How to - Escape from an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop

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  1. Posts : 16,784
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #1

    How to - Escape from an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop


    This thread is based on a 2017 article I wrote in the MSAnswers forum, hence the rather dated screenshots.

    Getting into Safe mode by changing entries in MSConfig can sometimes get you stuck in Safe mode at every boot.
    - This thread only addresses the case of getting stuck in Safe mode by having got there by altering MSConfig.
    - This thread does not address other causes of getting stuck in apparent Safe mode boot loops. An inability to escape from Safe mode booting might, for example, be caused by a fatal Windows error stopping Windows from loading so it would not be a 'Safe mode boot loop' as such but rather a repeated Windows loading falure. It would be that fatal error that needed investigating rather than MSConfig.
    - The primary Safe mode reference is Boot into Safe Mode - TenForumsTutorials

    The solution to an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop requires booting from a Windows 10 installation disk and then issuing a particular BCDEdit command. The computer should then be able to boot into Windows in the normal manner.


    1 To make an installation disk to boot from use
    Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10 - TenForumsTutorials
    I always use Option 1, the Media creation tool method, with an 8GB USB. Everything else on the disk will be wiped off so don't use one with any useful files on it.

    2 Boot from the installation disk [it is a repair tool as well as an installation tool]. In case you have never booted from a USB before -
    2.1 Remove any other USB drives first because they can complicate things,
    2.2 Connect the installation USB,
    2.3 Restart the computer [restarting it rather than turning it off completely first sidesteps any complications from having Fast start enabled in Windows],
    2.3 When the PC restarts & whilst the maker's logo is still onscreen before the Windows symbol comes up,
    2.4 Press the Boot options key that is probably identified onscreen,
    [if the screen does not tell you which key to press then you will have to check your computer manual or the computer maker's website to find out because different makers use different keys],
    2.5 In Boot options, select USB storage device - If you have a UEFI computer you must choose the option in the menu to boot the USB as UEFI not legacy because Step 11 depends on it. If you have an old Bios [non-UEFI] computer then you do not have this complication, just select the USB and Step 11 will work anyway.
    2.6 Press the Return key on your keyboard

    3 You'll see a Windows icon as it starts up & it will take longer than your usual boot,

    4 You will then see a dialog asking you to choose the language, time-currency & keyboard region,



    5 Then click on the button in the bottom right [labelled Next],

    6 Then you'll be taken to the main Install page but do not choose that - click on Repair your computer instead. Remember that you are not trying to reinstall Windows, you are just using the installation USB as a repair tool.



    7 Then you'll see the Choose an option screen,



    8 Click on Troubleshoot to go to the Troubleshoot menu,



    9 Click on Advanced options,



    10 Click on Command prompt,


    [You can now, if you wish, get back into normal booting by referring to the much neater diagrams & steps in Boot into Safe Mode - TenForumsTutorials - Option 3, steps 1 - 5 which are the same as my scruffy steps 11 - 14 below.]

    11 Enter this
    BCDEdit

    12 You will get a response like this -



    13 Look at the line that says Windows 10 then look up three lines to the "identifier" where mine says {default} [and yours probably will too].

    14.1 If yours does also say {default} then enter this [including its brackets, just as shown]
    bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
    14.2 If yours does not also say {default} then enter whatever it does say inside the curly brackets [including its brackets, just as shown]
    bcdedit /deletevalue {WhatEverItDoesSay} safeboot

    15 That's it, all done.

    16 Close the Command prompt [The menu screen might then close automatically but if not you can just click on the back arrows until you reach the Choose an option screen where you can click on Turn off your PC].

    17 Restart the computer and it should now boot straight into Windows properly and not into Safe mode.

    18 You can now remove the installation USB.

    19 You can use the installation USB to store other files as well but make sure you do not alter any of its existing contents.




    Thanks go to the MSAnswers forum user Virginia, the Time lady, who first publicised this fix in that forum. And to Niki Han in the TechNet forum who is the earliest source for this fix that I have been able to find - 2011 [ultimately, the source will have been TechNet's excellent Command line reference or Microsoft's BCDEdit Reference.]


    Denis
    Last edited by Try3; 03 Aug 2022 at 14:30.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    @Try3 - Hi, found this linked here on an MS site where you posted it, and used it in a current thread where the poster doesn't know a password and is stuck..

    I can't see this covered in the tutorial section- do you know if it is, or if you've proposed it to Shawn?

    Thanks.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 16,784
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I am not sure if I proposed it as a tutorial or not. My notes are contradictory.

    I've just [re-?] submitted it
    How to - Escape from an MSConfig-induced Safe mode boot loop

    All the best,
    Denis
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #4

    Curious. That bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot command can't be used from a Command Prompt in Safe Mode?
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 16,784
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Ztruker said:
    Curious. That bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot command can't be used from a Command Prompt in Safe Mode?
    No, Windows is already running.

    Denis
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #6

    So the bcdstore is locked at that point? What happens if you try to use the command then? What error do you get?

    I'll have to try it just to see what happens.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 16,784
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Rich,

    When Windows is already running, you won't get a {default} entry [just a {current} entry].

    Denis
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #8

    Ah. Well that puts the screws to it for sure. Thanks.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 16,784
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
    Thread Starter
       #9

    According to this HP article, you can issue that BCD command in the onboard WRE - I had always thought that the external WRE of an installation disk was required.

    HP PCs - Windows Safe Mode (Windows 10, 8) - HP Customer Support
    - Look under the headings
    Entering Safe Mode without access to Startup Settings
    Exiting Safe Mode
    - I've had that article for years but have only just realised the significance of those sections.

    Denis
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #10

    That looks very promising. Have to try it and see if {default} is present. That could simply your tutorial a bit.
      My Computers


 

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