Safe Mode is designed to troubleshoot and diagnose problems. If your computer doesn't load normally, and you don't have any problems loading in Safe Mode, the minimal files, services and drivers Windows needs to load are not the problem. You can use Safe Mode to edit the registry, load or unload the faulty drivers, remove files or services or reverse a change made in your system. If Safe Mode does not load then the basic files, services or drivers required to load Windows could be corrupted or damaged. In this case the Recovery Console may help you.
Safe Mode boots Windows with only the basic files, services and drivers. Networking is not loaded so you will be unable to access any Network you are connected to, or the internet. Safe Mode with Command Prompt loads the same minimal files, but without the Graphical User Interface (GUI). Safe Mode with Networking is the option that loads the required files, services and drivers needed to use the internet. Last Known Good Configuration starts your computer by using the registry information that was saved the last time that your computer shut down.
Windows 95 Click Start and then click Shut Down. In the drop-down list of the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK. As your computer restarts and loads the "Starting Windows 95" splash screen, press F8. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode option, and then press ENTER. If Windows launches normally before you can choose a safe mode, restart your computer and try again.
Windows 98 Click Start and then click Shut Down. In the drop-down list of the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode option, and then press ENTER. If Windows launches normally before you can choose a safe mode, restart your computer and try again.
Windows ME Click Start and then click Shut Down. In the drop-down list of the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode option, and then press ENTER. If Windows launches normally before you can choose a safe mode, restart your computer and try again.
Windows 2000 Restart your computer, and when the Boot menu appears, press F8. When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select an option, and then press ENTER. When the Boot menu appears again, with the words "Safe Mode" displayed in red at the bottom, select the installation you want to start, and then press ENTER. If Windows launches normally before you can choose a safe mode, restart your computer and try again. WARNING: Do not select a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 installation.
Windows XP Click Start and then click Shut Down. In the drop-down list of the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8. On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press F8 when the boot menu appears. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode option, and then press ENTER. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER. If Windows launches normally before you can choose a safe mode, restart your computer and try again.
Windows Vista Click Start and then click the arrow next to the Padlock. In the pullout menu, click Restart. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8. In the Windows Vista Advanced Boot Options use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode option, and then press ENTER. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER. If Windows launches normally before you can choose a safe mode, restart your computer and try again.
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