command Prompt, and more. This is useful for resolving issues that may be preventing Windows from starting normally.
- To enable Safe Mode from the Advanced Startup Options, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings, and click on Restart. After the restart, you can press the corresponding number key for the desired Safe Mode option (e.g., 4 for Safe Mode, 5 for Safe Mode with Networking).
Conclusion
Launching the operating system on your computer is one of the steps involved in the process of booting Windows. The Safe Mode of an operating system is a diagnostic mode that starts the computer with the bare minimum of the drivers, services, and applications that are necessary for the computer to function properly. The system is able to diagnose and repair a variety of problems that are preventing the computer from functioning properly when it is started in the Windows Safe mode.
Questions and Answers
To begin the boot process in Safe Mode, press the F4 key. Press the F5 key to boot into Safe Mode with Networking, and press the F6 key to boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt. These are the other two options available within Safe Mode.
Attempting to boot a Windows 11 PC into Safe Mode with the outdated method of using F8 or Shift + F8 is unsuccessful. This is because, rather than the more common BIOS, the firmware of a computer running Windows 11 uses UEFI to communicate with the operating system. When Windows 11 is booted into Safe Mode, only the fundamental and absolutely necessary features and supporting drivers are loaded.
Following the restart of your computer, you will be presented with a list of different options. To start your computer in Safe Mode, select 4 or press the F4 key. You can also choose option 5 or press the F5 key to enter Safe Mode with Networking if you need to use the internet.
While Windows 10 is starting up, you have the option of pressing the [F8] key on your keyboard. You may also be able to do this by pressing the key combination [Shift] + [F8] or [Ctrl] + [F8], depending on the type of computer you have. Alternately, you could try pressing [Esc], [Del], [F1], [F2], or [F10] to see if that helps.