Article Number: 000124344
How to Boot to Safe Mode in Windows 10
Summary: This article describes the various ways to boot a computer into Safe Mode in Windows 10.
Article Content
Symptoms
For other Operating Systems, please select here: Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Vista, or XP.
NOTE: This article assumes that the computer has power and can complete the POST process.
Video (English only) - Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode (Official Dell Tech Support)
Cause
From Windows:
- Press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
- If that does not work, select the Start Button in the lower-left corner of your screen, then select Settings.
- Select Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced Startup, select Restart Now.
- After your personal computer restarts to the Choose an Option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After your personal computer restarts, a list of options should appear. Select 4 or F4 to start your personal computer in Safe Mode. If you must use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
From the sign-in screen:
- Restart your personal computer.
- At the sign-in screen, hold the Shift Key down while you select Power > Restart.
- After your personal computer restarts to the Choose an Option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After your personal computer restarts, a list of options should appear. Select 4 or F4 to start your personal computer in Safe Mode. If you must use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
From outside of Windows:
After the third attempt to boot has failed, Windows 10 will automatically boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Follow these steps to enter Safe Mode:- At the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
- At the Troubleshoot screen, select Advanced Options.
- At the Advanced Options screen, select Advanced Startup Options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Select Restart.
- The computer will restart and enter the Startup Settings menu. Select 4 to Enable Safe Mode.
Resolution
Microsoft provides additional details here - Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10.
If you are unable to boot into Safe Mode, see the KB article Computer will not boot to Windows 10 for further troubleshooting.
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Article Properties
Last Published Date
07 Jun 2021
Version
10
Article Type
Solution