Safe Mode is helpful for troubleshooting computer problems, including software and hardware issues. To access Safe Mode in Windows or macOS, select a link below for the operating system you have on your computer.

Windows 11

To access Safe Mode in Windows 11, follow the steps below.

Accessing Safe Mode for Windows or macOS requires the use of a working keyboard. If the keyboard on your computer does not work, you cannot access Safe Mode.

  • Windows 11

  • Windows 10

  • Windows 8

  • Windows 7 and Windows Vista

  • Windows XP and Windows 2000

  • Windows 98 and Windows ME

  • Windows 95

  • macOS

  • How to get out of Safe Mode.

  • Which Safe Mode option should I choose?

  • What to do if you can’t get to Microsoft Windows Safe Mode.

  • How to boot a smartphone or tablet into Safe Mode.

  • Smartphone always boots into Safe Mode.

  • Press Windows key, type Change advanced startup options, and then press Enter.

  • In the Recovery options section, click the Restart now button for the Advanced startup option.

  • Click Restart now in the pop-up window.

  • After a moment, you see a menu with four options. Select the Troubleshoot option.

  • On the next screen, select Advanced options.

  • On the next screen, select Startup Settings.

  • Click the Restart button on the following screen.

  • A screen like the one pictured should appear. Select the appropriate Safe Mode option by pressing the corresponding number on your keyboard.

Alternative method

  • Press Windows key and R together to access the Run option.
  • Type msconfig in the Open: field.
  • In the System Configuration window, click the Boot tab.
  • On the bottom-left side, in the Boot options section, check the box for Safe boot.
  • Select the Minimal option, click Apply, and then click OK.
  • Restart the computer, and it should load to Safe Mode.

Windows 10

To access Safe Mode in Windows 10, follow the steps below.

If you use the option above to access Safe Mode, you need to follow the same steps and uncheck the Safe boot option when you’re done. Otherwise, your computer continues to boot to Safe Mode each time you restart it automatically.

  • Press Windows key, type Change advanced startup options and then press Enter.
  • Under the Recovery tab, select the Restart now option under Advanced startup.
  • After a moment, you see a menu with three options. Select the Troubleshoot option.
  • Select Advanced options, Startup Settings, and then the Restart button.
  • A screen like the one pictured should appear. Select the appropriate Safe Mode option by pressing the corresponding number on your keyboard.

Windows 8

To access Safe Mode in Windows 8, follow the steps below.

  • Press Windows key, type Change advanced startup options and then press Enter.
  • Under the Recovery tab, select the Restart now option under Advanced startup.
  • After a moment, you see a menu with three options, select Troubleshoot.
  • Select Advanced options, Startup Settings, and then the Restart button.
  • A screen like the one pictured should appear. Select the appropriate Safe Mode option by pressing the corresponding number on your keyboard.

Alternative method 1

  • When the computer is booting, press and hold Shift and tap the F8 key repeatedly until the Recovery screen appears.
  • Click the See advanced repair options option on the Recovery screen.
  • On the Choose an option screen, select the Troubleshoot option.
  • Select Advanced options, and then Windows Startup Settings.
  • On the Windows Start Settings screen, click the Restart option.

The standard Choose Advanced Options screen should appear when the computer restarts, similar to the example below. Use your arrow keys to move to Safe Mode and press Enter.

The following method does work if you have an SSD (solid-state drive). If you have an SSD, try the next section.

If you have trouble getting to the Recovery screen in step 1 above, you may have to try it several times, with several reboots of your computer.

Choose Advanced Options for: Microsoft Windows 8 (Use the arrow keys to highlight your choice.) Repair Your Computer Safe Mode Safe Mode with Networking Safe Mode with Command Prompt Enable Boot Logging Enable low-resolution video Debugging Mode Disable automatic restart on system failure Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Disable Early Launch Anti-Malware Driver Start Windows Normally Description: Start Windows with only the core drivers and services. Use when you cannot boot after installing a new device or driver.

Alternative method 2

  • Press Windows key and R together to access the Run option.
  • Type msconfig in the Open field.
  • In the System Configuration window, click the Boot tab.
  • On the bottom-left side, in the Boot options section, check the box for Safe boot.
  • Select the Minimal option, click Apply, and then click OK.
  • Restart the computer, and it should load to Safe Mode.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

To get into the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Safe Mode, as the computer is booting, press and hold the F8 key, which brings up the Choose Advanced Options screen shown below. Use your arrow keys to move, highlight Safe Mode, and press your Enter key.

If you are running Safe Mode because you cannot get to Windows, try loading the last known good configuration. See: How to load the last known good configuration.

Trouble Getting into Safe Mode - If, after several attempts, you cannot get the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen to come up by pressing F8, turn off your computer while it is loading into Windows. When the computer is turned on the next time, Windows notices the computer did not successfully boot and displays the Safe Mode screen below.

On some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting, a stuck key message occurs. If this occurs, continuously tap F8 upon startup rather than holding it.

Choose Advanced Options for: Microsoft Windows Vista Please select an option: Safe Mode Safe Mode with Networking Safe Mode with Command Prompt Enable Boot Logging Enable low-resolution video (640x480) Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) Directory Services Restore Mode Debugging Mode Disable automatic restart on system failure Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Start Windows Normally Description: Start Windows with only the core drivers and services. Use when you cannot boot after installing a new device or driver.

Once you’re done in Safe Mode, restart the computer if you want to get back into normal Windows. See the below how to get out of Safe Mode if you have further questions.

Windows XP and Windows 2000

To get to the Windows 2000 and XP Safe Mode, as the computer is booting, press and hold F8, which brings up the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to highlight the Safe Mode option and press your Enter key.

If you’re running Safe Mode because you cannot get to Windows, try loading the last known good configuration. See: How to load the last known good configuration.

Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe Mode - If, after several attempts, you cannot get the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen to come up by pressing F8, turn off your computer while it is loading into Windows. When the computer is turned on the next time, Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.

Windows Advanced Options Menu Please select an option: Safe Mode Safe Mode with Networking Safe Mode with Command Prompt Enable Boot Logging Enable VGA mode Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked) Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only) Debugging Mode Start Windows Normally Reboot Return to OS Choices Menu Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.

Once you’re done in Safe Mode, restart the computer if you want to get back into normal Windows, restart the computer. See the below how to get out of Safe Mode if you have further questions.

Windows 98 and Windows ME

To get into Windows 98 and ME Safe Mode, press and hold either the F8 or Ctrl key as the computer is booting up. If done correctly, a “Windows 98 Startup Menu” or “Windows ME Startup Menu” screen, similar to the example below, should appear. In this menu, choose option 3 by pressing 3 and then press Enter.

Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu

  1. Normal
  2. Logged (\BOOTLOG.TXT)
  3. Safe mode
  4. Step-by-step confirmation
  5. Command prompt only
  6. Safe mode command prompt only Enter a choice: 1 F5=Safe Mode Shift+F5=Command prompt Shift+F8= Step-by-step confirmation [N]

Once you’re done in Safe Mode, restart the computer if you want to get back to normal Windows. See the below how to get out of Safe Mode if you have further questions.

On some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting, a stuck key message occurs. If this occurs, continuously tap F8 on startup rather than holding it.

Windows 95

To get to Windows 95 Safe Mode, as the computer is booting, when you either hear a beep or when you see the message “Starting Windows 95.” Press F8 on the top of your keyboard. The “Windows 95 Startup Menu” screen, similar to the example below, should appear if done correctly. In this menu, choose option 3 by pressing 3 and then press Enter.

Microsoft Windows 95 Startup Menu

  1. Normal
  2. Logged (\BOOTLOG.TXT)
  3. Safe mode
  4. Step-by-step confirmation
  5. Command prompt only
  6. Safe mode command prompt only Enter a choice: 1 F5=Safe Mode Shift+F5=Command prompt Shift+F8= Step-by-step confirmation [N]

macOS

  • Turn on or restart your Mac.
  • Press and hold Shift while your computer boots.
  • When you see the login window, release Shift.
  • Log in to your Mac.
  • You should see “Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the screen.

How to get out of Safe Mode

To get out of Safe Mode on Windows or macOS, restart the computer.

You might have to log in a second time.

  • How to restart Microsoft Windows.
  • How to restart a Mac.

If you reboot the computer and it’s rebooting back to Safe Mode, it’s likely another problem exists with Windows, preventing it from loading to normal Windows. We recommend you see the basic troubleshooting section for additional ideas that may help resolve your issue.

Many users believe they are still in Safe Mode because the colors or video may not look correct. Unless it says “Safe Mode” in the corners of the screen, you are not in Safe Mode. If your colors are distorted, or you have video problems, see: How to view or change the screen resolution of a monitor.

Which Safe Mode option should I choose?

Users who are running later versions of Windows get different options for different versions of Safe Mode. For example, you may have options for “Safe Mode,” “Safe Mode with Networking,” and “Safe Mode with Command Prompt.” Below is a brief description of each of these different modes.

Safe Mode

The basic Safe Mode option is usually what most users want to choose when troubleshooting their computer. The only downside is that this option has no additional support.

Safe Mode with Networking

Users who need access to the Internet or the network while in Safe Mode should select this option. This mode is helpful when you need to access the Internet while in Safe Mode to get updates, drivers, or other files to help troubleshoot your issue.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt

This version of Safe Mode gives you access to the command line (MS-DOS prompt).

  • See the Safe Mode definition page for further information and related links.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.