How To Get Windows 11 Out of Safe Mode A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 25, 2025

Ever booted your PC and thought, “Why is everything so bare-bones and ugly?” That’s Safe Mode — Windows’ minimal, no-frills way to run only the essentials so you can fix problems. But what if you can’t get back to normal? Don’t worry — in this guide we’ll walk you through multiple safe, tested ways to get Windows 11 out of Safe Mode and back to normal operation. We’ll use plain language, step-by-step instructions, and troubleshooting tips so you can choose the right method for your situation.

Quick summary — Key takeaways (read first)

  • If Windows 11 boots into Safe Mode, don’t panic — files are intact; only non-essential drivers/apps are disabled.

  • Common quick fixes: simple restart, disable Safe Boot in msconfig, or use Advanced Startup / Startup Settings.

  • If Safe Mode persists, use bcdedit to remove the safeboot flag or run System Restore, SFC/DISM, or uninstall bad updates/drivers.

  • Always save recovered files to a different drive and create backups to avoid future headaches.

What is Safe Mode in Windows 11?

Safe Mode is a diagnostic boot option that loads Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. Think of it like removing all the furniture from a room to find a loose floorboard — you’re stripping Windows down so you can find and fix problems without distractions.

Variants you may see:

  • Safe Mode (Minimal) — basic drivers only.

  • Safe Mode with Networking — adds network drivers.

  • Safe Mode with Command Prompt — boots to CMD for advanced fixes.

Why does Windows 11 boot into Safe Mode?

Here are the most common reasons:

  • You (or someone) enabled Safe Mode in msconfig.

  • A recent driver or software install caused instability.

  • Windows detected repeated crashes and booted into Safe Mode automatically.

  • Corrupted system files or a failed update.

  • Malware interfering with normal startup.

Knowing why it happened helps you pick the right fix. Did you set Safe Mode intentionally? Or did Windows force it after a crash? Let’s start with the simplest fixes.

Quick checklist — what to do before trying anything else

  1. Save any unsaved work (if possible).

  2. Note whether you’re in Safe Mode with Networking or without (top-right corner).

  3. If you enabled Safe Mode knowingly (msconfig), remember that setting.

  4. Don’t re-install Windows yet — try the non-destructive methods below first.

Method 1 — Restart your PC (the quickest fix)

Sometimes Safe Mode was a one-off. A normal restart can take you back to regular mode.

Steps

  1. Click Start → Power → Restart.

  2. Wait for Windows to reboot completely.

If that doesn’t work, try a full restart:

  • Press Windows key + X → Windows Terminal (Admin) → run:

    shutdown /r /t 0

This forces an immediate reboot.

Method 2 — Disable Safe Mode using System Configuration (msconfig)

If Safe Mode was turned on via System Configuration, you’ll need to turn it off there.

Why this works: msconfig can set Windows to always boot into Safe Mode. Unchecking that returns you to normal boot.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run.

  2. Type msconfig and press Enter.

  3. Go to the Boot tab.

  4. Under Boot options, uncheck Safe boot (if it’s checked).

  5. Click Apply, then OK.

  6. Choose Restart when prompted.

After restart, Windows should boot normally. If it doesn’t, move to the Command Prompt method.

Method 3 — Exit Safe Mode using Settings → Advanced Startup

This method uses the Windows 11 Settings UI to reboot into normal mode via recovery options.

Steps

  1. Open Settings (Win + I).

  2. Go to System → Recovery.

  3. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.

  4. After reboot, choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.

  5. When the Startup Settings screen appears, press 4 or F4 for normal boot (or 5/F5 for Safe Mode with Networking — avoid that if you want normal mode).

  6. Windows will reboot — choose the normal startup option.

This method is useful when GUI settings were affected and you want to use the recovery menu.

Method 4 — Use the Command Prompt and BCDEdit to remove safeboot

If Safe Mode persists because of a boot configuration flag, BCDEdit can remove it. This is the most direct “turn off the safeboot setting” method.

Important: Run these commands as an administrator. Mistyping BCDEdit commands can affect your boot configuration, so copy/paste carefully.

Steps

  1. Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt as Administrator.

    • Press Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.

  2. To check current boot settings, run:

    bcdedit /enum {current}

  3. To remove the safeboot option, run:

    bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

    or (if you’re unsure which entry is active) use:

    bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot

  4. Restart your PC:

    shutdown /r /t 0

If bcdedit returns an error, double-check you’re running as admin and that the identifiers ({current} or {default}) are valid for your system.

Method 5 — Shift + Restart → Startup Settings (alternate Advanced Startup)

This is a fast way to access the same Startup Settings menu without digging into Settings.

Steps

  1. On the sign-in screen (or Start menu), hold Shift and click Restart.

  2. Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.

  3. After restart, press the number for the desired action — choose the option that returns you to normal mode (usually the default resume).

This works even when Windows is unstable because it forces the recovery environment.

What to do if Safe Mode keeps coming back (persistent safeboot)

If Windows keeps booting to Safe Mode after you’ve tried the above, one of these is likely happening:

  • msconfig still has Safe boot enabled.

  • A corrupted boot configuration instructs Windows to enter Safe Mode.

  • A driver or service repeatedly crashes, forcing Windows into Safe Mode.

  • A bad update or malware is interfering.

Try these targeted fixes:

1. Re-check msconfig

  • Open msconfig and confirm Safe boot is unchecked.

2. Remove safeboot with bcdedit (see Method 4)

3. Run SFC and DISM to repair system files

Steps

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Run System File Checker:

    sfc /scannow

  3. If SFC reports problems it can’t fix, run DISM:

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  4. After both complete, restart.

4. Uninstall recent updates or drivers

  • Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates

  • Device Manager: right-click a recently updated device → Uninstall device (then reboot).

5. System Restore

  • Use a restore point from before the issue: Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore or via WinRE → System Restore.

Repair tips — SFC, DISM, uninstall drivers, System Restore (step-by-step)

SFC (System File Checker)

  1. Admin Command Prompt → sfc /scannow

  2. Wait — may take 10–30 minutes.

  3. Follow on-screen instructions.

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)

  1. Admin Command Prompt → DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  2. Wait — can be 15–45 minutes depending on system and internet.

  3. Run sfc /scannow again.

Uninstalling a driver

  1. Press Win + X → Device Manager.

  2. Locate the device (e.g., Display adapters).

  3. Right-click → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver (if available) or Uninstall device.

  4. Restart.

Recovering when you can’t boot into normal mode (use WinRE)

If your PC won’t boot to the desktop at all, use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Access WinRE

  • From a powered-off system, hold Shift and press the power button twice to force interruptions, or use a Windows 11 installation media and choose Repair your computer.

In WinRE

  1. Choose Troubleshoot.

  2. Use Startup Repair, System Restore, or Command Prompt (for bcdedit, SFC, DISM).

  3. If nothing works, you can try Reset this PC (keep files option) or reinstall Windows.

When to consider a clean install or professional help

Try everything above before reinstalling. Consider a clean install or professional help if:

  • System files are severely corrupted and unrecoverable.

  • Hardware failure is suspected (drive, motherboard).

  • You have mission-critical data and software fixes fail.

Always backup data first (use Safe Mode with Networking or WinRE to copy files to external media).

Preventing accidental Safe Mode boots in the future

  • Don’t enable Safe Mode in msconfig unless you mean it.

  • Keep drivers and Windows up to date.

  • Install reputable antivirus to avoid malware that forces Safe Mode.

  • Create periodic system restore points and regular backups.

  • Enable automatic backups with OneDrive or an external drive.

Quick comparison — which method to use?

Method Difficulty Use when… Pros Cons
Restart Very Easy One-off Safe Mode Fast Often not enough
msconfig Easy You (or someone) set Safe boot Direct toggle Needs admin access
Settings → Advanced Startup Easy GUI-based repair User-friendly Requires booting to Settings
Shift+Restart Easy Quick access to WinRE Fast Needs sign-in screen or Start menu
BCDEdit Medium Persistent safeboot Removes boot flag directly Admin + accurate commands required
SFC/DISM/System Restore Medium System file issues Repairs underlying problems Can be time-consuming
Reset / Clean install Hard Severe corruption Resets system Data loss risk if not backed up

Conclusion — Your action plan to get Windows 11 out of Safe Mode

If you want the fastest route back to normal:

  1. Try a Restart.

  2. If that fails, open msconfig and uncheck Safe boot, then restart.

  3. Use Settings → Advanced startup or Shift + Restart to access Startup Settings.

  4. If Safe Mode persists, run bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot in an elevated Command Prompt.

  5. If system instability caused the Safe Mode, run SFC and DISM, uninstall recent drivers/updates, and use System Restore.

  6. Backup important files and consider a reset or professional help only after other options are exhausted.

You’ve got this. Pick the method that matches your comfort level — we recommend msconfig for most users, BCDEdit for stubborn cases, and WinRE/System Restore when repairs are needed.

FAQs — quick answers

Q1: How do I get Windows 11 out of Safe Mode quickly?
A: Try a normal Restart first. If that fails, open msconfig (Windows + R → msconfig) and uncheck Safe boot under the Boot tab, then restart.

Q2: Why does Windows 11 keep booting into Safe Mode?
A: Most likely msconfig has Safe boot enabled, a corrupt system file forces Safe Mode, or a recent driver/update is crashing the system. Use bcdedit or repair tools (SFC/DISM) to fix it.

Q3: Is it safe to remove safeboot with BCDEdit?
A: Yes — if you run the proper command as an administrator: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot. Be careful with BCDEdit; mistyping other options can alter boot settings.

Q4: Can I use Safe Mode to fix driver problems?
A: Absolutely. Safe Mode loads minimal drivers, letting you uninstall or roll back problematic drivers without the system crashing.

Q5: What if I can’t boot to desktop or WinRE?
A: Use Windows installation media (USB) to boot, choose Repair your computer, then try Startup Repair, System Restore, or Command Prompt options.

Final checklist — quick tools and commands

  • msconfig → Boot tab → uncheck Safe boot

  • bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot (Admin CMD)

  • sfc /scannow (Admin CMD)

  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (Admin CMD)

  • shutdown /r /t 0 (Immediate restart)

  • Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now

Related Posts:

Best Laptop Cases 99% OFF

Buy Now
X
Scroll to Top