Safe Mode or Safe Mode. How and why to use “safe mode”
What is this for?
Sometimes after installing a new one software or as a result of exposure to viruses is normal Windows work 7 is violated. Due to abnormal behavior of the OS, it is sometimes quite difficult to detect and eliminate the cause of its occurrence. This is where it can help safe mode(in non-Russian versions of the system it is called Safe Mode). In some Windows situations 7 automatically enters it during its startup after the PC freezes. However, more often the user himself has to boot Windows 7 in safe mode. What kind of mode is this, and how to start it?
Safe Mode is designed to diagnose and determine the cause of abnormal operation of the OS. It differs from normal system startup in that applications and drivers installed after installing the operating system will not be loaded. At the same time, it becomes possible to remove the virus or application that in the usual way is not removed, or the driver conflicts with other hardware.
1st way to boot into safe mode
When you turn on your PC, without waiting for the OS logo to appear, press and hold the F8 key. In some laptop models, one of the following may be used for this. function keys F1-F12. In this case, a menu of additional boot options appears on the screen, looking like:
The first three options refer to the desired option, but you should choose the first one - highlighted in white in the picture. This is done with the arrow keys, after which you need to press “Enter”. The system will start, after which a black window with a resolution of 640x480 pixels will appear, and the words “Safe Mode” will be located in the corners of the window.
The method described above is only valid if only one OS is installed on the PC. Otherwise, you will need to press F8 twice to launch Safe Mode. The first press will cause a boot loader message to appear indicating which system to boot. You should also select it using the arrow keys, press “Enter” and immediately press F8 again. The above window will appear with additional launch options.
The second way to launch Safe Mode
This method can be used when Windows 7 is already loaded. It consists of performing the following steps:
Safe Mode (English – Safe Mode)– diagnostic mode, in which all unnecessary drivers and Windows functions are disabled. Used to troubleshoot problems that arise in PC operation. You just need to start safe mode and fix the errors, after which the PC will work as it should again.
In what cases might you need to enter safe mode? For example, to solve the problem when .
Also, in this way you can remove viruses, reset your password, fix errors (incl. blue screen death), restore the system, etc.
There are several ways. Plus, they differ somewhat depending on what operating system you have. Therefore, below we will look at everything available methods How to enter Windows safe mode.
There are 2 universal methods that work for everyone Windows versions– XP, 7, 8 and 10. Moreover, they are the simplest. Perhaps we'll start with them.
Login via msconfig utility
The first way is through special utility. To do this you need to follow simple instructions:
- Press Win + R (the button between “Ctrl” and “Alt”) and enter the word “msconfig”.
- In the new window, select the “Boot” tab, indicate the desired OS and check the “Safe Mode” checkbox. There are a couple of sub-items here - it is recommended to choose either “minimal” (standard option) or “network” (in this case there will be access to the Internet).
- Click “OK” and restart your PC - now it will turn on in safe mode.
When you fix the errors, do not forget to return the computer to normal startup mode! This is done in exactly the same way - using the msconfig utility (only now you need to uncheck the box).
There is a small nuance here: in this way you can enable safe mode in Windows OS only if your OS boots normally. If you can’t even load the desktop, then use the second method.
Login using F8
This method is suitable for those whose PC or laptop does not turn on (the desktop does not load, the monitor goes dark, etc.). In this case, do the following:
- Turn on your PC (or laptop) and immediately press the F8 key repeatedly until a menu appears (in some cases you need to press Shift + F8).
- If the Windows logo appears or the screen goes dark, you failed. Wait until the system boots completely, then restart your PC and try again.
- When you do everything correctly, a menu will open where you use the arrows to select “Safe Mode” (the best option).
P.S. This method does not work on Windows 10! This function disabled by developers.
Special download options for Windows 10
If Windows starts, then you need to do the following:
What to do if Windows 10 does not start? If the PC boots before the login screen, then “Special boot options” can be opened in another way. To do this, click on the power button icon (in the lower right corner), hold down Shift and select “Restart”.
We use a disk or flash drive
This is the most reliable way boot Windows 10 in safe mode. But in this case, you need a DVD or (they can be recorded on any PC or laptop).
Connect a USB drive or insert a disk, load them (), and then do the following:
- After loading, press Shift + F10.
- After opening command line enter – bcdedit /set (default) safeboot minimal.
- Then close it and restart your PC. It will turn on.
To return the PC to normal startup, enter the following on the command line: bcdedit /deletevalue (default) safeboot.
You can do this in the same way (or as an administrator ) .
You can also enable the mode in Windows 8 in 4 different ways
The first two are described in detail at the beginning of the article. The other two are quite similar to the options that are suitable for Windows 10, but we will still look at them in more detail to make it easier for you to navigate.
Diagnostic tools
So, the first method is to activate the buffer format (only suitable if the OS is working normally). To do this we do the following:
The PC will start in Safe Mode, and you can carry out the necessary manipulations.
And another simple option for starting safe mode in Windows 8 is by bootable flash drive or DVD with Windows files. The procedure is as follows:
What to do on Windows 7 and XP
You can enter safe mode in Windows 7 or XP using one of the following: universal methods described at the beginning of this article. The first option is suitable in cases where the OS is working normally, and the second option is suitable if the PC or laptop does not turn on.
It is worth noting that the operating system is in no way related to the BIOS. It also doesn’t matter what brand of laptop you have – Samsung, Asus, Lenovo, HP, Acer, LG, etc.
What to do if Safe Mode does not start?
Sometimes a PC or laptop stubbornly refuses to enable safe mode. The reason is trivial - viruses damaged the Windows registry. In such situations, there are only 2 options:
- restoring PC operation (system rollback to a checkpoint);
- installation of special programs.
The optimal method, of course, would be the first one - restoring the computer from a checkpoint. If you do not have them saved (for example, disabled), then the only option left is to install programs to restore the Windows registry. In this case, you can use the free Safe Mode Repair or SafeBootKeyRepair.
There are often situations in which it is necessary to start the system in safe mode ( safemode). Many people don't know how to do this. This article will help everyone who is interested in this issue.
How to start Safe Mode on Windows XP
Despite the fact that Windows XP OS is significantly outdated, many users continue to use it. They like a good interface and a certain simplicity of design.
Exists two ways launch the OS in this mode:
- Through console;
- By using start screen launch;
The easiest method is to launch from the start screen. As soon as you turn on the computer, hold down the key F8 for 5-8 seconds. After a short period of time the following screen will appear:
Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, select the most suitable launch option for you. This method is suitable for any, even the least advanced, user.
The second method is more complicated. To begin, you need to press the key start and select the “ tab Execute”:
In the window that appears, you need to write a short phrase msconfig. A window called “” will appear:
You need to select a tab BOOT.INI. In order to enter safe mode, just check the box next to the key /
SAFEBOOT:
Safe Mode in Windows 7
In Windows 7 safe mode is launched in the same way as on XP, using the key F8.
The action plan is simple:
- Reboot computer;
- When the system logo appears, press the key F8;
- In the window that appears, select “ Safe Mode”.
How to start Safe Mode in Windows 8
IN new system It’s not always possible to get into the desired mode using the F8 button. That is why we have to resort to other methods. Let's look at the most popular of them.
- Launch with “ System Configurations”:
It can also be opened using the “ execute” (as on Windows XP). Just enter the command msconfig.exe. In the window that appears, in the “ tab Downloads”, check the box next to the required item. Safe mode will start immediately after reboot computer.
- Login using command Shift + Restart:
In order to get into safe mode, you need to press the button Settings with key holding SHIFT. In the window that appears, select the “ tab Diagnostics" After this, following simple instructions, computer will reboot.
Safe Mode in Windows 10.
Login to this OS can be done in two ways:
Exiting Safe Mode
In most cases, it is enough reboot computer so that the system boots normally. But, if the configuration was edited to launch ( msconfig), then you will have to do these steps in reverse order. That is, remove the check mark from safe boot.
At booting Windows In safe mode, you can remove viruses, change inappropriate drivers that are not removed normally, and diagnose your computer. Safe mode runs a PC with a low resolution, visually ugly, and functionally limited environment.
For many years the most quick way to enter it is to press F8 when the system starts.
You can't create a PowerPoint presentation in it, but if you have any problems, this is the only option to get rid of them. For example, if uninstalling a program fails, you can uninstall it properly there.
The option that is not available is network. However, since Internet access is sometimes necessary, for example, to update drivers, the OS provides an alternative mode with a network environment.
The traditional login method works on Windows 7 and Vista. Restart your computer and start the process by pressing the F8 key several times.
Once the Advanced Criteria menu appears, you can select a download network drivers.
Running through special options for Windows 10
Hold Shift while selecting Restart from the Shutdown menu. This menu is available when you click right click on the "Start" button.
Once you get to the diagnostics screen, either by using SHIFT + Restart on the login screen, or by holding down the F8 key, using a flash drive to restore the system, or simply clicking on advanced recovery options, you will be at this screen where you must select diagnostics .
You will need to click the "diagnostics" button.
then "Advanced options"
"Boot Options"
Login via system configuration
In the “Run” menu, run the msconfig command, the program window will open, go to the “Boot” tab, check the appropriate box and select the “Minimal” or “Network” option.
You can also select criteria:
- Minimal - normal.
- Another shell - with command line
- Network - with the network.
Parameter Active Directory refers to restoring the server that is the domain controller for your network. Once you have selected your option, click OK and restart your computer.
The problem with this method: when you finish work and reboot, the OS will boot into safe mode again. Run msconfig again and uncheck the previously checked boxes.
In this article, we will talk about Safe Mode in Windows 7. First of all, we will briefly explain what Safe Mode is and how it works, and then we will look at ways to enter and exit it.
What is Safe Mode in Windows?
In a safe Windows mode loads only everything you need ( minimum set drivers and services). This way, in safe mode you will only have access to the main programs and Windows functions, which, as a rule, do not need drivers for network devices- this means that you will not have access to the Internet if we are talking about standard safe mode. In addition, the Windows interface in Safe Mode will not look the same as you are used to seeing it. This is because Safe Mode is configured to run minimal graphics settings at the lowest resolution supported by Windows. In the case of Windows 7, this is 800 by 600 pixels.
During the boot process in Safe Mode, a black screen appears on the screen showing drivers and services loading, and once the boot is complete, a Help and Support window automatically opens on your desktop, which explains what Safe Mode is and how to use it.
Remember that safe mode does not load any third-party services and programs that are loaded during normal startup operating system, but only the basic services and functions required to run Windows.
Everything written above makes it clear that safe mode itself is used to identify and fix problems in the operation of the operating system.
How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 7
There are several ways you can boot into Safe Mode, and the first one is to use the System Configuration tool. To open it, press Win + R on your keyboard, type “msconfig” in the Run dialog, and then press Enter. When the window opens, go to the "Download" tab. There you will find the Boot Options section.
Check the box next to the "Safe Mode" option, click "OK", and then select "Restart" or "Exit without reboot" - if you want the computer to restart right now, select the first, and accordingly the second if you want to restart computer later on your own. Next time Windows startup 7 will boot into safe mode.
Please note that after this, the operating system will always boot in safe mode. To disable it, return to System Configuration, disable the Safe Mode option and click OK. Then restart your computer.
Another method of entering safe mode will be useful in cases where Windows 7 for some reason does not want to boot in normal mode, which is usually related to some software (drivers, etc.). To boot into Safe Mode this way, hold down the F8 key immediately after turning on your computer. This will bring up a menu with additional boot options, where you can choose to boot into Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Network Driver Support, and Safe Mode with Command Line Support. Use the arrow keys to move between menu options and the Enter key to select.
Also note that if you are unable to start your computer normally after installing new software or making some changes to OS settings, try selecting Last Know Good Configuration first. If this does not help, then boot into safe mode and look for the cause of the problem.
What are the other safe mode options for?
Good old safe mode comes in several forms.
If you may need the Internet in safe mode, for example, to download drivers, you must use “Safe Mode with Networking.” In this mode, the drivers necessary for operation are loaded network card computer or modem, which will allow you to open web pages, download files and access computers in local network.
Experienced Windows users often work in a command prompt window, and “Safe Mode with Command Promt” allows you to launch and use this tool in the safe mode of the operating system.
Congratulations! Now you know how to boot into safe mode, which can be your savior in case of various computer problems.
Have a great day!