If the computer stubbornly refuses to boot during the next startup or the operation of the OS has become unbearable due to constant system failures and software, loading the OS using the so-called “safe mode” can be a real panacea.

What is "safe mode"

Running the operating system in safe mode represents the functioning of the PC using only the most necessary drivers and services. This arrangement allows, if necessary, to eliminate existing system errors that disrupt the operation of the computer, then start the PC in normal mode and continue to use it.
Starting the operating system allows you to cope with the following problems:

  • the presence of viruses and other similar things on the computer malware;
  • the appearance of various system and registry errors (for example, the well-known “ blue screen death");
  • the existence of errors due to the functioning of certain programs that interfere with the normal operation of the PC.
  • In addition, the computer may not function properly due to technical problems. In that case safe mode It is unlikely to help cope with the existing problem, but will thereby draw the user’s attention to the need to check the serviceability of the structural components of the PC.

    Types of Safe Mode

    There are three main options for starting a computer: specified mode. The choice of a specific type of download will depend on the goals pursued by the user resorting to safe work systems:

    Procedure for starting safe mode on different versions of Windows OS

    Windows XP

  1. Entering safe mode is only possible when turned on, so you should either start the PC or restart an already running computer.
  2. During system startup, you should hold down “F8” on the keyboard and hold it there until the corresponding window appears on the monitor, the header of which (located at the top and in the center) contains the name “Advanced boot options” ").
  3. Using the “up” and “down” keys (the so-called “arrows” on the keyboard), you need to select the desired option to start the PC in safe mode. When the required option is highlighted (using a gray rectangle), press the “Enter” button.
  4. After a minute, the computer will start taking into account the restrictions provided by the selected mode.

Windows 7

There are several ways. The simplest method is the previously described method for Windows XP, which also applies to this version.

In addition, users often resort to another procedure:


ATTENTION! By resorting to this procedure, each subsequent boot of the PC will be carried out in safe mode. When this is no longer necessary, you just need to carry out all the steps described above and uncheck the box next to “Safe Mode”.

Windows 8

The two options described earlier in the article are also suitable for this type of OS. However, there are two more effective ways.

ATTENTION! Activating the buffer format (only if the PC is operating normally)

  1. On the side panel of the standard interface, you need to click the “Options” button, where you find and select the “Shutdown” item, after which you immediately hold down the “Shift” key.
  2. In the dialog box that appears, select the “Reboot” option.
  3. The diagnostic screen will pop up on the monitor. You must select the “Diagnostics” section, then “ Additional options", then go to "Download Options". In the lower right corner there will be a “Reboot” button that you need to click.
  4. Next, a window will appear in which the system will prompt you to select the appropriate download option. In the list, as a rule, positions 4, 5 and 6 will require loading in one of the safe mode options. You need to select the one you need and press the corresponding key: “F4”, “F5” or “F6”, after which the OS will start using the selected parameters.

Booting from a DVD or bootable USB flash drive containing Windows installation files

  1. After inserting a disk or connecting a flash drive, you need to start booting from the media (in “My Computer” just click on the disk or flash drive icon) if it does not start automatically.
  2. A date and time settings window will pop up on the monitor, where you need to click the “Next” button at the bottom.
  3. Then a window will open to install the system, where you need to select “System Restore”.
  4. A diagnostic screen will appear on the screen, where you need to select the following items one after another: “Diagnostics” - “Advanced parameters” - “Command line”.
  5. When an input field appears on the monitor, you must enter “bcdedit” or “set globalsettings” in it, then press the “Enter” key.
  6. After the procedure for eliminating existing system errors, which the OS will produce independently, in the same field command line You should type “bcdedit” or “deletevalue (globalsettings) advancedoptions” and press “Enter” to cancel the automatic transition to the diagnostic screen when you turn on the PC. Next, in the window that appears, click on the “Continue” button.
  7. The system will reboot, during which the user will be asked to select the desired boot type. Now you just need to press the “F4” key and wait until the PC starts in safe mode.

Windows 10

This operating system can be started in safe mode using all of the 4 methods described earlier throughout the article.

IMPORTANT! The only thing worth paying attention to is the peculiarities of the buffer format activation procedure. In order to get to the diagnostics screen, you need to select “All settings” in the notifications section, then in the pop-up window click “Update and Security”, where go to “Recovery”. Next, click on the “Restart” button. Subsequent steps should be reproduced according to those described in points 3 and 4 of the procedure for starting safe mode, by activating the buffer format for Windows 8.

What to do if you can’t start your PC in safe mode

There are two main reasons for this “failure”:
Infecting your computer with the most dangerous viruses or other malicious programs that cause numerous system failures.
Options to solve the problem:


Technical problems

  • In this case, you should check all the structural elements of the PC for operability and the presence of mechanical damage.

ATTENTION! Sometimes even basic cleaning of your PC from dust and dirt helps, which can be done both at home and in specialized service centers.

And finally

Safe Mode helps solve many problems and errors that interfere with the operation of your computer. However, you should not neglect the help of specialists in case of constant PC malfunctions, since in such cases only appropriate knowledge and skills can ensure normal operation of the computer.

Safe Mode is a diagnostic, debugging option for starting the operating system. It is used in case of malfunctions, freezes or impossibility Windows boot. Since such problems arise mainly due to incorrect operation installed applications and drivers or malware getting onto the computer, then safe mode in such situations can come in very handy. In this mode, the operating system starts with a minimum of basic components, while other system services, as well as installed programs and the drivers remain inactive. This can help you identify the cause of the failure using a method of elimination and remove conflicting or dormant malware from the system. Safe Mode is also used to correctly roll back the operating system to a recovery point, reset the administrator password (if this is not possible in the main mode), access files and folders blocked in normal mode, and solve many other problems.

Safe Mode Options

Safe Mode (the most commonly used option, starts the system with a minimum set of active ingredients and support GUI);

Safe Mode with Boot network drivers (a similar option with additional support for working with local network and Internet access);

Safe Mode with Command Line Support (starts the system without a graphical interface, all operations are performed by entering commands in cmd, to return to the mode with a graphical shell, use the explorer.exe command).

How to start safe mode

To enter Safe Mode, you can use one of the following methods.

1. Through the menu of additional boot options

Restart your computer by clicking on the menu icon StartShutdown→ . If your computer is frozen, click the button Reset For forced reboot or hold the power button Power to turn off the PC, and then turn it on again.

During restart (immediately after initializing the BIOS), press the key several times F8 to enter the menu.

Attention! On different motherboards Various keys can be used to enter the boot menuF1- F12, DELand others. Keyboard shortcuts can also be assigned, e.g.Shift + F..., Ctrl + F..., Fn + F...

After entering the menu Additional download options select the appropriate safe mode option using the arrows and on your keyboard and press Enter.

After this, Windows will boot into safe mode. To exit it, you need to restart your PC again.

2. Through Windows settings (System Configuration)

Click on the menu icon Start(you can also use the keyboard shortcut Win+R), in the line that appears, type the command msconfig and press Enter.

In the window that opens System Configuration on the tab General check the option Diagnostic run.

and check the box next to the option Safe Mode(also select download option: Minimum, Net etc.). Click OK and confirm reboot.


To exit Safe Mode, repeat the steps above, selecting the option Normal launch and unchecking the option Safe Mode. Confirm the operation by clicking otherwise the computer will continue to boot in safe mode!

3. Via the command line (cmd)

Click on menu Start and in the line that appears, enter the command: cmd . Launch Command Prompt with administrator rights by right-clicking on cmd.exe and selecting the option Run as administrator.

In the command prompt window, enter the command: BCDedit and press Enter. After the system provides information about the PC configuration, pay attention to the section. In this section you need to remember identifier, since it will be used when composing commands to start safe mode.

bcdedit /set (ID) safeboot minimal - command to start safe mode;

bcdedit /set (ID) safeboot network - command to start safe mode with network support;

bcdedit /set (ID) safebootalternateshell yes - command to start safe mode with command prompt.

For example, the command to start simple safe mode in our example would look like this: bcdedit /set (current) safeboot minimal.

After completing the operation, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer. To exit safe mode, open Command Prompt again with administrator rights, enter the command: bcdedit /deletevalue (ID) safeboot and reboot the system, otherwise Windows will continue to boot in safe mode!

Safe Mode Windows operation often necessary to remove spyware, adware, viruses, trojans. This mode of Windows operation differs from normal in that when selected, only the most necessary drivers and system components are loaded. After the computer boots up, you can do almost everything the same as in normal mode.

Ways to start your computer in safe mode

1. Classic

Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista, 7

Restart your computer. After your computer beeps briefly, press F8. You will see the Windows boot menu as shown below.

Select Safe Mode(Safe Mode) - the first line and press Enter. When your computer boots into safe mode, you will see the following message.

Click on the Yes button and you can start working with your computer in safe mode.

Windows 8 and 8.1

Click on Windows button.

In the upper right corner, find and click on the icon Turn off the computer.

In the menu you need to select the item, but before clicking it, press and hold the key SHIFT

Select an item Diagnostics.

From this menu, select Additional options.

Click here Boot Options.

Click on the button Reboot Boot Options

Click F4 to start the computer in Safe Mode F5 and choose

Windows 10

Click on the Windows button.

In the menu that opens, select Shutdown. And there is a point in it.

But before you click it, press and hold the key SHIFT. As a result, the following menu will open.

Select an item Diagnostics.

From this menu, select Advanced Settings.

Click here Boot Options.

Click on the button Reboot. Your computer will automatically restart. Immediately after Windows starts loading, a menu will be shown Boot Options. An example of such a message is given below.

Click F4 to start the computer in Safe Mode. If you need access to the Internet in this mode, then you need to press F5 and choose Safe mode with loading network drivers. When your computer finishes booting, you will see the Desktop.

2. Using the Msconfig program - System Configuration

Msconfig is a small utility that can change a variety of operating system settings. With its help, you can easily boot your computer in Safe Mode.

Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, XP

Click Start. Select an item Execute. In the input field type msconfig.

Click Enter or click on the button OK

Open the BOOT.INI tab and check the box next to the item /SAFEBOOT.

If you need access to the Internet in safe mode, then to the right of the item /SAFEBOOT select more NETWORK instead of MINIMAL. Next click on the button OK

Normal launch. Click OK

Windows Vista, 7

Click on the Windows button. In the search field, enter msconfig.

Click Enter. The Msconfig program will start and the main window will open.

Safe Mode select more Net instead of Minimum. Next click on the button OK. The program will inform you that you need to restart your computer.

. Your computer will restart automatically. Only instead of normal mode, your computer will boot into Safe Mode.

To restore the ability to boot your computer in Normal mode, run the msconfig program again and in its main window select Normal launch.

Click OK. The program will inform you that you need to restart your computer. Click.

Windows 8, 8.1

Click on the Windows button.

In the upper right corner, find and click on the Search icon. In the window that opens, enter msconfig.

Click Enter. The Msconfig program will start and the main window will open.

If you need access to the Internet in safe mode, then below the point Safe Mode select more Net instead of Minimum. Next click on the button OK. The program will inform you that you need to restart your computer.

To restore the ability to boot your computer in Normal mode, run the msconfig program again and in its main window select Normal launch.

Click OK. The program will inform you that you need to restart your computer. Click.

Windows 10

Click on the search button and enter msconfig in the input field.

Click Enter. The Msconfig program will start and the main window will open.

Check the box next to the item Safe Mode.

If you need access to the Internet in safe mode, then below the point Safe Mode select more Net instead of Minimum. Next click on the button OK. The program will inform you that you need to restart your computer.

To restore the ability to boot your computer in Normal mode, run the msconfig program again and in its main window select Normal launch.

Click OK. The program will inform you that you need to restart your computer. Click.

If your computer won't boot into safe mode

This is possible if a virus or Trojan has removed or damaged parts Windows registry, which are responsible for booting the computer in safe mode. To solve this problem, download and run the free utility. Restart your computer and try entering Safe Mode again.

Update 1: if the SafeBootKeyRepair utility is not available, then you can try this one. Download and unpack the reg archive file with the default values ​​of registry keys ensuring the correct launch of safe mode. Double-click on the file to set these default values.
Update 2: If the previous methods for restoring your computer to boot in safe mode did not help you, then try the following. Download and install. Launch it, in the main window click on the Preferences button, then on the Repairs tab, select Repair broken SafeBoot key in the list, then click on the Perform Repair button…

If you have any questions about this instruction or it did not help you, please contact our.

Note: I would like to appeal to everyone who has problems starting their computer and the programs described in the instructions did not help or are not suitable. Comments are not the place to ask questions PLEASE please refer to ours in the appropriate section! The forum provides more opportunities to discuss your problems and find solutions!

In this article we will talk about what safe mode is in Android, what it is for, and how to turn it on and off.

What is this for?

Safe Mode is a special operating mode of Android that is used to diagnose and solve software problems. In safe mode, only native applications will be loaded, and all third-party applications will be disabled.

Example. It happens that after installing an application (launcher, widget, utility), the device begins to freeze or reboot cyclically. As a result of such unstable operation, it is impossible to do anything with the gadget. This is where Safe Mode comes in handy: you can always boot from standard set applications and calmly remove problematic software.

How to enable safe mode on Android

On different devices Safe Mode is activated in different ways. You will have to choose a working option specifically for your device.

Method 1.

  • Press and hold the Power key until the menu appears.
  • Click on Power off and do not release until the dialog box appears: Enter Safe Mode: All third-party applications will be disabled. They will be turned on when you return to normal mode.
  • Click OK.

The smartphone will reboot. After downloading, you will see the corresponding inscription in the corner of the screen.

Method 2

Similar to the first one, only you need to press the item for a long time.

Method 3

Suitable for Samsung smartphones. Tested by us on Ace 2 and Ace 3.

Method 4

When booting up, hold down the volume up and down keys while the logo appears.

Disabling Safe Mode in Android

There are several options here too:

1. Simply reboot your device. This helps in most cases.

5. Remove the battery. Press and hold the Power key for a few seconds, as if you were trying to turn on your smartphone. Replace the battery and turn on the device.

This will allow you to disable Safe Mode and remove the message on the screen.

In Windows 7, there are two ways to get into safe mode:
1) Login to secure Windows mode 7 at system startup.
2) Entering Safe Mode from the Windows 7 environment (from a running OS by changing the boot in System Configuration).

Entering Windows7 safe mode at system startup.

Turn on the computer and while the system is loading, press the F8 key several times; if the welcome window appears (Windows 7 logo), it means you did not have time to press the F8 key, in this case you need to wait for the system to boot and turn off the computer again and when loading, press again F8 key. When trying to get into safe mode, you need to consider:
- On some keyboards, the function keys F1–F12 are always disabled by default. To turn them on, you need to press a special key (usually Fn) and while holding it, press the F8 key.
- If there are two or more operating systems, select the one you want using the arrow keys, and then press Enter.
- To use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad, Num Lock must be disabled.
In the window Additional download options select " Safe Mode" and press the key " Enter».

After a few seconds, the system will boot into safe mode.

Entering Safe Mode from Windows 7.

Press the button " Start" and write in the search bar msconfig and press the " Enter»


In the window that opens System Configuration, go to the “” tab and check the “ Safe Mode" and select " Minimum».
For reference:
Safe Mode: Minimum- Loading the Windows GUI ( Windows Explorer) in safe mode with only the most important running system services. Network components disabled.
Safe Mode: Another Shell- Loading command Windows strings in safe mode with only the most important system services running. Network components and GUI are disabled.
Safe Mode: Recovery Active Directory - Loading GUI Windows user in safe mode, running only the most important system services and the Active Directory directory service.
Safe Mode: Network- Boots the Windows GUI in safe mode, running only the most important system services. Network components are enabled.
Without GUI - While loading Windows screen no greeting is displayed.
Download log - All information regarding the boot process is saved in the file %SystemRoot%Ntbtlog.txt.
Basic video- Boots Windows GUI in minimal VGA mode. This mode loads standard VGA drivers instead of display drivers that match the computer's video hardware.
OS information - Displays the names of loaded drivers during system boot.
Make these boot options permanent - Changes made to system settings are not tracked. You can change the settings later using System Setup, but only manually. If this option is selected, you will not be able to roll back changes by selecting Normal Startup on the General tab.


After this, you will be prompted to restart your computer to enter Windows 7 safe mode. If you want to boot into safe mode now, click "", if you want to do this later, select " Exit without reboot"And the next time you reboot or turn on your computer/laptop, automatically boot into safe mode.

The next time you boot Windows 7, the system will boot into Safe Mode.


In order not to boot into safe mode, you need to go into the system configuration again and uncheck the previously checked boxes.

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