How to Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode

By Sophia | Last Updated January 08, 2024

Windows safe mode can help you to diagnose the issues causing the computer to malfunction. When you boot the computer into safe mode, you will only get basic files and drivers that it needs to run while other nonessential features are turned off. There are three types of safe modes:

• 1. Safe Mode: You will get only basic features of Windows and there is no third-party programs running. No networking, too. It is the safest way to use your computer.
• 2. Safe Mode with Networking: Only basic features are enabled in this mode. But you can connect to the Internet. The computer is still at risk of being hacked.
• 3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Only Command Prompt is enabled. You can only use the computer via command lines. If you are not skillful at command prompt, do not choose this option.

Thus, if you encounter issues on your Windows 11 PC, how can you enter Windows 11 safe mode to troubleshoot the issue? Here you can learn three easy ways to boot into safe mode in Windows 11.

• Way 1: Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode by Pressing F8 Key
• Way 2: Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode via Advanced Startup
• Way 3: Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode from MSCONFIG

Way 1: Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode by Pressing F8 Key

You can boot Windows 11 into safe mode when it is power off. It is the fast way to enter safe mode on Windows 11. But you need to make sure you have enabled this fast boot key in advance.

Step 1: Open your computer and immediately press F8 key or the Ctrl key to enter the Startup Settings screen. Then you can press F4/F5/F6 to choose the safe mode to boot.

Step 2: Minutes later, your computer will be in safe mode.

Tips: To enable F8 shortcut key manually, you should run command prompt as administrator and the execute the commands: bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes .

Way 2: Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode via Advanced Startup

You can also access Advanced Startup in Windows 11 Settings to restart the computer and then choose the boot option.

Step 1:Click the Start menu and then choose Settings.

Step 2: Choose System and then scroll down the mouse to select Recovery option.

Step 3: Under Recovery options, click Restart now. In the pop-out box, hit Restart now directly.

Step 4: After restarting, you need to choose Troubleshoot option to continue.

Step 5: In the Advanced options interface, choose Startup Settings.

Step 6: Then it will tell you to restart to change Windows options. Click Restart instantly.

Step 7: Choose one of the safe modes to restart the computer. For example, if you want to enable Safe Mode, press F4 key to start Windows 11 in safe mode.

Way 3: Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode from MSCONFIG

With msconfig utility, you can also boot Windows 11 into safe mode quickly.

Step 1: Click the start menu and then choose Run option.

Step 2: Enter msconfig into the Run box and click the OK button.

Step 3: The System Configuration windows launches and you can click the Boot tab at the top.

Step 4: Select Safe boot under Boot options section. And you can select the options under Safe boot option according to your needs. After that, click the OK button.

Step 5: You will be asked to restart the computer to apply the change. Click Restart to reboot the computer.

Step 6: Soon, you will enter safe mode in your Windows 11.

If you want to exit the safe mode, you can repeat the above steps and uncheck the Safe boot option in Step 4 to restart Windows in normal mode.