How to Open Windows in Safe Mode: A Step-by-Step Guide

When Windows 11 starts acting… weird—random crashes, black screens, stubborn drivers—Safe Mode is your no-drama rescue plan. It boots Windows with only the essentials so you can diagnose problems without the noise of extra drivers, apps, or services. In this guide, you’ll learn every reliable way to open Safe Mode on Windows 11 (with or without a working screen), what each Safe Mode option actually does, how to get back out, and the smartest fixes to try while you’re there.

Table of Contents

What Is Safe Mode (and Why It Works)?

Safe Mode launches Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. That means no fancy graphics driver, no third-party startup apps, and no questionable background tools. Think of it like starting your car with just the engine and brakes—enough to move, not enough to race.

The Three Safe Mode Types in Windows 11

Safe Mode (Minimal): The plain version. Loads only core drivers and the basic desktop.
Safe Mode with Networking: Same as Minimal plus network drivers and services. Use this if you need to download tools or updates.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Boots to a command window instead of the desktop. Great for advanced repairs.

Quick keys later: 4/F4 = Minimal, 5/F5 = Networking, 6/F6 = Command Prompt.

Before You Start: Read This First

BitLocker: If your system drive is encrypted, Windows may ask for your BitLocker recovery key when entering repairs or Safe Mode. Have it ready (Microsoft account > Devices > BitLocker Recovery Keys).
Account password: If you normally use a PIN or Windows Hello, Safe Mode may prompt for your account password instead.
Peripherals: Disconnect non-essential USB gear (docks, cameras, gamepads) to avoid driver conflicts.

Method 1: Open Safe Mode via Settings (Advanced Startup)

This is the most straightforward way from a working desktop.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to System → Recovery.
Under Advanced startup, click Restart now → Restart now.
On the blue Choose an option screen:
- Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
After restart, press:
- 4 or F4 for Safe Mode
- 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking
- 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt

When to use: You can still log in and navigate Windows.

Method 2: Shift + Restart (From Start Menu or Lock Screen)

Perfect if you can reach the login screen but not the desktop.

On the sign-in screen or desktop Power menu, hold Shift, click Restart, keep holding Shift until the blue screen appears.
Then follow: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → 4/5/6.

When to use: Desktop is flaky, but you can at least reach the sign-in screen.

Method 3: Trigger Windows Recovery from a Black/Blank Screen

If Windows won’t load normally:

Force-interrupt boot three times: power on, as soon as you see the spinning dots/Windows logo, hold the power button to turn off.
On the third try, Windows enters Recovery Environment (WinRE) automatically.
Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → 4/5/6.

When to use: Black screen or endless boot loop.

Method 4: System Configuration (msconfig) “Safe Boot” Toggle

This method forces Safe Mode on the next (and every) boot—until you undo it.

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, press Enter.
Go to Boot tab → check Safe boot.
- Minimal = Safe Mode
- Network = Safe Mode with Networking
- Alternate shell = Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Click OK → Restart.

⚠️ Important: When you’re done troubleshooting, open msconfig again and uncheck Safe boot, or you’ll keep booting into Safe Mode forever.

Method 5: Enable the Classic F8 Boot Menu (Optional/Advanced)

Windows 11 hides the old F8 menu, but you can turn it back on.

Open Command Prompt (Admin): press Windows + X → Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Run: bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
Restart and tap F8 during boot to see the Advanced Boot Options menu.

Revert later (recommended):

bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy standard

Method 6: Safe Mode Using a Recovery USB or Install Media

If Windows won’t enter WinRE, boot from a USB:

Create a Windows 11 USB (from another PC if needed) using the Media Creation Tool.
Boot from the USB (change boot order or press your device’s boot key—often F12, F2, Esc, or Del).
Click Repair your computer (not Install) → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → 4/5/6.

When to use: System files are too damaged to reach the recovery screens.

Method 7: Command-Line Switch to Force Safe Mode (bcdedit)

Flip Safe Mode on for the next boot—even from a command window.

Turn on Safe Mode (Minimal):

bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal

Turn on Safe Mode with Networking:

bcdedit /set {current} safeboot network

Turn off Safe Mode (restore normal boot):

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

Run these in Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin). If you get stuck in Safe Mode, use the deletevalue command.

What the Startup Settings Numbers Mean

When you see the numbered list after Startup Settings → Restart, here’s the cheat sheet:

4 / F4 – Enable Safe Mode
5 / F5 – Enable Safe Mode with Networking
6 / F6 – Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt
7 / F7 – Disable driver signature enforcement (handy for test drivers)
8 / F8 – Disable early launch anti-malware protection
9 – Disable automatic restart after failure

What To Do Once You’re in Safe Mode

Safe Mode isn’t the destination—it’s your workshop. Here’s how to use it wisely.

1) Roll Back or Reinstall Problem Drivers

Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
Expand the problematic device (often Display adapters, Sound, Network adapters).
Right-click → Properties → Driver tab → Roll Back Driver (if available) or Uninstall device → Restart.

2) Uninstall Problematic Updates

Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates.
Remove a recent Quality Update or Driver update you suspect caused the issue.

3) Remove Recently Installed Apps

Settings → Apps → Installed apps → sort by Install date → Uninstall suspicious entries.

4) Run System File Checker & DISM

Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

sfc /scannow

Then repair the component store:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Reboot normally.

5) Clean Boot (Nuke Startup Conflicts)

A clean boot loads only Microsoft services—great for tracking down stubborn conflicts.

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, hit Enter.
Services tab → check Hide all Microsoft services → Disable all.
Startup tab → Open Task Manager → disable all high-impact startup items.
Apply → OK → Restart.
Add services/startups back in small batches to find the culprit.

6) Malware Scan

Run Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Quick scan (or Full scan if time allows).
Prefer Safe Mode with Networking to update definitions first.

How to Exit Safe Mode (Don’t Skip This)

Pick the path that matches how you entered.

If you used msconfig: open msconfig → Boot tab → uncheck Safe boot → OK → Restart.
If you used bcdedit: run bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot then restart.
If you used Startup Settings: simply restart your PC; it will boot normally (unless you forced Safe boot via msconfig/bcdedit).

Troubleshooting: Safe Mode Won’t Start

BitLocker key requested: Retrieve it from your Microsoft account devices page or your organization’s admin.
Keyboard not responding on Startup Settings screen: Try a wired USB keyboard or different USB port.
Can’t log in (PIN not accepted): Click Sign-in options and choose password.
Stuck in Safe Mode: Undo msconfig or bcdedit changes (see above).
Boot loops instantly: Boot from a USB installer → Repair your computer → Startup Repair or use System Restore if a restore point exists.

Pro Tips for Fewer “Emergency” Safe Mode Trips

Create a Recovery Drive: Search Create a recovery drive and follow the wizard (check Back up system files).
Keep drivers current: Update GPU, chipset, and storage drivers from OEM sites.
Leave some free space: Aim for 15–20% free on the system drive; low space causes weirdness.
Make restore points before big changes: Search Create a restore point → Create.

Quick Reference: Safe Mode Options & Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut/Path
Settings path to Safe Mode	Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now
Shift + Restart path	Hold Shift → Restart (from desktop or sign-in screen)
Startup Settings keys	4/F4 Minimal, 5/F5 Networking, 6/F6 Command Prompt
Force WinRE	Interrupt boot 3× with hard power-off
msconfig toggle	`msconfig` → Boot → Safe boot
bcdedit on/off	`bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal` → on; `bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot` → off
Classic F8 menu	`bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy`

Common Safe Mode Myths (Busted)

“Safe Mode fixes problems.”
Not by itself—you fix problems in the controlled environment Safe Mode provides.
“Safe Mode is unsafe for data.”
It’s actually safer because fewer drivers/services run, reducing interference.
“Networking in Safe Mode is risky.”
It’s fine; just avoid downloading from untrusted sources.

Example Repair Flow You Can Follow

Boot Safe Mode with Networking.
Uninstall the last driver/update.
Run sfc /scannow, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
Clean boot and re-test.
Update drivers from OEM sites only.
Exit Safe Mode and verify normal boot.

When to Reinstall Windows Instead

If Safe Mode, SFC/DISM, Startup Repair, and System Restore don’t help—and crashes persist even in Safe Mode—back up your files and perform a Repair Install (In-place Upgrade) or a Reset this PC (keep files). Sometimes a clean slate is faster than endless whack-a-mole.

Conclusion

Safe Mode is the fastest way to separate Windows problems from everything else. Whether you jump in via Settings, Shift + Restart, msconfig, bcdedit, or a USB stick, you now have multiple routes—plus a solid checklist of fixes to try once you’re inside. Use it to roll back drivers, remove bad updates, scan for malware, and repair system files. And when you’re done, don’t forget to switch Safe Mode off so Windows 11 boots normally next time.

FAQs

1) Will Safe Mode delete my files?
No. Safe Mode doesn’t delete data—it only loads minimal drivers and services. Any changes you make (like uninstalling apps) are up to you.

2) I can’t use my PIN in Safe Mode—why?
Safe Mode may require your account password instead. Click Sign-in options and choose Password.

3) Which Safe Mode should I pick?
Start with Minimal (4/F4). If you need internet to download tools, use Networking (5/F5). For advanced command-line fixes, use Command Prompt (6/F6).

4) I’m stuck in Safe Mode—help!
Open msconfig and uncheck Safe boot, or run:

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

Then restart.

5) Startup Settings doesn’t appear—what now?
Force Windows into Recovery: power on → interrupt boot three times with a hard shutdown. Or boot from a Windows 11 USB installer, click Repair your computer, and follow Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.