Before you start
- Safe Mode is a diagnostic environment, not a permanent performance mode.
- Choose Safe Mode with Networking only when you genuinely need network access while diagnosing.
Open Advanced startup
Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. If Windows will not boot, enter Windows Recovery Environment from the recovery screen.
Open Startup Settings
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Choose the Safe Mode option
After restart, select 4 for Safe Mode, 5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Exit Safe Mode
Normally, simply restart Windows. If it keeps returning to Safe Mode, press Windows + R, type msconfig, open the Boot tab and clear Safe boot.
Microsoft source
This guide is independently written and condensed from current Microsoft Support guidance. If your Windows build differs or the problem persists, use the official source for the full decision tree.
Open Microsoft Support ↗