Safe Mode is a Windows diagnostic mode that starts Windows with essential system files and drivers to function in basic state. Safe Mode is typically used to undo Windows configuration errors, driver installs, and virus eradication.

There could be several ways to enter safe mode on Windows 11, we have listed all of them for you to decide which one to choose Safe Mode. Let’s get started!

What Are the Different Types of Safe Modes and When Should You Use Them?

Advanced Boot offers three different types of Safe Mode options used for different purposes. Let us see how to know which option to choose when opening Safe Mode :

• Safe Mode: Windows will start in Safe Mode with drivers and necessary system files in basic state. With this option, the network connection is also blocked.
• Safe Mode with Networking: Windows will start in Safe Mode with Networking with a basic set of drivers and the network drivers required to connect to a network or the Internet. This mode does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Safe Mode with Command Prompt: For experienced users who don’t require the Windows graphical interface but wish to use the Command Prompt in safe mode to perform scan or inspect disk.

1. How to Enter Safe Mode From the Settings Page

The Settings page is the simplest way to enter safe mode. You may visit the Advanced Start-up options and then boot into safe mode using the Recovery option. This is how you do it.

• To open Settings, press Win + I.
• Scroll down to the Recovery option under the System tab.
• For Advanced starting, click the Restart now option.
• To confirm the action, click the Restart now option.

• Click Troubleshoot on the Choose an option screen.

• Then choose Advanced settings.
• Under Advanced options, choose Start-up settings.

• To confirm & open the start-up-up settings, click the Restart button. Multiple numerical alternatives will appear on your screen in Windows.

• Depending on which safe mode you wish to enter, press the number, for example, 3. Now Windows will restart and enter safe mode.
• Restart your computer to leave safe mode, and Windows will boot normally.

2. Boot Into Safe Mode Using Command Prompt

Using the Command Prompt, you need to go to the Windows Recovery Environment. Then, using the start-up options, you may boot into safe mode.

• To open Run, press Win + R.
• To launch the Command Prompt, type cmd & click OK.
• Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and click Enter to run it:

shutdown.exe /r /o

• When a pop-up dialogue displays, click the Close button. That’s it. In one minute, Windows will restart. As a result, wait until the computer restarts and enters the Windows Recovery Environment.
• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up settings > Restart in Windows RE.
• To enter safe mode after the restart, hit the corresponding key.

3. How to Boot Into Safe Mode From Lock-Screen

Safe mode can also be accessed from the lock screen. This is how you do it.

• Restart your computer.
• To see your logon screen, hit any key while on the lock screen.
• Press and hold the Power button. Then, while holding down the Shift key, select Restart. If confirmation is requested, click Restart anyway.
• The Windows Recovery Environment will appear. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up settings > Restart from this point.
• To restart and enter safe mode, press 4.

4. Boot Into Safe Mode When Windows is Not Booting

All of the ways for entering the safe mode listed above require a functional computer with at least the logon screen accessible. So, how can you get into safe mode if Windows won’t boot or restarts quickly?

After three unsuccessful attempts to load the operating system, Windows defaults to the Windows Recovery Environment. You can force shut down your computer a few times to make Windows believe the system failed to start properly. It will then boot into Windows RE and let you change your startup options. This is how you do it.

• If your computer is on, turn it off.
• To turn on your computer, press the Power button. When it begins to load, press & hold the Power button to force the computer to shut down. To force the PC to shut down again, repeat the instructions.
• On the third try, push the power button and wait for Windows to load and boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.
• Click Troubleshoot under Choose an option.
• Then select Advanced options > Start-up settings > Restart from the drop-down menu.
• Press 4,5 or 6 after the restart to enter safe mode with several settings.

5. Using a Bootable USB Drive, do a Clean Boot

Try a clean boot if you’re having trouble getting into safe mode. Windows begins in clean boot mode with a limited set of drivers but more control over services and applications than safe mode.

The System Configuration dialogue may be used to do a clean boot. If you cannot boot into Windows, you can use a bootable USB device to do a clean boot.

If you don’t have installation media, use this tutorial to make a bootable USB drive for Windows 11. After that, follow the instructions below.

• Turn off your computer and plug in the bootable USB device.
• Hit the Power button and tap the F9 key on an HP laptop or F2 on a Lenovo laptop to bring up the Boot Manager. Depending on the laptop/motherboard manufacturer, the Boot Manager key may differ.
• Use the arrow keys to choose the bootable USB drive as the boot device in the Boot Manager. Select the option to launch the Windows Setup wizard by pressing Enter.
• Click Next in the Windows Setup process.
• Then, click Repair your machine in the bottom left corner to enter Windows RE.
• Go to Troubleshoot > Command Prompt under Choose an option.
• To modify the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file, execute the following command in the Command Prompt window and click Enter.
• The procedure will be performed successfully if it is successful.
• To quit Command Prompt, type exit and hit Enter.
• Click Continue in Windows RE. Clean boot mode will now be used to restart Windows.

Writers Tip:- In addition, we recommend installing Advanced System Optimizer, a system optimization utility that can assist clean and improving your PC. You can use it to remove junk files, unwanted or duplicate applications, etc.

Download & Install Advanced System Optimizer

The utility provides the following modules that help your computer run smoothly.

• Driver Updater
• Smart PC Care
• Registry Optimizers
• Disk Cleaners and Optimizers
• Security & Privacy
• Backup & Recovery
• Common Issue Fixer
• Regular Maintenance

Using all these modules, you can scan your computer for all the unwanted junk and apps. You can get rid of them to keep your PC running smoother than ever.

Conclusion

In Windows, safe mode is a useful diagnostic mode. It gives you access to crucial drivers and is useful for troubleshooting hardware problems. Clean boot is a good option for troubleshooting third-party vendor software issues. It lets you load your computer in basic state with essential drivers and system files to perform troubleshooting steps to resolve issues on computer without any distractions.. Also, use Advanced System Optimizer so that your computer delivers fast results and can be optimized.