I recently had a situation where my Windows 10 computer was acting up and I needed to start it in Safe Mode to troubleshoot the issue. If you’re not familiar with Safe Mode, it’s a diagnostic mode in Windows that only loads essential drivers and services, allowing you to troubleshoot problems without interference from third-party software. In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode while booting. Trust me, it’s not as complicated as it sounds!
Step 1: Access the Advanced Startup Options
To start Windows 10 in Safe Mode, you first need to access the Advanced Startup Options. There are a few different ways to do this, but the easiest method is to hold down the Shift key while selecting the Restart option in the Start menu. This will bring up the Advanced Startup Options menu.
Step 2: Choose the Troubleshoot Option
Once you’re in the Advanced Startup Options menu, you’ll see a few different options. Click on the Troubleshoot option to proceed.
Step 3: Select Advanced Options
In the Troubleshoot menu, you’ll find several options. Choose the Advanced Options to continue.
Step 4: Access the Startup Settings
Within the Advanced Options menu, you’ll find another set of options. Select the Startup Settings to proceed.
Step 5: Restart in Safe Mode
Finally, you’ll reach the Startup Settings menu. Here, you’ll see a list of options for starting Windows 10. To start in Safe Mode, press the corresponding number key (usually 4 or F4) on your keyboard. This will restart your computer and boot it into Safe Mode.
Once your computer restarts, you’ll notice that it looks a little different. The screen resolution may be lower, and you won’t see any of your startup programs running. But don’t worry, this is completely normal for Safe Mode.
In Safe Mode, you can now troubleshoot the issue that prompted you to start in this mode. You can uninstall recently installed software, update or rollback device drivers, or perform other troubleshooting steps to identify and fix the problem.
When you’re done with troubleshooting, you can simply restart your computer to exit Safe Mode. Your computer will boot back into normal mode, and everything should be back to normal.
Conclusion
Starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode while booting is a simple process that can be incredibly helpful when troubleshooting software or hardware issues. The steps outlined in this article should guide you through the process with ease. Remember, if you’re unsure about making any changes, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional or seek additional guidance online. Happy troubleshooting!