How to enter safe mode when system totally frozen


  1. Posts : 12
    10 and 7
       #1

    How to enter safe mode when system totally frozen


    My windows is completely frozen. Key strokes don't work. The cursor moves around the screen but clicking things doesn't work. ctr+alt+del doesn't do anything.

    When I shut down manually and restart the system stays frozen on restart. F-8 isn't working to enter safe mode.

    How can I unfreeze the system, or how can I enter safe mode while everything is frozen?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,665
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Michael, :)

    See if you may be able to boot from your Windows 10 installation media to go to advanced startup, then select to boot to Safe Mode.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...a.html#option5

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 12
    10 and 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks, but I've tried all of those already. None of them work. Ctr+alt+del does nothing. I can't access anything out of the start menu because clicking doesn't work. And I don't have a login screen. When I turn the computer on it just automatically opens windows and then freezes.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 23,195
    Windows 10
       #4

    This is not ideal as it could corrupt things, but it might help
    I have done this before in Win 8 when it hangs and cannot get into safe mode

    start windows booting
    as soon as it starting to load windows force power off your machine (hold power button in)

    repeat this about 4 or 5 times, windows will then pop up with a message about something went wrong and windows is unable to be loaded, then it should offer the safe mode options

    the force power off confuses it into thinking there are problems booting
    as above though I have not done this with 10 to test, but have done this before in 8 with no bad effects
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,131
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #5

    it is written that 3 boot failures - will trigger recovery..

    or you could boot from setup media and select repair this computer (from install screen)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 23,195
    Windows 10
       #6

    Kyhi said:
    it is written that 3 boot failures - will trigger recovery..

    or you could boot from setup media and select repair this computer (from install screen)
    That's for the number, I knew it did this but wasn't sure after how many fails it offered the recovery
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12
    10 and 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    OK, that has worked (so far). I forced it to power off while in the middle of the startup process a couple of times. Next time I started up (didn't count how many times) it gave me the option to launch the trouble shooter. Which I have done. Let's see how it goes now. Thanks.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 12
    10 and 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Success. I was able to completely reset my computer to the factory pre-sets.

    By repeatedly forcing it to shut down in the middle of the startup routine I was able to access the trouble shooter. From there is was pretty straight forward.

    Thanks to everyone for the advice.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    paulsalter is a sturdy soul. :) I must confess to mashing the power button repeatedly on occasion to get out of a bind whether it is widely recommended or not.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 23,195
    Windows 10
       #10

    Good to hear you got it working again :)
      My Computer


 

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