Safe Mode / Start Your Computer in Safe Mode / How to Get into Windows Safe Mode?

What Is Safe Mode?

Safe mode is a special way for troubleshooting under Windows operating system on a computer. Computer user can fix system error via starting a computer in safe mode. Start a computer in safe mode is to prevent all non-windows applications from starting up so that to avoid windows from not starting normally. When you start a PC in safe mode, it means that you are starting your computer without booting up any third-party program, which can minimize the computer running in system mode.

Safe mode refers to windows operating system runs in a safe mode.
Safe mode will disable all non-windows applications.
Safe mode is available for all windows operating system including Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 8, etc.
In order to get into safe mode, you can press F8 while windows operating system is booting.

Main Functions of Safe Mode - When Can You Run a PC in Safe Mode?

1. Delete files that are refused to be removed

If your computer is running under windows operating system, you probably encountered such a problem that some files you wanted to delete from your computer refused to be removed since system will prompt that the file is in use once you clicking deleting option on those files. But as a matter of fact, the file is not in use. If you encounter such a problem again, you can reboot your computer in safe mode after which windows will delete those files permanently from your computer.

2. Perform a system restore

If you can’t boot your computer normally, you can boot it in safe mode by pressing F8 while windows OS is booting and select "Safe Mode". Then perform a system restore.

How to perform system restore?

Step1. After booting windows OS in safe mode, click "Start" ->> Programs ->> Accessories ->> System Tools ->> System Restore. Follow this way, you can open up the system restore wizard

Step2. Select "Restore my computer to an earlier time" option on the system restore wizard and click "Next".

Step3. Select the most recent system restore point on the "Select a Restore Point" page and click "Next" to perform the system restore.

Tip: The status of computer will restored to the previous state after system restore, so you had better backup important data before performing a system restore. Otherwise, you might lose those data after system restore.

3. Remove Computer Virus

Although we can find different anti-virus software online and we update the anti-virus software on our computer every day, we still cannot make sure that our computer won’t be infected with virus. Sometimes, anti-virus software is not able to delete or kinds of virus. Besides, some anti-virus programs are unable to run under DOS. In such a situation, we can start our computer in safe mode under which Windows only boot up basic Device Driver and it will be easier to remove the computer virus permanently and completely.

4. Disable Group Policy restriction

In fact, Group Policy can be restricted by loading registry key word. However, windows will not load the Group Policy restriction in safe mode. In order to disable the Group Policy restriction, you can press F8 before you enter into the Windows interface and select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt", and then type in "%windir%\System32\*.exe" (.exe refers to the application you want to boot) once you enter into the Windows interface.

5. Repair system fault

If computer is not boot up normally or runs unstably, you can restart your computer in safe mode before you try to restore the system. If the computer can boot up normally and run well in safe mode, it can automatically repair the registry problem after which you can also run the computer in normal mode.

6. Restore system settings

If you cannot start your computer normally after installing new programs or changing any system setting, you also need to restart the computer in safe mode. If the problem is caused by new installed software, you need to uninstall the software in safe mode. If the problem occurs after changing any system setting, you can restore the system setting in safe mode.

7. Find out malicious software

If your computer occurs some unexpected errors without any reason (such as you cannot open any site though the network is connected), you can run your computer in safe mode. If the problem can be solved in safe mode, probably some programs or services cause the network to be not connected.

Safe Mode Options

Three safe mode options are available for your choice based on problem you encounter. The three safe mode options are: Safe Mode with Command Prompt, Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode.

1. Safe Mode with Command Prompt

When you select this safe mode option, the windows will pop up Command box (MS-DOS prompt) so you can solve the problem in CMD.

2. Safe Mode with Networking

If you choose this safe mode option, you are able to access the network or internet in safe mode. In another word, you are unable to access the network if you choose the other two safe mode options.

3. Safe Mode

Safe mode option is the most basic option for computer users. If you select this option, your computer will boot up without any extra drivers or services.

How to Disable Safe Mode on a PC?

1. Click "Start" and choose "Run" option, type in "regedit" and click "OK" to open the Registry Editor.

2. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot, delete the "Minimal" and "Network" sub keys.

After you perform the two steps above, you will find that you will not be able to access safe mode by pressing F8 when you reboot your computer again.

Tip: You had better backup the sub keys before deleting them so that you can restore them from the backup in the future.