Windows 10 Safe Mode, Complete Guide

Windows 10 Safe Mode: what it is, what you can do with it and how to start it. Today we will talk in depth Windows 10 Safe Mode, a method by which Windows can be started without loading any drivers or applications. 

This makes it an ideal option to turn to when problems occur that prevent you from running Windows normally, and gives you a safe spot from which to attempt to fix it. Let's start by explaining in a few words and in the simplest way possible what exactly is and how to get into Safe Mode.

So we'll tell you what you can do with it and we'll finish reminding you how to boot into safe mode Windows 10. Before we finish, we'll remember one of its limitations, that you can't reset Windows to leave it as freshly installed, and we'll tell you what your alternative is.

Windows 10 Safe Mode, Complete Guide

What exactly is Windows 10 Safe Mode

When you boot your computer conventionally, Windows launches all programs configured to run at startup. This includes Windows services itself and a large number of drivers for your computer's hardware. Sometimes, some of these programs or drivers can cause an error that hinders startup or even load malware that we will not be able to eliminate easily later on.

Conversely, Windows 10 soft boot starts only the components strictly necessary to function. It only uses generic video drivers, so low resolution screen and the rest of the hardware drivers don't even load them. It also doesn't launch third-party applications, not even those configured to start with your computer, and only manages essential Windows services.

This Windows Safe Mode is designed for when everything goes wrong and you can't log into Windows normally, either due to an error blocking it or because of blue screens. If you have any malware or conflicting drivers, Safe Mode will help fix them because it won't work. Therefore, it is a good place to start when trying to solve the problems you may have.

What can you do in safe mode

When you start Windows in Safe Mode, you will be able to perform most maintenance and troubleshooting tasks with Windows. Here are some of the activities you will be able to perform:

• close malware- Although Windows Defender doesn't load correctly, if you have an antivirus installed, you can run it to eliminate some particularly elusive threats. Some viruses that are difficult or impossible to clear in conventional mode because they remain running in the background and interfere with the antivirus, with safe mode you can eliminate them.
• Check for a software error: If your computer has become unstable, it could be a symptom of a hardware component failure. Therefore, if Safe Mode starts successfully, you can reduce the chances of this option. Even so, it's not something 100% feasible, since the problem could give you a component when you use it intensely, something you won't do in this mode.
• Uninstall software: Of course in this mode you will also be able to uninstall applications, so if any of them are the ones causing the failures in normal startup you can get rid of them from here.
• Update hardware driver: If the problem when starting Windows is usually caused by a driver, starting the safe mode with an Internet connection you can install updates from the manufacturer pages, since the driver does not load will not prevent the operation.
• Restore the system to an earlier point: If your computer was working fine and started having problems recently, it is possible that some recent changes have made it unstable. Therefore, in safe mode you can restore your system to a previously saved point. This can also be done from running Windows in its entirety, but if your errors are interfering with the process this is another solution.

How to start your PC in safe mode

Let's start from the first part, that of starting Windows 10 Safe Mode. To do this, Click the Shut Down button in Windows or on the login screen (1) and when the stop options appear, click the Restart option while holding down the Shift key (2) on the keyboard.

You will enter Windows Advanced Startup. In it, fai before click on the option Resolution of the problems which will appear on the first screen you arrive at. Since it is assumed that if you have to enter safe mode it is because something is wrong, this is where you will enter the mode to enter.

From here Windows suggests resetting your computer and other functions which may vary from version to Windows. What interests us to start PC in safe mode is the last one: click on Advanced Options.

Next you will need to click Startup Settings. In some versions of Windows this section does not appear directly in the first window, but you must first click on the See more recovery options option that appears at the bottom of the screen so that it appears on the next page.

You will come to a screen where you will be informed of all the options you can choose from after rebooting the system, including Safe Mode with or without network functions. Press the Restart button to proceed. You will then be shown a menu, where you can now choose to start Windows in Safe Mode.

It is also possible that the screen will be shown to you in this other format. In this case, all you need to do is press the corresponding number keys on your PC when booting into safe mode. This can be with the network, command prompt only, or normal offline safe mode.

You will not be able to restore your computer

However, being able to use only what is strictly necessary also limits Safe Mode a bit, and there are some things you can't do that wouldn't hurt. Eg, you will not be able to restore your computer from here. The option will be loaded from the configuration, but when you run it it will tell you that it cannot be done.

To do this you will have to resort to the advanced startup of Windows 10. You do not have to worry if errors occur when starting Windows, as this mode can be started directly from the lock screen. Just hold hold down the Shift key while pressing the Restart option and do not release it until the computer loads in this mode.

You will enter a blue screen where you are offered several options. Here, you have to first click on Troubleshoot by moving to it with your keyboard and pressing the Enter key. On the next screen, click on the option Reset this device. When you do this, you will go to another screen where you simply have to decide whether or not you want to keep the files on your computer.

Remember that in order not to regret the loss of important files or settings when you need to reset your computer, it is best to make regular Windows backups. This way you will always have your files at hand to recover them in extreme cases like these.