How to Start Windows 10 into Safe Mode or Normal Mode
Safe mode starts Windows in a basic state, using a limited set of files and drivers. It can help you troubleshoot problems on your PC. For example, if the problem doesn't happen in safe mode, you'll know default settings and basic device drivers aren't causing the issue.
There are three different safe mode options:
- Enable Safe Mode: Starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services.
- Enable Safe Mode with Networking: Starts Windows in safe mode and includes the network drivers and services needed to access the Internet or other computers on your network.
- Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Starts Windows in safe mode with a Command Prompt window instead of the usual Windows interface. This option is intended for IT pros and system admins.
When you boot to Safe Mode, you will only be able to sign in with your PIN or password, and not with any other sign-in option (ex: Fingerprint or Face).
Starting with Windows 10 build 18995, Microsoft is taking another step forward in the Passwordless sign-in journey by adding Windows Hello PIN sign-in support to Safe mode, so that you no longer have rely on your password when troubleshooting your device.
This tutorial will show you how to boot Windows 10 into normal mode, Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
You will not be able to use multiple displays while in Safe Mode.
Safe Mode will not be available in Advanced Startup if you deleted the Recovery partition.
For a Windows 11 version of this tutorial, see:
Boot to Safe Mode in Windows 11
Contents
- Option One: Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode or Normal Mode using Advanced Startup Options
- Option Two: Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode or Normal Mode using System Configuration (msconfig)
- Option Three: Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode or Normal Mode using Command Prompt
EXAMPLE: Windows 10 in Safe Mode
![]()
You can restart the computer to return to normal mode if you use this option to boot into Safe Mode.
1 Boot to advanced startup options.
2 Click/tap on Troubleshoot. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Advanced options. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on Start Settings. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Restart. (see screenshot below)
6 When your computer restarts press the key below for what mode you would like to start Windows 10 in. (see screenshot below)
Key to Press Mode Enter Normal Mode (default) 4 or F4 Safe Mode 5 or F5 Safe Mode with Networking 6 or F6 Safe Mode with Command Prompt
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, type msconfig into Run, and click/tap on OK.
2 If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.
3 Click/tap on the Boot tab in System Configuration, and do step 4, step 5, step 6, or step 7 below for what mode you would like to start Windows 10 in.
This is the default setting.
A) Uncheck Safe boot under Boot options, check Make all boot settings permanent, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on Yes, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
A) Under Boot options, check Safe boot and select (dot) Minimal, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
A) Under Boot options, check Safe boot and select (dot) Network, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
A) Under Boot options, check Safe boot and select (dot) Alternate shell, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
8 Click/tap on Restart to apply. (see screenshot below)
1 Open an elevated command prompt or command prompt at boot.
You must be signed in as an administrator to open an elevated command prompt.
You can open a command prompt at boot without being an administrator.
2 Type bcdedit in the command prompt, and press Enter.
3 Under the top Windows Boot Manager section, look to right of default, and make note of its identifier (ex: {current}). (see screenshots below)
4 Do step 5, step 6, step 7, or step 8 below for what mode you would like to start Windows 10 in.
This is the default setting.
A) Type the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter.B) If you are currently in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, then you will also need to type the command below, and press Enter.
bcdedit /deletevalue {identifier} safeboot
Substitute identifier in the command above with the actual identifier (ex: {current}) from step 3.
For example: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safebootC) Go to step 9 below.
bcdedit /deletevalue {identifier} safebootalternateshell
Substitute identifier in the command above with the actual identifier (ex: {current}) from step 3.
For example:bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safebootalternateshell
A) Type the command below into the command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 9 below.
bcdedit /set {identifier} safeboot minimal
Substitute identifier in the command above with the actual identifier (ex: {current}) from step 3.
For example:bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal
A) Type the command below into the command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 9 below.
bcdedit /set {identifier} safeboot network
Substitute identifier in the command above with the actual identifier (ex: {current}) from step 3.
For example: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot network
A) Type the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter.
bcdedit /set {identifier} safeboot minimal
Substitute identifier in the command above with the actual identifier (ex: {current}) from step 3.
For example:bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal
B) Type the command below into the command prompt, press Enter, and go to step 9 below.
bcdedit /set {identifier} safebootalternateshell yes
Substitute identifier in the command above with the actual identifier (ex: {current}) from step 3.
For example: bcdedit /set {current} safebootalternateshell yes
9 Restart the computer.
If you are currently in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, then you could type the command below and press Enter to instantly restart the computer.
shutdown /r /t 00
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Related Tutorials
- How to Add Safe Mode to Desktop Context Menu in Windows 10
- How to Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Always Boot to Advanced Startup Settings in Windows 10
- How to Troubleshoot Windows 10 failure to boot using Recovery Environment
- How to Add Safe Mode to Boot Options in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable F8 Advanced Boot Options in Windows 10
- How to Run Startup Repair in Windows 10
- How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts
- How to Enable or Disable Automatic Repair in Windows 10
- How to Install and Uninstall Programs in Safe Mode in Windows 10
- How to Add System Configuration (msconfig) to Control Panel in Windows