There are numerous problems that we can experience when using Windows 10, as the solutions are also numerous. However, there is a class of especially worrying errors: Those that prevent the operating system from booting normally. For these situations we have Safe mode in Windows 10. We are going to talk about him in this article.
To clarify concepts, the name currently used by the Microsoft operating system is "Safe Mode", although there are still many users who refer to it as "Safe Mode." In reality, it is exactly the same thing.
What is Safe Mode?
Safe Mode, known as Safe Mode before the release of Windows 7, has many useful applications for Windows users. Basically what this mode does is limit the number of startup items each time we turn on the PC. That is, getting the system to start with the strictly necessary elements and nothing more.
In this way, all third-party processes and services, as well as certain Windows services considered non-essential, such as installers or wallpaper, will be excluded from the boot process. It doesn't even allow antivirus to start.
The basic idea is to boot with the minimum with which the operating system can start. From there, it is possible detect the origin of errors that are affecting our team.
How to access Safe Mode in Windows 11
In Windows 11, access to safe mode is among the operating system's advanced startup options. To get it started we have several ways:
From Windows settings
It is the easiest way to open safe mode. All you have to do is use the key combination Windows + I to open the Configuration window, then go to the section Update and security, select the option Recovery and, in it, go to Advanced start.
Finally, you have to click on the button "Restart now", with which Windows will open advanced startup (see image above).
Using Shift + Restart
Another way to restart your computer in safe mode is to force the operating system's advanced boot options as follows: on the keyboard, we hold down the Shift key and at the same time, we select the restart option in the Windows start menu.
With the power button
When the PC has been stuck with a totally white or totally black screen and there seems to be no way out of this situation, there is something we can do. Is about press the start button for about 10 seconds of the computer, with which we will be able to turn it off.
Then, press the same button again and, during startup, when the manufacturer's logo appears, press again for 10 seconds to turn off the PC again. And now, for the third time we press the same button again, after which we will definitively access the recovery screen.
With the F8 key
Finally, an old trick that dates back to the days of Windows XP, but that works: during startup, you have to repeatedly press the F8 key until advanced startup opens.
Advanced Home: Windows 10 Safe Mode
All the methods explained in the previous section are used to access Windows Advanced Startup: a blue screen with several options in which we must select the one "Solve problems". When you click on it, a new screen opens with the following options:
- Reset this computer.
- Advanced.
We have to choose the second option and continue. On the new screen we find various Windows functions and tools that can help us detect and solve problems. To enter Safe Mode, we select the option "Startup Settings". And in the next window, we click "Restart".
At this point we will find a list with different boot options:
- Enable debugging.
- Enable boot logging.
- Enable low resolution video.
- Enable safe mode.
- Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
- Enable safe mode with command prompt.
- Disable the mandatory use of signed drivers.
- Disable early start anti-malware protection.
- Disable automatic restart after error.
Depending on what our problem is, we simply press the key with the number corresponding to each case. We will know that we are in Safe Mode by the special aesthetics of Windows, with a black background and watermarks. A "spartan" way without frills.
Exit Windows 10 Safe Mode
Once we have completed the work of making changes and configurations in Windows to correct the problems, To exit Safe Mode and restart Windows normally, all we have to do is restart the pc.
If, when returning to normal Windows, we continue to experience problems, we will have to re-enter safe mode (now that we know how to do it) and try another solution. That easy.
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