Embarking on a journey to discover the ins and outs of Safe Mode in Windows 10, this guide is your trustworthy roadmap. Recently, the guide has been refreshed to ensure the latest Windows 10 advice is at your fingertips. If you find value in this article, “How to Restart Your Windows 10 PC in Safe Mode,” your shares and support are much appreciated.
Understanding Safe Mode on Windows 10
Safe Mode is Windows in bare bones form – it uses only the most essential files and drivers. When you’re in Safe Mode, the graphical side of things looks basic: you can only see 16 colors and are limited to a low resolution, while functions like printing and audio playback are unavailable. It doesn’t launch many programs in the background, either. Safe Mode is particularly useful for diagnosing and resolving computer hiccups. It can kick in automatically if Windows detects a problem, but at times you might need to start it manually (for example, if you encounter a persistent blue screen error on boot).
However, Safe Mode is not a daily-driver mode. It’s used when your PC isn’t functioning correctly or won’t start up properly. By loading just the core essentials, you can determine if the issue lies within Windows itself or an external factor – such as third-party software or hardware.
Initiating Safe Mode in Windows 10: The How-To Guide
Employing the Power Icon
- Click the Start button at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- With the Shift key pressed, click the Power icon and select Restart.
- After the restart, a blue screen with the title “Choose an option” will appear. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.
- Choose Startup Settings and click Restart. Your PC will reboot once more.
- Upon return, select from the options displayed. Press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
Utilizing the Settings Application
- Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app.
- Navigate to Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, trigger a restart by clicking the “Restart now” button.
- Upon reboot, at the “Choose an option” screen, proceed to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.
- Choose Startup Settings and initiate another restart.
- When options are presented after the restart, press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
Power Button Method
- Power on your PC with the physical power button.
- Upon seeing any start-up visuals, press and hold the power button to force a shutdown.
- Repeat the force shutdown process twice more. Upon the third restart, you should see the phrase “Preparing Automatic Repair.” Let your PC run through the process, which should lead to the “Choose an option” screen.
- From here, head to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings. Restart as prompted.
- Once restarted, use the number keys to choose Safe Mode (4) or Safe Mode with Networking (5).
Final Thoughts: Mastering Safe Mode Boot on Windows 10
Understanding How to Restart Your Windows 10 PC in Safe Mode is key to tackling the challenges that come with PC troubleshooting. For any lingering questions, don’t hesitate to reach out via the contact form. If this guide has been helpful, please share it with those who might also benefit from these insights.
