This article provides information on what safe mode is and how to boot to it in Windows Vista and 7 your PC. For other Operating systems please select here - Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1 and XP. In Safe Mode, Windows only loads the most essential services and drivers in order for it to run. All other normal Windows settings and start up programs are disabled in order to allow the user to fix the problem with their computer. In this guide, I am going to go through the steps to get into Safe Mode in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1 and Windows 10.
- Reboot In Safe Mode Windows Vista Windows 7
- Reboot In Safe Mode Windows Vista Key
- Windows Boot Into Safe Mode
Need to get into Safe Mode on your Windows PC? If you’re not able to boot your computer normally, you can try to enter safe mode, a diagnostic mode for Windows that lets you troubleshoot problems that prevent normal booting.
In Safe Mode, Windows only loads the most essential services and drivers in order for it to run. All other normal Windows settings and start up programs are disabled in order to allow the user to fix the problem with their computer.
In this guide, I am going to go through the steps to get into Safe Mode in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1 and Windows 10.
Note that if you installed a driver or just recently made a configuration change to your computer, you may want to try the “Last Known Good Configuration” before going into safe mode in Windows 7, Vista and XP.
Last Known Good Configuration loads the last working version of Windows. However, it is replaced each time you log into the computer, so if a problem has occurred, make sure to try this option BEFORE logging onto the computer again.
In Windows 8 and Windows 10, the Last Known option is no longer included. Instead, they have other options like Refresh, Reset (Reinstall), Restore, etc. I’ll go into more details below in the Windows 8/10 section.
Also note that there are three types of Safe Mode, so read the descriptions below to figure out which one is best for you.
Safe Mode – The basic option that loads Windows with a GUI interface and is usually what most people should choose when troubleshooting their computer.
![Reboot Reboot](https://www.online-tech-tips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/windows-safe-mode-thumb.png)
Safe Mode with Networking – If you need access to the Internet or the network while in Safe mode, then this is the option to choose. This mode is useful when you need to fix a problem that requires an Internet connection so that you can download updates, drivers, or other files to help fix your problem.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt – This mode will load with just the MS DOS command line prompt. This is useful if you need to run a DOS command like fixboot or chkdsk.
Safe Mode in Windows XP/Vista/7
To get into the Safe Mode in Windows XP, Vista or 7,re-boot the computer and then press and hold the “F8 Key” which will then bring up the “Windows Advanced Options Menu“. Scroll down to “Safe Mode” using the arrow keys and press Enter.
Note that sometimes if you press and hold the F8 key, some computers will start to beep annoyingly, so in that case, simply hold the F8 key continuously during the boot up period.
If you are still not able to get into Safe Mode, you can try to kill the power on the computer to turn it off and then turn it back on. If Windows shuts down unexpectedly, it will usually bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu automatically. If that doesn’t work, you can read my previous post on getting into Safe Mode if F8 is not working. This method, however, requires you to be able to log into Windows in order to tell it to boot into safe mode on the next restart.
Safe Mode in Windows 8/10
In Windows 8 and Windows 10, the process of getting into safe mode is completely different. The F8 key no longer works because the boot process is too fast.
The only way to get into safe mode is to boot into System Recovery Options, which is where you can perform various troubleshooting tasks including starting in safe mode.
I’ve already written about how to boot to the Windows 8 System Recovery Options screen, but the process is slightly different for Windows 10, so I’ll mention it here. In Windows 10, there are two ways to get to the recovery options screen. Firstly, you can click on the new Start button, which is back again in a different form, and then hold down the SHIFT key and click on the power button.
While still holding down the SHIFT key, click on Restart. The other way is the same as Windows 8, but it just looks a bit different. Click on the Start button and then click on Settings as shown above.
This will bring up a new Settings dialog that basically replaces the PC Settings dialog in Windows 8. Here you will click on Update & recovery.
Now you’ll see the options to refresh your PC, reinstall everything or restart in advanced startup mode.
At this point, the process to get into Safe Mode in Windows 8 or Windows 10 is the same. You’ll now see three options: Continue, Troubleshoot and Turn off your PC.
Now just follow the instructions on my article on booting to safe mode in Windows 8. You basically click on Troubleshoot and go from there. Windows 8 and Windows 10 are also a lot smarter than previous versions and will normally bring up the recovery options automatically if a problem is detected while booting.
If you have any questions about getting into safe mode on any version of Windows, feel free to post a comment. Enjoy!
Windows Vista’s Safe Mode is a great diagnostic tool. When Windows Vista starts up, it loads all of the drivers and many of your most common programs automatically, and usually this is great. But if you’re having problems with a program or with the system itself, you might need to work with a “clean” version of Windows. Safe Mode gives you that clean version, allowing you to run diagnostics and check the performance of drivers and applications without worrying about programs that might be running in the background and creating interference.
1Remove any CDs or DVDs from your computer.
Some computers are set up to bypass the CD/DVD drive while booting, but it’s a good general computer practice to remove CDs and DVDs before you shut down the computer.
2Choose Start, click the arrow on the right of the Lock button, and then choose Restart to reboot your system.
Reboot In Safe Mode Windows Vista Windows 7
This begins the restarting process.
3When the computer starts to reboot (the screen goes black), begin pressing F8.
Reboot In Safe Mode Windows Vista Key
The computer might take a few minutes for Windows Vista to completely shut down (especially if the reason you want to go into Safe Mode is because you are experiencing problems). Don’t let this worry you. Windows Vista does a lot of self-cleaning during its shutdown process.
When you reboot and press F8, you’re in the old text-based world that users of the DOS operating system will remember. It’s scary out there! Your mouse doesn’t work a lick, and fun sounds and cool graphics won’t be there to soothe you. Just use your arrow keys to get around and press Enter to make selections. You’ll back in Windows-land soon . . .
4If you're given a choice, select Windows Vista and press Enter and then continue to press F8.
You will receive this choice if you have more than one operating system.
Remember that your mouse doesn’t work here, so use the up- and down-arrow keys or type the number of that choice.
5Select Safe Mode in the resulting plain-vanilla text-based screen.
Press the up- or down-arrow key to select the Safe Mode option from the list and then press Enter.
6Log in to your computer with administrator privileges.
A Safe Mode screen appears. You’ll notice right away that the screen has a much lower resolution than you’re probably used to. That’s normal. It just means that Windows isn’t wasting a lot of energy on display.
7Run your diagnostics and then restart the system.
Windows Boot Into Safe Mode
Use the tools in the Control Panel and the Help and Support system to figure out your problem, make changes, and then restart. When you restart again (repeat Step 2), let your computer start in the standard Windows Vista mode.