How to Start Computer in Safe Mode and Reasons to Do So Here is a guide to start your computer in safe mode. Safe Mode is the Windows diagnostics mode. When you start the computer in Safe Mode, only the specific components that are needed to run the operating system are loaded. Safe Mode does not allow some functions, such as a connection to the Internet, depending upon the Windows version. Safe Mode also loads a standard video driver at a low resolution. Due to the low resolution, your programs and the Windows desktop may look different from usual and the desktop icons may have moved to different locations on the desktop. It is useful for flashing your drive (updating firmware) as well as other things such as: Removing Viruses / Spyware Often the only way to remove certain persistent virus and spyware programs is to run your system in Safe Mode. Many forms of malicious software will protect or reinstall themselves constantly if they are allowed to start in the first place. These programs will situate themselves in one of the many autorun locations in the Windows registry and file structure. When Windows is started normally, so is the offending software, running as a process in the background. When you start the PC in Safe Mode, these autorun locations are not used, and no software is started automatically. This can allow virus and spyware removal programs the opportunity they need to remove the malicious software completely. If you are having virus or spyware problems on your PC, you should always run antivirus and anti-spyware programs in Safe Mode to ensure that they have maximum effect. Download the latest version of the software (e.g. MalwareBytes) before you go to safe mode so that you donвЂ™t need networking. Running System Restore in Safe Mode to Recover a Non-booting System If you have System Restore enabled on your system, you may still run into problems with software or bad drivers. If your Windows XP installation will not boot normally, how do you get to your restore points? You can go to the most recent restore point by using the вЂњlast known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked)вЂќ option in the Windows advanced options menu, but if that does not fix your problem, use Safe Mode. Note that you cannot create restore points in safe mode; only load them. Troubleshooting Software Problems Have you ever installed new software and found that your PC now refuses to even boot? With the range of possible hardware and software configurations for PCs, it is practically impossible for software makers to test fully their applications in all circumstances. Faulty drivers or software can cause a whole world of problems on a Windows system. Constant crashing or failure to even boot are two of the most common symptoms. Fortunately, Windows Safe Mode gives you a chance to put things right by disabling or removing the offending software. Fixing driver problems If you have installed a new driver for your graphics card or other peripheral, and your PC has gone haywire as a consequence, Safe Mode can help you reverse the damage. The most common signs of driver malfunction are blue screens and other crashes during the Windows loading process. Of course, you can uninstall and roll back device drivers in Windows XP, but this comes as little consolation if you cannot boot correctly into the operating system. By booting into Safe Mode, you can generally bypass the faulty drivers (since Safe Mode uses its own set of default drivers and ignores non-essential peripherals like sound) and get to the operating system where you can remove them. 7/25/13 Safe mode - Windows XP and Windows 7 Using the F8 key to start 1. Restart the computer. Some computers have a progress bar that refers to the word BIOS. Others may not let you know what is happening. 2. As soon as the BIOS loads, begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard. Do so until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. If this happens restart the computer and try again. 3. Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, select Safe mode and then press Enter. Safe mode - Windows 8 1. Hold the shift key down and click on Restart in the Settings Charm, then Power, then Restart 2. Choose Troubleshoot option 3. Choose Advanced Options 4. Choose Startup Settings вЂ“ Use the number or F keys to choose the option you want 5. Click on Restart Using the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP, 7 and 8 in Safe mode 1. Close all open programs. 2. Click Start > Run or use the Search Box in Windows 7/8 3. In the Run dialog box, type msconfig and then click OK. 4. In the System Configuration Utility, on the BOOT tab, check SAFEBOOT and choose the version you want: п‚· Minimal is normal basic safe mode п‚· Alternate shell is safe mode with command prompt п‚· Network is safe mode with networking 5. Click OK. 6. When you are asked to restart the computer, click Restart. The computer restarts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.) You will have to choose which option you want: When you are finished working in Safe mode, use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP in normal mode. 1. Finish what you need to do in Safe mode. 2. In the section above, repeat steps 2-4, but in step 4, uncheck /SAFEBOOT. 3. Click OK 4. Restart the computer. 7/25/13