This is a Windows operating mode in which only the most necessary OS components are loaded. Loading only the essentials allows you to eliminate the influence of minor programs on the operation of the entire operating system. Safe mode allows you to boot your computer in case of a virus infection, driver conflict, or other software errors. In this material you will learn how to enable safe mode on Windows 7.

Enabling Safe Mode on Windows 7 is quite simple. All you need to do is restart the computer (if the computer is turned off and does not turn on, then just press the power button) and when the boot starts, press the F8 button. You need to press the button repeatedly until a list of Windows 7 boot options appears on the screen.

Please note that you need to start pressing the F8 button immediately after the computer starts booting; if you are late in pressing it, Windows will boot in normal mode. If you see that Windows has started loading normally (the logo appears), it means that you did not have time to press the F8 button. In this case, you need to restart your computer and try again.

If you press F8 at the right time, a menu of additional Windows boot options will appear in front of you (see screenshot below).

To enable it, you just need to select one of these options and press the Enter button. Please note that there are 3 options to boot in safe mode:

• – normal safe mode. In this option, only the most necessary components of the operating system are loaded. At the same time, the local network and the Internet do not work (the network driver does not load).
• Safe mode with loading network drivers– safe mode with loading network drivers. The same as the first option, but with support for a local network and the Internet.
• Safe Mode with Command Line Support– safe mode, in which the usual graphical interface does not work. After booting into this mode, a command line appears into which the user can enter commands.

Automatically enable safe mode on Windows 7

If the above method for enabling safe mode seems too complicated, then you can use automatic entry into safe mode. To do this, open the “Run” menu (Windows key combination + R) or and enter the command. After entering this command, a window called “System Configuration” should open. In this window, you need to go to the “Boot” tab, activate safe mode and save the settings by clicking on the “Ok” button.

After this, the computer needs to be restarted. The next time you boot your computer, Safe Mode will be enabled automatically.

It should be noted that after enabling this function, the computer will boot into safe mode every time. In order for the computer to start booting again in normal mode, you need to once again go to the “System Configuration” window (MSCONFIG command) and disable the “Safe Mode” function.

From this article, users can learn about ways to start Windows Safe Mode.

All methods for launching this mode for all versions of the operating system will be studied in detail.

What is Safe Mode?

PC Safe Mode is a mode in which drivers and systems are disabled. Experts recommend using this operating mode if you need to remove viruses that have appeared on your computer.

The user may notice that the computer's resolution has decreased and the desktop has become black. At the same time, inscriptions are visible along the edges of the display.

Often, by running the system in this mode, the user will be able to solve the existing problem. Please note that safe mode is only suitable for solving problems within the operating system.

It is not suitable for constant operation of the installed OS (for example, for editing documents, etc.).

If the user has problems with the computer, for example, with installed drivers or software (for example, they are downloaded automatically and the user is unable to uninstall it in standard operating mode), do not panic - because this problem can be dealt with safely personal computer mode.

To do this, go into it by pressing and holding the F8 key on your keyboard. Having answered the important question of what the “safe mode” function is, it is important to talk about how you can turn it off.

There are various ways to solve this problem. They differ only in the version of Windows used, that is, 7, 10 and others. So you should consider methods for all versions of Windows.

Common Methods

There are a couple of standard methods in any OS, using which you can enter this mode. Moreover, they are one of the simplest.

In order to use them, you do not need any special computer skills; you just need to carefully read the instructions, and then you will succeed.

So, let's begin. Login using the utility msconfig.

In the first method, we will use a special utility that will help us enter SafeMode. There is no need to download it anywhere, it is built into the OS.

Procedure:

Press Win+R and in the window that appears write

Msconfig

(The “WIN” button is located at the bottom of the keyboard, usually looks like a "Start" on the monitor screen.)

After that, click on the option "Downloads" and, indicating the installed version of Windows, check the box next to "Working in safe mode" .

This important point consists of several sub-points. When the user does not need secure Internet access, you can select the option "Minimal" . If you need stable network access, select the option "Net" .

Click OK and reboot your computer. Next, the PC will enter safe mode.

You will be able to continue the work you started and take the necessary actions. This is important: after all problems have been resolved, return to standard mode before continuing.

To do this, repeat the first step and click on the option, remove the option to enable safe mode.

However, when choosing this option, keep some details in mind: it is only suitable for those users who do not have difficulties loading the OS.

When Windows cannot be installed normally, or, for example, there are problems loading the desktop, it is worth trying other methods.

Login by pressing F8. As already mentioned, this method is only suitable when the user has problems loading the OS.

In such a situation, the user must take the following actions:

1. First turn on your computer and immediately press the small F8 button several times. As a result, a menu should appear. When working with some computers, you can use other keys or combinations (for example, shift + F8). This is important: when the display goes dark or the user sees the Windows message, it means that he did not succeed. In this case, you should wait until the system boots, and after restarting your computer, try again.

2. If the user succeeds, a menu will appear. Using the arrows, the user can easily select the desired mode. If he does not know what exactly he needs, he should stop at "Safe Mode" , since this option is considered universal. Having selected the required option using the arrows, the user must confirm his choice using the Enter key.

As a result of such actions, the computer will restart in safe mode.

But you need to keep in mind that the above algorithm of actions will not launch safe mode in Windows 10, because... The developers have disabled this option.

Safe mode in XP and 7 "seven"

If you use these OSs, then you can use the standard methods already mentioned.

If the operating system is starting, you should use the first method.

If nothing was possible to start, then use the second method. There are no specific prescribed steps.

VIDEO: How to enter safe mode in Windows 7 (XP)

How to enter safe mode in Windows 7 (XP)

Safe Mode in Windows 8

Do you have an "eight"? Do you have an urgent need to use Safe Mode? Again you can use the standard methods to do this, but there are at least 2 other ways besides them. Let's look at them in more detail.

Diagnostic tools

This method is relevant and will be useful only when the operating system was able to start on the computer.

Open "Options" – this icon is located on the side panel (to open this panel, place the mouse in the far right corner), click on "shutdown" by first pressing the Shift button and selecting.

If you did everything correctly, the diagnostic screen will open. In the window that opens, select "Diagnostics » -> “Add. Options" -> "Boot Options" and confirm "Reboot" .

In the next step you will see several download options. Choose an option "Enable Safe Mode" . Therefore, this is the F4 key.

When Safe Mode starts, you can do all the necessary actions. In order to start the standard PC mode, simply restart the computer.

A window will open in which you will see download options. We need point No. 4, so press “F4”.

Running from a Flash drive or CD

Although it is easy, if you are not an experienced user, then it is better to ask someone more knowledgeable, or just skip this option.

But if you decide to do everything yourself, then read the instructions carefully. Here a special bootable USB drive (flash drive) or a special bootable CD is used.

They can be made on any computer from any USB flash drive or CD, respectively.

Do the following:

1. Connect a USB drive (or CD) and boot from the media.

2. A window with date and time settings will appear. Don't be scared, just press the button "Further" .

3. In the window that opens, select "System Restore" . The diagnostic screen appears. Not the one we used in the previous method.

5. In the command line window that appears, enter the following, without quotes:

"bcdedit/setglobalsettings"

and press “Enter”

6. After finishing working in safe mode, write on the command line, again, without quotes -

"bcdedit /deletevalueadvancedoptions"

and going to the diagnostic screen when you turn on the OS will be disabled.

7. Close and click "Continue"

8. After the reboot, the system will offer a list of boot methods - select and press “F4”. The PC will now turn on in Safe Mode. Ready! Our goal has been achieved!

VIDEO: Windows 8 safe mode

Windows 8 safe mode

[Instructions] How to enter Safe Mode in the Windows operating system (XP/7/8/10)

Safe Mode in Windows 10

There are three methods for this version, one of them is described at the beginning of this article. They are practically no different from those used in Windows 8, but they also have their own nuances.

Now we will look in more detail. Let's begin!

Special download options

This option is suitable if Windows was able to start and your PC is working stably.

Certain steps need to be taken:

1. Select the item – "All parameters" – "Update and Security" – "Recovery" , and reboot the PC (if your PC does not have such a button, you should use another method). Opening again "Options" – "Diagnostics" , from there And "Boot Options" , press "Reboot" . We see a window in which you can select the download mode, where you can choose the most suitable method for you.

Boot Options Window

Using a flash drive or disk

Connect the flash drive or disk to the PC and open it. Next, press the key combination shift+F10. A command prompt will open.

Enter the following:

Bcdedit /setsafebootminimal

Close and restart the PC, which will start in safe mode.

To then start the computer in normal operating mode, open the command line and enter the following:

"bcdedit /deletevaluesafeboot"

VIDEO: Windows 10 Safe Mode

Windows 10 Safe Mode

[Instructions] How to enter Safe Mode in the Windows operating system (XP/7/8/10)

What to do if SafeMode does not start?

What if your PC does not want to start in safe mode under any circumstances?

The answer is quite simple: your PC has a lot of viruses and, as a result, the operating system registry has been damaged.

In such cases, you need to perform a system restore from a checkpoint, or install programs or applications that will restore the registry, or send it to a PC and laptop repair service.

The last method will be the most optimal, but if you don’t have friends who do this, or simply don’t have the money for repairs, then you can use the first option - Restoring your PC from a system restore point.

If you were unable to save the latest restore points or this feature was disabled in Windows, then the last thing left is to install programs to restore the Windows registry.

In this case you can use safemoderepair or safebootkeyrepair.

Backup method for enabling safe mode

There is another method for entering Windows safe mode.

While the computer is running, unplug the computer's power cord or allow your laptop battery to drain.

After this, the next time you start Windows, it will prompt you to start in safe mode.

But this method of enabling this mode is dangerous because information on the hard drive may be damaged or problems with the hardware may subsequently arise.

Safe mode is one of the ways to troubleshoot Windows OS problems. This method starts the system with settings to launch only system files, services and drivers. Other programs, as well as minor services and drivers, will not start, because this is necessary to detect and eliminate the source of the computer's inoperability.

This option is often used by experienced users. But if you carefully understand the guide, you can also learn how to start Windows 10/8/7 safe mode and debug the system. So, for example, if when starting the OS in a given configuration there are no errors in the system, then you can cross out the default parameters from the list of causes of the error.

There are three types of safe mode: simple; with command line support; with loading network drivers. These types are very similar, and the only difference is the loading of additional services and device drivers. Unfortunately, in Windows 10, the ability to launch this mode when pressing F8 was removed, so most users who updated or switched to version 10 are wondering about starting the system with these parameters. There are many methods for switching to safe use mode, and we will look at universal methods:

• Reset button;
• System configuration (msconfig);
• Special download options;
• OS installation disk.

Let's look at each of these methods in more detail.

How to enter safe mode by rebooting?

This method is convenient and simple, but not everyone can boast of having discovered it personally. So what should you do? You need to click on the “Windows” icon (“Start”), then select “Shut Down” - a selection menu will appear containing three shutdown options: “Hibernate”, “Shut down”, “Restart”. Hold down “Shift”, then click “Reboot”.

The picture on the monitor will change to blue, and the message “Please wait” will appear on your monitor. After loading, we see three possible options for action: “Continue”, “Diagnostics”, “Turn off the computer”. Of these three options, you need to select the second item - “Diagnostics”.

After clicking, a diagnostic menu will appear with three options: the first is “Restore”, the second is “Return to original state” and the third is “Advanced options”. You need to select "Advanced options".

After clicking on “Advanced options”, an action menu appears consisting of five sections. “System Restore” allows us to restore the Windows system using a restore point that was created earlier. “System Image Restore” helps you restore Windows using a system image that is located on removable media. "Startup Repair" allows you to eliminate problems that prevent the OS from starting. “Command Line” is a transition to the console, and “Boot Options” is just setting up configurations at startup.

Now after the reboot we see a blue picture with the boot settings, which already contains nine items. But only those whose numbers correspond to the following numbers are relevant to safe mode: 4, 5, 6. These points and their differences were discussed at the beginning of the article. So, each item is associated with a key: the first item is the F1 key, the second item is the F2 key, the third item is the F3 key, and so on. We need the fourth point, so press the F4 key. After this, it starts in safe mode. The image, as well as the ability to launch files and services, will be limited: do not be alarmed, because the mode is designed to detect errors.

How to enable safe mode through system configuration?

The msconfig command is a tool that is very useful and necessary for working on Windows. To launch this utility, we need to use the key combination on the keyboard “Win” + “R”. After clicking the buttons, a window will appear, and you need to write the “msconfig” command into it, and then press “OK” or “Enter”. There is another way to launch the Run window - we need to right-click on the Start icon, and then select Run.

The system configuration window will launch. Go to the “Boot” tab, there is a configuration for safe mode. First we need to select the operating system that we will run. In the section called “Boot Options” you need to check the box next to the “Safe Mode” section. In this tab you can also set a timeout, that is, a delay time for selecting the type of startup before the OS starts.

Note! The timeout value must be equal to or greater than ten.

Also in this tab it is possible to set these OS settings permanently; to do this, you need to check the appropriate box. And then click “Apply”, and then “OK”. All that remains is to reboot and select the startup mode. Once you are done with Safe Mode, you should log back into msconfig and enable the system to boot normally.

How to enter safe mode using the command line?

To use this method, we will need the command line: it is called up by clicking on the “Start” icon (right-clicking), and then selecting the “Command Prompt (Administrator)” section.

These actions will lead to the opening of a command line, and here you need to write commands that will be executed with the specified parameters. We enter:

Bcdedit /copy (current) /d “Safe Mode”

The command will set a new parameter in the msconfig utility. Going to the “Boot” tab, we will find the ability to launch an OS with the name “Safe Mode”. Next, go to “System Configuration” and go to the “Boot” section: there we will need to select “Safe Mode (C:/Windows)” and check the box next to “Safe Mode”.

All that remains is to reboot the computer and before starting Windows, select “Safe Mode” in the startup mode selection window. Now, every time you start your PC, a window will pop up asking you to select a boot type. To disable this function, you will need to do the following: use the key combination “Win” + “R”, enter the command “msconfig”, confirm by pressing Enter. The already familiar “System Configuration” window appears: go to the “Download” section. With the left mouse button, select the “Safe Mode” item and click “Delete”.

Special download options

We look for the notification icon located in the lower right corner, click on it, select the “All settings” section.

In the section that appears, we click on “Update and Security”.

After that, look for “Recovery”, click and in the right block click on “Restart now”.

The subsequent steps and actions are similar to method number one, which is presented at the beginning of the article, so we confirm the reboot.

Windows installation disc

You should use this method if you cannot start logging into the system. We place the boot disk in the PC drive and log in from it. Next, select the language, after which the following window should appear:

We need to find the inscription in the lower left corner of the “System Restore” window and click on it, then select “Diagnostics”, then “Advanced options” and then “Command Prompt”. A console will open, you need to write in it:

Bcdedit /set (default) safeboot minimal

After everything, we restart the computer and the OS automatically loads in safe use mode. To return to the previous state, you will need to enter the following command:

Bcdedit /deletevalue (default) safeboot

You can use another method by typing the following on the command line:

Bcdedit /set (globalsettings) advancedoptions true

After rebooting, the system will display system boot options. To disable this option, you will need to specify on the command line:

Bcdedit /deletevalue (globalsettings)advancedoptions

Note! The command is written in standard boot mode. If you don’t know how to exit Windows Safe Mode, we remind you that you can do this by simply restarting your PC.

In Windows 7, there are two ways to get into safe mode:
1) Entering Windows 7 safe mode at system startup.
2) Entering Safe Mode from the Windows 7 environment (from a running OS by changing the boot in System Configuration).

Entering Windows7 safe mode at system startup.

Turn on the computer and while the system is loading, press the F8 key several times; if the welcome window appears (Windows 7 logo), it means you did not have time to press the F8 key, in this case you need to wait for the system to boot and turn off the computer again and when loading, press again F8 key. When trying to get into safe mode, you need to consider:
- On some keyboards, the function keys F1–F12 are always disabled by default. To turn them on, you need to press a special key (usually Fn) and while holding it, press the F8 key.
- If your computer has two or more operating systems, use the arrow keys to select the one you want, and then press Enter.
- To use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad, Num Lock must be disabled.
In the window Additional download options select " Safe mode" and press the key " Enter».

After a few seconds, the system will boot into safe mode.

Entering Safe Mode from Windows 7.

Press the button " Start" and write in the search bar msconfig and press the " Enter»


In the window that opens system configuration, go to the “” tab and check the “ Safe mode" and select " Minimum».
For reference:
Safe Mode: Minimum- Boots the Windows graphical user interface (Windows Explorer) in safe mode, running only the most important system services. Network components are disabled.
Safe Mode: Another Shell- Boot Windows command line in safe mode, running only the most important system services. Network components and GUI are disabled.
Safe Mode: Active Directory Restore - Boots the Windows GUI in Safe Mode, running only the most critical system services and Active Directory.
Safe Mode: Network- Boots the Windows GUI in safe mode, running only the most important system services. Network components are enabled.
Without GUI - The Welcome screen does not appear while Windows is loading.
Download log - All information regarding the boot process is saved in the file %SystemRoot%Ntbtlog.txt.
Basic video- Boots Windows GUI in minimal VGA mode. This mode loads standard VGA drivers instead of display drivers that match the computer's video hardware.
OS information - Displays the names of loaded drivers during system boot.
Make these boot options permanent - Changes made to system settings are not tracked. You can change the settings later using System Setup, but only manually. If this option is selected, you will not be able to roll back changes by selecting Normal Startup on the General tab.

After this, you will be prompted to restart your computer to enter Windows 7 safe mode. If you want to boot into safe mode now, click "", if you want to do this later, select " Exit without reboot"And the next time you reboot or turn on your computer/laptop, automatically boot into safe mode.

The next time you boot Windows 7, the system will boot into Safe Mode.


In order not to boot into safe mode, you need to go into the system configuration again and uncheck the previously checked boxes.

Safe Mode is a diagnostic, debugging option for starting the operating system. It is used in case of malfunctions, freezes or inability to load Windows. Since such problems arise mainly due to incorrect operation of installed applications and drivers or malware entering the computer, safe mode can be very useful in such situations. In this mode, the operating system starts with a minimum of basic components, while other system services, as well as installed programs and drivers, remain inactive. This can help you identify the cause of the failure using a process of elimination and remove conflicting or dormant malware from the system. Safe Mode is also used to correctly roll back the operating system to a recovery point, reset the administrator password (if this is not possible in the main mode), access files and folders blocked in normal mode, and solve many other problems.

Safe Mode Options

Safe mode (the most commonly used option, starts the system with a minimum set of active components and graphical interface support);

Safe mode with loading network drivers (a similar option with additional support for working over a local network and Internet access);

Safe Mode with Command Line Support (starts the system without a graphical interface, all operations are performed by entering commands in cmd, to return to the mode with a graphical shell, use the explorer.exe command).

How to start safe mode

To enter Safe Mode, you can use one of the following methods.

1. Through the menu of additional boot options

Restart your computer by clicking on the menu icon Start → Shutdown→ . If your computer is frozen, click the button Reset to force reboot or hold power button Power to turn off the PC, and then turn it on again.

During restart (immediately after initializing the BIOS), press the key several times F8 to enter the menu.

Attention! Different motherboards may use different keys to enter the boot menuF1- F12, DELand others. Keyboard shortcuts can also be assigned, e.g.Shift + F..., Ctrl + F..., Fn + F...

After entering the menu Additional download options select the appropriate safe mode option using the arrows and ↓ on your keyboard and press Enter.

After this, Windows will boot into safe mode. To exit it, you need to restart your PC again.

2. Through Windows settings (System Configuration)

Click on the menu icon Start(you can also use the keyboard shortcut Win+R), in the line that appears, type the command msconfig and press Enter.

In the window that opens system configuration on the tab Are common check the option Diagnostic run.

and check the box next to the option Safe mode(also select download option: Minimum, Net etc.). Click OK and confirm reboot.

To exit Safe Mode, repeat the steps above, selecting the option Normal launch and unchecking the option Safe mode. Confirm the operation by clicking otherwise the computer will continue to boot in safe mode!

3. Via the command line (cmd)

Click on menu Start and in the line that appears, enter the command: cmd . Launch Command Prompt with administrator rights by right-clicking on cmd.exe and selecting the option Run as administrator.

In the command prompt window, enter the command: BCDedit and press Enter. After the system provides information about the PC configuration, pay attention to the section. In this section you need to remember identifier, since it will be used when composing commands to start safe mode.

bcdedit /set (ID) safeboot minimal - command to start safe mode;

bcdedit /set (ID) safeboot network - command to start safe mode with network support;

bcdedit /set (ID) safebootalternateshell yes - command to start safe mode with command prompt.

For example, the command to start simple safe mode in our example would look like this: bcdedit /set (current) safeboot minimal.

After completing the operation, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer. To exit safe mode, open Command Prompt again with administrator rights, enter the command: bcdedit /deletevalue (ID) safeboot and reboot the system, otherwise Windows will continue to boot in safe mode!