If you ever come across any issue with computer programs, the first and foremost suggestion is to boot Windows in Safe Mode. Using such, Windows only boots with the start-up apps, command prompt, networking, and all the bare minimal.
Safe Mode is one of the best ways to troubleshoot your Windows PC. Each Safe Mode caters to a different purpose. In this article, we are going to discuss the various ways you can boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode.
Also Read: How to Check Battery Health in Windows 11 Laptop
The 3 Different Types of Safe Mode
If you want to access Safe Mode, there are primarily three different choices available in the Advanced Boot Options. These includes:
- Safe Mode: Here, Windows starts with all the bare minimum only including the drivers and necessary Windows files. Even the Network is disabled by default.
- Safe Mode with Networking: Windows will start in Safe Mode including all the necessary files and drivers along with the ability to connect to the internet. Although Wi-Fi connectivity is still restricted on this mode.
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt: For all the advanced users, Windows ditch the entire graphical interface and presents itself in Command Prompt on Safe Mode. Best suited for troubleshooting advanced issues.
How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11
1. Use the Settings Page to Boot Into Safe Mode
This is by far one of the easiest ways to boot directly into the Safe Mode. Simply click the Recovery option from the Advanced Start-up Settings and boot into Safe Mode. Follow the steps down below:
Step 1: Press the ‘Windows Key + I’ to bring up the Settings page.
Step 2: Head over to the System tab, and scroll down until you find the Recovery option.
Step 3: Click on the Restart button over Advanced startup.
Step 4: Again click on the Restart now to confirm.
Step 5: Once the Choose an option menu appears, click on Troubleshoot.
Step 6: Now select Advanced options.
Step 7: Select the Start-up settings over the advanced option.
Step 8: Once again, click on Restart and wait until the start-up settings appear. Here you can find multiple options.
Step 9: Based on your preference, you can select between 4, 5, and 6 over the Safe Mode you want to boot Windows. Here your OS would restart and boot into Safe Mode.
Step 10: If you wish to exit Safe Mode, simply restart your Windows 11 PC and you are good to go.
2. Boot into Safe Mode from Lock Screen
You can actually boot into Safe Mode directly from your lock screen. Here’s how you can perform the right way:
Step 1: At first, restart your PC and enter into the lock screen by pressing any button.
Step 2: Click on the Power button to open up the Restart option. Press and hold the Shift button and click on Restart.
Step 3: You would be greeted right away with the Windows Recovery Environment. Now follow through the options Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up Settings > Restart.
Step 4: Choose from any one of the options as stated in method 1, and your PC will boot into Safe Mode.
Note: You can also perform the same, while you are at the Desktop. Simply click on Restart while pressing and holding down the Shift key and follow the same procedure.
3. Use Command Prompt to Boot into Safe Mode
For all the advanced users, Command Prompt might be the most suitable way to access Windows Recovery Environment. After that, the process is more or less the same to boot into Safe Mode.
Step 1: Press the ‘Windows Key + R’ to open the Run dialogue box.
Step 2: Type in cmd and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt.
Step 3: In the Command Prompt window, execute the following command:
shutdown.exe /r /o
Step 4: Once the pop-up message appears, click on Close. Now Windows 11 will restart and boot right into the Windows Recovery Environment.
Step 5: Follow through the steps, Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up settings > Restart.
Step 6: Once your PC restarts, choose your preferred Safe Mode boot option.
4. Boot into Safe Mode When Windows 11 Fails to Boot
All the methods mentioned above only work if you have a fully functional, working Windows 11. But what about Windows 11 failing to boot into the first place? Is it still possible to boot Windows into Safe Mode?
Now Windows by default summons the Windows Recovery Environment once it fails to load the operating system after three attempts. So, it is completely possible to force the OS and trick it into a failed system boot. This will boot into Windows RE, after which you can access the start-up settings.
Step 1: First, shut down your PC and try to restart it by holding down the power button.
Step 2: Once it starts to boot, hold down the power button again for a force shutdown. Repeat the step one more time.
Step 3: Right at the third attempt, let Windows load, so that it boots right into the Windows RE.
Step 4: Click on Troubleshoot under the Choose an option.
Step 5: Now go to Advanced options > Start-up settings > Restart.
Step 6: Once your PC restarts, choose among 4, 5, and 6, based on your preferred Safe Boot option.
How to Exit Safe Mode in Windows 11?
If you want to exit Safe Mode, a simple restart can do the job. But there are instances where the computer continues to boot in Safe Mode only. Follow the steps to manually exit Safe Mode in Windows 11:
Step 1: Press the ‘Windows Key + R’ to open the Run dialogue box.
Step 2: Type in msconfig and hit enter to open the System Configuration.
Step 3: Head over to the Boot tab to uncheck the Safe boot option.
Step 4: Click on Apply and OK to save changes. Now restart your computer, and you would exit from the Safe Mode.
Related: How to Enable Screensavers on Windows 11
Concluding Words
This goes without saying, Safe Mode can often come in handy especially when you are diagnosing a particular problem. Any critical driver error can be addressed in no time. But, if you are troubleshooting any third-party program, our recommendation would be to reset your PC. This way, you can start with the essential drivers and startup apps.
