How to start Windows in Safe Mode: Tips and steps

Introduction

Sometime computer not working properly due to issues with operating system. Its always recommended to start Windows in Safe Mode, it is a way of diagnose computer issues and booting of windows operating system in order to run diagnostic tasks on your installation. When you start windows in safe mode into then operating system only loads the minimum of software that is required for the operating system to work. Windows safe mode is designed to let you troubleshoot and run diagnostics on your computer. Windows Safe Mode loads a basic video drivers software so your programs may look different than normal.

Booting into safe mode also depends upon operating system. For Win98/ME, XP, Vista and Windows 7 there are two methods, while in 95 and 2000 only have one. We will describe these methods below:

F8 Key - By pressing the F8 key for more than 5 seconds when Windows starts, usually right after you hear your computer beep when you reboot it, then you can see menu where you can choose to boot into safe mode. If its not works in first attempt then again reboot and try again as you have to be quick when you press it. I have found that during boot up right after the computer shows you all the equipment.

System Configuration Utility - You can use the System Configuration Utility, or MSCONFIG, found in Windows 98, ME, XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 to make Windows boot into Safe Mode on the next reboot. We will go into specific details in the sections below. Please note, that you should not force your computer to boot into Safe Mode using the System Configuration Utility if you suspect you are infected with malware as the malware may corrupt keys required to boot into Safe Mode. You can read more about this here.

Windows 95

Windows 95 can only boot into Safe Mode using the F8 method as it does not have a System Configuration Utility.
Using the F8 Method:

1.First Restart your computer.

2. When the machine first starts it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory,    hard drives installed etc. When it is finished with that it will say "Starting Windows 95". Immediately after seeing    "Starting Windows 95" press the F8 key.

3.Now you can see menu select safe mode with the help of arrow key.

4.Press enter on your keyboard to go to safe mode.

5.Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.


Windows XP:

Using the F8 Method:


1.First Restart your computer.

2. When the machine first starts it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory,    hard drives installed etc. When it is finished with that it will say "Starting Windows 95". Immediately after seeing    "Starting Windows 95" press the F8 key.

3.Now you can see menu select safe mode with the help of arrow key.

4.Press enter on your keyboard to go to safe mode.

5.Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

Windows Vista:

1.First Restart your computer.

2. When the machine first starts it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory,    hard drives installed etc. When it is finished with that it will say "Starting Windows 95". Immediately after seeing    "Starting Windows 95" press the F8 key.

3.Now you can see menu select safe mode with the help of arrow key.

4.Press enter on your keyboard to go to safe mode.

5.Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.


Using the System Configuration Tool Method:


Close any running programs and open Windows so you are back at the desktop.

1.Click on the Start () button.

2. Then in the Start Menu Search Box () type msconfig and press enter.

3. Now the System Configuration utility will open and you will see a screen similar to the one below.
Click on the Boot tab.

4. Now you will be at boot button menu.


5.Click on the checkbox labeled Safe boot

6. Now Press the Apply button and then press the OK button.

7. You will now be presented with a prompt stating that you need to reboot the computer to apply the change.

8. Then again Click on the Restart button to reboot your computer.

9. After this Your computer or laptop will now restart directly into Safe Mode. When you get to the Vista logon screen, log on to the computer.

10. When task completed, from within Safe Mode, start msconfig.

11. When the program is open, and you are on the General tab, select the option labeled Normal Startup.

12. Then press the Apply button and then the OK button.

13. When the programs prompts you to reboot, allow it to do so, and you will boot back into Windows Vista in normal mode.




Windows 7
Using the F8 Method:

1. First Restart your computer.

2. When the computer starts then you can see the computer's hardware being listed. When you see this information start to gently tap the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly until you are presented with the Windows 7 Advanced Boot Options screen

3. Using arrow keys to select safe mode option.

4.Press enter to boot into safe mode in windows 7.

5. When Windows starts you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer and Windows 7 will enter Safe mode.