Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10

Safe mode starts Windows in a basic state, using a limited set of files and drivers. If a problem doesn’t happen in safe mode, this means that default settings and basic device drivers aren’t causing the issue. Observing Windows in safe mode enables you to narrow down the source of a problem, and can help you troubleshoot problems on your PC.

There are two versions of safe mode: Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking. Safe Mode with Networking adds the network drivers and services you’ll need to access the Internet and other computers on your network.

Select from the following sections to find out how to start your PC in safe mode from Settings, from the sign-in screen, or from a black or blank screen.

Press Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. If that doesn’t work, select the Start button, then select Settings .

Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.

After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. You may be asked to enter your BitLocker recovery key.

After your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select 4 or press F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode. Or if you’ll need to use the Internet, select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

When you can’t open Settings to get into safe mode, restart your device from the Windows sign-in screen.

On the Windows sign-in screen, press and hold the Shift key while you select the Power > Restart .

After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. You may be asked to enter your BitLocker recovery key.

After your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select 4 or F4 to start your PC in safe mode. Or if you’ll need to use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Note: If you’ve encrypted your device, you’ll need your BitLocker key to start in safe mode.

Before you enter safe mode, you need to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (winRE). To do this, you will repeatedly turn your device off, then on:

Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device.

Press the power button again to turn on your device.

On the first sign that Windows has started (for example, some devices show the manufacturer’s logo when restarting) hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device.

Press the power button again to turn on your device.

When Windows restarts, hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device.

Press the power button again to turn on your device.

Allow your device to fully restart. You will enter winRE.

Now that you are in winRE, you will follow these steps to take you to safe mode:

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

After your device restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select option 5 from the list or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

If you need more info on a black or blank screen error, see Troubleshoot black or blank screen errors.

Notes: If you need to exit safe mode, simply restart your device, or:

Press the Windows logo key + R.

Type msconfig in the Open box and then select OK.

Select the Boot tab.

Under Boot options, clear the Safe boot checkbox.

Starting Windows 8.1 in Safe Mode with Networking Issue

I have followed the instructions to try and get into Safe Mode with Networking Windows 8.1 as follows:

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings , and then tap Change PC settings .
(If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings , and then click Change PC settings .)

Under PC settings , tap or click Update and recovery , and then tap or click Recovery.

Under Advanced startup , tap or click Restart now .

Once your PC restarts, on the Choose an option screen, tap or click Troubleshoot .

If you don’t see the Startup Settings option, tap or click Advanced options .

Tap or click Startup Settings .

Tap or click Restart .

On the Startup Settings screen, choose the startup setting you want.

When the startup screen appears you are given options to choose your option by clicking numbers or «F» numbers on the keyboard,

the option for Safe Mode with Networking is the No. 5 or F5, but this does not work on my PC, infact clicking on either of the option numbers on the keyboard does nothing at all, so I just had to press the reboot button on my PC.

Is there another way to get my pc to start in Safe Mode with Networking?

Replies (4) 

These are the ways to enter Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc.

«5 Ways to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1»

«Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode)»

Bill Smithers — Microsoft MVP July 2013 — Dec 2020

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Thanks Bill for you reply.

I’ve tried the different ways to boot up in safe mode as mentioned, but was only successful to boot up in safe mode with the one that uses the «Run» box option, using the one that Microsoft instructs to use only ends up with a frozen image of the numbered options and nothing happens when I press the number keys to choose an option.

I want to boot up with «Safe Mode with Network» but it does not do this it only boots up in Safe Mode when using the «Run» box method, so I’m still looking for a way to boot up with the option to use the Network as in; the internet being usable in safe mode.

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Starting windows in safe mode with networking

Safe Mode is a troubleshooting option that limits Windows operation to basic functions. Safe Mode starts Windows with only core drivers and services. Safe Mode with Networking starts Windows with only core drivers, plus networking support. To start your computer in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, follow the instructions below:

Start Windows 7/Vista/XP in Safe Mode with Networking

1. Immediately after the computer is powered on or restarted (usually after you hear your computer beep), tap the F8 key in 1 second intervals.
2. After your computer displays hardware information and runs a memory test, the Advanced Boot Options menu will appear.
3. Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER. For more information about Safe Mode options, click here for Windows XP or click here for Windows Vista/Windows 7.

1. When you are finished troubleshooting, repeat steps 1-3 and select Start Windows Normally to return to your normal Windows configuration.

Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode with networking

If you cannot start Windows 8 after installing your ESET product

At the Windows 8 login screen: hold the Shift key, click Power and then click Restart (click to view a screenshot). Proceed to step 3 below.

1. Press the Windows key + C, and then click Settings.

Figure 2-1
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1. Click Power, hold down Shift on your keyboard and then click Restart.

Figure 2-2
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1. Click Troubleshoot.

Figure 2-3
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1. Click Advanced options.

Figure 2-4
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1. Click Startup Settings.

Figure 2-5
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1. Click Restart.

Figure 2-6
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1. Press 5 on your keyboard to Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Windows will start in Safe Mode with Networking.

Figure 2-7
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1. Click Start → Power and then click Restart to return to your normal Windows configuration.

Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode with networking

1. Click Start → Power and then hold the Shift key on your keyboard and click Restart.

Figure 3-1
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1. Click Troubleshoot.

Figure 3-2
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1. Click Advanced options.

Figure 3-3
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1. Click Startup Settings.

Figure 3-4
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1. Click Restart.

Figure 3-5
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1. After your computer restarts, press 5 on your keyboard to select Safe Mode with Networking.

Figure 3-6
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1. Enter your username and password to start Windows in Safe Mode with Networking.
2. Click Start → Power and then click Restart to return to your normal Windows configuration.