Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a way to start your computer running in a "bare bones" configuration. This means that your computer will be started with the bare minimum of software, drivers and DLL files for your OS to work. This mode of operating is designed to let you troubleshoot and run diagnostics on your computer. Safe Mode loads a basic video drivers so your programs may look different than normal. This is the recommended mode to run administrative and diagnostic tasks on your computer.

One of the simplest methods to boot into Safe Mode is by using the MSConfig utility. To do this you click Start, Run, and type in msconfig. Next you select Diagnostic Startup. Click Apply, then OK and restart your computer. The most common method for accessing Safe Mode is the F8 method. Below the F8 method will be covered. Depending on your machine and your familiarity with this process, it may take a few tries. To reduce any chance that you may need to reboot more than once to access Safe Mode, there will be detailed coverage of how to boot into Safe Mode for each Windows Operating System.

Booting to Safe Mode

F8 - By pressing the F8 key when your computer begins to boot you will have the option to load into Safe Mode. You will need to press the F8 key before your Windows splash screen displays. The best time to begin pressing the F8 key is as soon as you power your computer on. Your BIOS splash screen will show and begin loading everything. If you have purchased an OEM machine from a manufacturer such as Gateway, Dell, Acer or another company, you will see their logo as a BIOS splash.

Legacy Windows

Windows 7

1. Restart your computer.
2. At your BIOS splash screen, begin pressing the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with the "Windows 7 Advanced Boot Options".
3. Select the Safe Mode option using the arrow keys.
4. Then press the Enter key on your keyboard to boot into Windows 7 Safe Mode.
5. When Windows starts you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer and Windows 7 will enter Safe mode.
6. Perform all the tasks that you need to.
7. Reboot your computer in order to exit Safe Mode and return to your normal operating mode.

Windows Vista

1. Restart your computer.
2. At your BIOS splash screen, begin pressing the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with the "Windows Vista Advanced Boot Options".
3. Select the Safe Mode option using the arrow keys.
4. Then press the Enter key on your keyboard to boot into Vista Safe Mode.
5. When Windows starts you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer and Vista will enter Safe mode.
6. Perform all the tasks that you need to.
7. Reboot your computer in order to exit Safe Mode and return to your normal operating mode.

Windows XP

1. Restart your computer.
2. At your BIOS splash screen, begin pressing the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a "Windows XP Advanced Options" menu.
3. Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.
4. Then press Enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.
5. Perform all the tasks that you need to.
6. Reboot your computer in order to exit Safe Mode and return to your normal operating mode.

Windows 2000

1. Restart your computer.
2. When you see the screen that has a black and white bar at the bottom stating "Starting Windows", tap the F8 key repeatedly until you get to the Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, which is usually the first in the list and press Enter.
4. Your computer will now boot into Safe Mode.
5. Perform all the tasks that you need to.
6. Reboot your computer in order to exit Safe Mode and return to your normal operating mode.

Windows 98/Me

1. Restart your computer.
2. At your BIOS splash screen, begin pressing F8.
3. You will now be presented with a menu. Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.
4. Then press Enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.
5. Perform all the tasks that you need to.
6. Reboot your computer in order to exit Safe Mode and return to your normal operating mode.

Windows 95

1. Restart your computer.
2. After your BIOS splash screen your computer will say "Starting Windows 95". At this point you should begin pressing the F8 key.
3. You will now be presented with a menu. Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.
4. Then press Enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.
5. Perform all the tasks that you need to.
6. Reboot your computer in order to exit Safe Mode and return to your normal operating mode.