Apparently, any user knows that it is sometimes recommended to boot the system using a special start option called Safe Mode (the so-called safe mode). Why do you need to use it, and how to turn on the computer in safe mode, then we'll see. Immediately it is worth noting that the actions performed vary greatly, depending on the modification of the Windows operating system, which runs a computer or laptop. However, despite this, one can propose a general solution that applies to any of the known versions.
What is safe mode and what is it used for?
To get started, let's briefly dwell on what this mode is, and why its use is sometimes so important. In most cases, it is used when the operating system is unstable or when it is not possible to load it in normal mode to eliminate all kinds of problems. Usually, users do not pay attention to the options for starting the system and choose the standard Safe Mode, but this is not always advisable, since in this case the network drivers are completely ignored, and Internet access, for example, for downloading some important components of the system itself is not available .
In some situations, command line support may be required, because it is its tools that help you eliminate possible problems and failures when loading Windows as efficiently as possible. Actually, most users saw such instructions in the start menu of some modifications of Windows, but simply ignored their application, but when choosing the wrong start method, some operations turned out to be impossible.
How to start a computer in safe start mode in Windows 7 and below?
Now we proceed directly to the activation of such a start. How to start the computer in safe boot mode in the seventh version and earlier versions, probably, there is no particular need to explain. Probably, everyone has already guessed that we are talking about calling a special start menu, in which you can select several types of actions.
Access to it is activated by pressing the F8 key at the very beginning of the system boot (after transferring control to the bootloader from the BIOS, but before the Windows logo appears). In some cases, you may need to press the key several times, since a single effect may not give (the main thing is not to miss the point). On some non-standard keyboards, where the function keys are combined with the number buttons, you may need to simultaneously press additional keys like Alt, Fn or Shift.
How to enter safe computer mode in the eighth and tenth versions of the system?
The release of the eighth version, its version 8.1, and then the tenth modification was marked by the indignation of users, since the use of the standard boot menu call in them disappeared, although it itself may have remained, which will be discussed later. In them, the computer is turned on in safe mode using many additional steps, and without the use of removable media with a distribution kit or recovery disk, it is extremely difficult for an ordinary user to get to such an option to boot.
In a working system, for this you need to enter the options menu, select the recovery partition, and then use the item for special boot options, then select the boot options through the diagnostics and additional options and press the restart button.
Only after that the computer or laptop restarts, and the start menu appears on the screen containing items for choosing the desired action (the menu itself is blue and is slightly different from what the user sees in Windows 7 and below).
Loading in Safe Mode: General Settings for All Systems
Now a few words about how to start the computer in safe mode, based on the general methods that you can apply, regardless of the installed version of Windows. For this, in any OS there is a special configuration tool called from the console by “execute” with the msconfig command.
After entering the configurator, you need to go to the download tab and simply mark the item of safe start with loading the minimum configuration. But there are pitfalls. The fact is that when this type of start is activated, loading in Safe Mode will be performed continuously. How to disable safe mode on a computer, it seems, is already clear. In a loaded system, you just need to go back to the configuration and uncheck the box above.
Starting Secure Boot Using Removable Media
Finally, let's see how to start the computer in safe mode if the system does not boot at all and under no pretext. To select the desired action, you can use bootable media (for example, an installation disk with any latest version of Windows), after choosing the language settings, go to recovery and then call up the command line, for which you can use either the corresponding main menu item or the quick combination Shift + F10 . In the console, enter the command "bcdedit / set {globalsettings} advancedoptions true" (without quotes). To cancel a safe start in a loaded system, you should call the command console and execute the above command, but without the additional “true” operator at the end. After that, the start will be made with the usual download.
How to return the start menu for Windows 8 and 10?
Naturally, many users of the last two modifications of the system would like to return to using the F8 key to call up the start menu, since it is both simpler and more practical.
This can be done quite simply if you run the command line (required as administrator), and then run the command "bcdedit / set {current} bootmenupolicy legacy" (again, without quotation marks at the beginning and at the end). Upon completion of all actions, a restart is made, and pressing the F8 key gives the same result as in systems of the seventh modification and below. By the way, this option is also good because you can not refuse to use the special launch options, which were mentioned above. It is mainly intended for a more convenient menu call at the start of the operating system, and even if the system does not boot at all, and it is impossible to get to the desired item.