How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10 and 11

If your Windows PC keeps freezing, crashing, or acting suspicious due to malware, booting into Safe Mode is the safest way to diagnose and fix the problem. Safe Mode loads only essential system files and drivers, disabling third‑party apps that may interfere with troubleshooting.

Below is the easiest and most reliable method to enter Safe Mode directly from the Windows desktop.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Click the Start button on your taskbar, then click the Power icon.

Step 2: Use the Shift Key Trick

Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.

Step 3: Click Restart

While holding Shift, click Restart in the power menu. You can release the Shift key once the screen turns blue and shows “Please wait”.

Step 4: Navigate the Recovery Menu

Your PC will reboot into the blue Choose an option screen. Follow this path:

• Click Troubleshoot

• Click Advanced options

• Click Startup Settings

• Click Restart

Step 5: Enable Safe Mode

After your PC restarts again, you will see a list of startup options.

Press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode. Press 5 or F5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking.

Once you finish troubleshooting, simply restart your PC normally to exit Safe Mode.

Related Articles 

• How to Use "Nearby Sharing" to Send Files Between Windows PCs Wirelessly

• How to Generate a Secret "Battery Report" to Check Your Laptop's Health

• How to Use Reliability Monitor to Identify and Fix Windows Crashes 

Important Note

Some corporate or managed devices may hide Safe Mode options due to administrator policies. If you don’t see Startup Settings, your PC may be using restricted configurations.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only. The author is not responsible for hardware damage, data loss, or system issues caused by incorrect troubleshooting steps. Always back up important files before making system changes.