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#1
NVIDIA driver blocking Safe Mode after 1903 update
A few days ago, I updated both my laptop and desktop machines. The laptop was done with Windows Update Assistant and took about 3 hours. So far, it seems like a faultless update.
However the desktop PC was done with Windows Update, took over 8 hours and seemed successful until I tried to go into Safe Mode using Shift+Restart. After the second-level restart, all I got was a black screen. If I left that running for about 5 minutes, a normal sign-in screen would appear. The only way I found to enter Safe Mode was through Safe Boot in msconfig.
I did a lot of research but could find nothing decribing this situation. Then I discovered, by accident, that the NVIDIA driver for my GT710 card had been installed and was apparently working fine. Previously, this driver has refused to install and I was obliged to use the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, which worked perfectly well for my non-gaming situation..
I then wondered if, by any chance, the NVIDIA driver was at the root of the Safe Mode access problem so I uninstalled it and, sure enough, was able to get into Safe Mode with Shift+Restart. Of course, the NVIDIA driver reinstalls on reboot but I did try it a few times and confirmed that the NVIDIA driver is indeed blocking access to Safe Mode.
Both sfc and DSIM say there are no system errors.
It's a pity but I suppose the only answer is to switch back to the Microsoft driver - unless anyone has an alternative solution.