How to Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode

Windows 8 is quite an advanced operating system than the previous generation Windows operating system and you can easily troubleshoot your PC if you’re facing issues in your PC. Like other or older Windows operating system you can also troubleshoot the error or issue by using safe mode in your PC, but many users find it difficult to start the safe mode in windows 8.

The issue or troubleshooting is mainly due to the application which you have previously used or installed in your PC, which may cause your PC to malfunction.

The Safe mode can be used in most cases when you’re facing issue while using your PC and it is the method or way in the Windows Operating System, which is used to load your operating system without loading all drivers or applications which are essential to run your PC without flaw.

How to Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode

The Safe mode is used in a critical situation when there is an issue faced by the user while using a Windows Operating System. There are many methods to start your Windows 8 PC in safe mode and they are given below

1. Restart Your PC Multiple Times

The easy and simple method to run your PC on safe mode is to restart your PC ( or force shutdown your PC) again and again until your PC goes to troubleshooting mode. When Windows 8 or 8.1 fail to boot three times in a row, it will automatically turn on or starts its Automatic Repair mode in your PC while booting up. (i.e.. Follow this step to enter safe mode

• Press the power button for 2 to 4 seconds or restart button in your PC or Laptop and wait for it to restart and boot up.
• Restart or turn off your PC or laptop again and again until Windows displays the Automatic Repair screen.
• Click on the Advanced options in Automatic Repair screen.
• On the next screen, Click on the Troubleshoot option.
• Go to Advanced Options and then go to Startup Setting.
• Then Click on the Restart option. Once you get Startup Setting Screen, then press 4 or F4 key on your keyboard to enter into safe mode.

You can also try another Safe Mode by pressing 5 or F5 key on your keyboard for Safe Mode with Networking and 6 or F6 key on your keyboard for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

If this method doesn’t work in your PC, then try to follow another method which is given below

2. Shift + Restart on the windows login screen

This method mostly works on any Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 PC. You can use this method even without login to your user account. Follow the step to enter into safe mode

• On the Sign in the screen of your PC, Press and Hold the SHIFT key and click on the Power Button simultaneously and then restart. You can also use this method after login to your PC
• Troubleshoot menu will appear on your screen
• On troubleshoot screen select Advanced options and then click on Startup Setting.
• Windows will inform or alert you to restart your PC so that it can change boot option. Finally, it will enable Safe Mode and click or tab Restart
• After your PC reboots, the windows will show many different startup settings.
• Select Safe Mode or press 4 or F4 key
• You can also opt for Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode with Command Prompt by pressing 5 or F5 and 6 or F6 key respectively on your keyboard.

Windows 8 or 8.1 will boot up according to your Safe Mode environment, which you have opted for.

3. Using Command Prompt

Before going to the Command Prompt, you have to create a Windows 8 bootable media disk such as a DVD or USB removable drive (if you already have one means, you don’t have to create one).

The Windows 8 bootable disk is used to boot up your PC in Safe Mode. Follow the steps for boot up your PC in Safe Mode via Windows 8 bootable disk.

• Insert Windows 8 bootable DVD or USB device into your PC. And restart your PC and press F10 or F11 or F12(These keys are based on your manufacturer) to go to the boot manager and select the drive which contains your Windows 8 bootable DVD or USB device.
• Windows 8 Setup screen will appear on your PC, then you have click Next
• On the next screen, you have to click on the Repair your computer Option which is given below the Windows setup screen.
• On the next screen Choose an option screen will appear, and then you have to click on the Troubleshoot option and then click on the Advanced options.
• In Advanced options screen you will find Command Prompt option, just click into it.
• Type bcdedit/set{default} safe boot minimal and press enter on your keyboard and wait until the command prompt tells you that “The operation completed successfully”
• Then close the Command Prompt and you will be taken back to the Choose an option screen in Windows setup.
• Click on Continue option and then your PC will reboot and automatically goes to Safe Mode.

This method works almost all the time, but your PC will always go to the Safe mode if you’re using Windows 8.1. You can disable it by going to the Command prompt and type bcdedit/deletevalue {default} safe boot. This will disable the safe mode in your PC.

4. Using the System Configuration Tool

This method is the easiest method of all. You can easily go to the Safe Mode by using the System Configuration tool such as msconfig.exe. Follow the steps to enable safe mode by using the system configuration tool

• Login your Windows 8 PC and type msconfig in your Start Screen and then click or tab on the result which contains msconfig.
• The System Configuration screen will appear, then go to Boot tab and in the Boot option check (tick in the box if it hasn’t) the box which has a Safe boot.
• Then click Apply and click Ok on the System Configuration screen.
• Now you will get a popup message from windows that “you need to restart your PC to apply these changes”( you have to click or tab Restart option to restart now or you can opt for restart later option)

You PC will run in safe mode after the restart.

5. Using Recovery options in the PC setting

You can also turn on safe mode by using PC setting (in case your PC still works). Follow the steps to go into Safe Mode

• Open the PC setting and go to Update and recovery, which is the last option on the left of your PC setting screen
• Then go to the Recovery in the Update and recovery screen
• You will find 3 options, then click into Restart now in the Advanced startup option
• Your PC will restart and shows Choose an option screen. Where Click on the Troubleshoot option.
• Then go to Advanced option and after that click on Startup setting.
• Click on Restart option in the screen, then press 4 or F4 on your keyboard to boot into safe mode.

You can also opt for other Safe Mode by pressing 5 or F5 and 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode with command prompt respectively.