How to boot into Safe Mode from Pwered OFF state

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 565
    Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
       #1

    How to boot into Safe Mode from Pwered OFF state


    I have just upgraded my PC from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 v1903, build 18362.295 and getting into safe mode is different. I know how to boot into safe mode from Windows 10, i.e. the powered ON state, but how do I get my PC to boot into safe mode from the powered OFF state?
    In Windows 8.1 I used to be able to press F10 (a few times) after switching ON to get me into 'Windows Boot Manager' and then 'Advanced Boot Options' where I could select 'Safe Mode'.
    In Windows 10 I have tried the same method without success. I have also tried the (traditional) F8 key but this did not work either. How do I get access to the 'Windows Boot Manager' or 'Advanced Boot Options' from the powered OFF state where I can select 'Safe Mode'?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 42,992
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    You could do this:
    Add Safe Mode to Boot Options in Windows 10

    Consider this:
    Enable or Disable F8 Advanced Boot Options in Windows 10

    Both have trade-offs in slowing the normal boot procedure.

    Note that you can boot to the login screen, then using the Power button on the screen, SHIFT + left click Restart and follow through the prompts and a restart to reboot to Safe Mode.

    Also note
    How to Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode if Windows Cannot Boot normally. - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 985
    Windows 10 Home 21H1
       #3

    Power On the PC with the shift key held down.
      My Computer


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

    What is that going to do? (I know, try it, and I will when my VM finishes updating, but what do you think it will do?)
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 41,474
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #5

    See option 3 > step 6

    Safe mode tutorial:
    Boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 985
    Windows 10 Home 21H1
       #6

    Ztruker said:
    What is that going to do? (I know, try it, and I will when my VM finishes updating, but what do you think it will do?)
    I know that you can hold down the shift key and press restart and it takes you into the Advanced Boot options and you get to Safe Mode there. I read somewhere that powering up the PC while holding down the shift key does the same thing
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 565
    Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    "Note that you can boot to the login screen, then using the Power button on the screen, SHIFT + left click Restart and follow through the prompts and a restart to reboot to Safe Mode."

    Thank you dalchina. This is close to what I was after but it needs the computer to boot to the log-in screen in the first place. Maybe Windows 10 doesn't allow booting into safe mode from the powered OFF state by the simple pressing of a 'Function' key because 'Fast Startup' is too fast for this to work? I do like Fast Startup so I will leave it enabled.

    I have Macrium Reflect installed and I have Rescue media with 'Full' images backed-up so perhaps I won't need Safe Mode from powered OFF state. Thanks for all replies. I'll consider this thread answered unless someone has further input.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I find I do not know how to show a thread is 'Answered'. What do I click-on and where do I find it?
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 42,992
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    Does enabling F8 work for you? You're right, the reasoning (and this was discussed first years ago when MS made this change) was that in striving to reduce boot time, it would not be reliable to capture someone hitting a key. Couple that with fast startup and using SSDs..

    You're looking for this:
    How to boot into Safe Mode from Pwered OFF state-snap-2019-08-22-12.51.37.png
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 565
    Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I tried enabling and using the F8 key without success. I have a SSD which, coupled with Fast Startup, is too fast I believe for any key presses to work. My computer gets to the log-in screen in 12 to 14 seconds so I think that tells a story in itself.
    It would have been good to be able to just press a key but I can live without the feature. It is just more trouble to fix a computer if it won’t even boot to the log-in screen because then I have to restore an image using a bootable USB device/stick.

    Thanks again. I'll mark it 'Solved' now.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 42,992
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #10

      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:17.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums