Windows 11 Safe Mode provides users with a helpful tool to establish the root cause of performance issues, crashes, and many other problems. By simplifying the operating system, leaving only the essential features for operation, Windows 11 Safe Mode allows users to evaluate what is causing a particular issue on their system.
In layman’s terms, Windows 11 Safe Mode is a stable, stripped back version of the Windows operating system. If users are able to boot into Safe Mode, it is very likely that any problems they may have with the machine can be attributed to some recently installed software or a faulty driver. If the problem is still present in Safe Mode, it’s more than likely that there is a hardware issue with the machine.
We recommend the standard Windows 11 Safe Mode configuration, which will cover the majority of issues users frequently encounter. Small modifications to the setup may be needed for specific instances, such as using ‘Safe Mode with Networking’ for cases that require internet access, or a configuration that requires users to have a good understanding of the command line interface.
Why boot into Windows 11 Safe Mode?
If you come across a problem when using your computer, the Windows 11 Safe Mode feature allows users to boot the device. Such issues could range from the computer failing to boot to problems affecting the computer after it has been turned on.
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A particularly frequent issue that Windows 11 Safe Mode can help solve is related to faults in a system’s drivers. Users attempting to download drivers from external sources, for example, may cause the appearance of the well-known blue screen death. There is a useful guide on this specific issue on ITPro which can help you fix the blue screen of death error in Windows 11.
Safe mode is designed to assist with this type of problem. It stops software from operating in a system's background, in turn making it possible for the juicer to assess the cause of the problem. Bear in mind that it's best to avoid staying in Safe Mode for any longer than necessary as it limits the computer’s function. Though some favor booting in Safe Mode in the interest of speed, this is ill-advised as it puts the machine at risk by disabling security features.
How do I know if Windows 11 is in Safe Mode?
After you complete the steps detailed below, you should have a good idea of whether or not you’ve successfully been able to boot in Windows 11 Safe Mode. Initially, you should notice that the PC is in no way personalized. Any changes you’ve made, including the desktop background, should not be present.
The phrase ‘Safe Mode’ should also be visible in small text above the desktop clock which is present in the bottom right corner of the PC screen.
How do I boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11?
You can boot your device into Windows 11 Safe Mode through a number of different actions. Handily, if you are familiar with Windows 10 the process for booting into Safe Mode in Windows 11 is virtually identical, including the menus you will need to navigate through.
To reach Safe Mode, you will first need to get to the Recovery Menu. Here are the various ways in which you can access the Recovery Menu in Windows 11.
- Method One - The Start Menu method
- Method Two - The Advanced Start method
- Method Three - The Function Key method
- Method Four - The ‘When all else fails’ method
Read on to see detailed instructions for each step.
Method One - The Start Menu method
The first, and easiest way is using the Start Menu inside Windows 11's desktop.
- Click on the ‘Start’ Menu
- Click on the ‘Power’ button in the bottom right of the menu
- Hold down the ‘Shift’ key
- While holding down ‘Shift’, click on ‘Restart
- Wait for the reboot
Method Two - The Advanced Start Method
- Click on the Windows key + i (or open Settings from the Start Menu)
- Click on System from the sidebar menu (you should already be in this menu)
- In the main window, look for Recovery and click it
- Click on ‘Advanced Startup’
- A pop up will tell you ‘We will reboot your device, so save your work’
- Click on ‘Restart Now’
- Wait for the reboot
Method Three - The Function Key method
This is great if you can’t boot into Windows 11 at all.
- Start with the computer completely shut down.
- Hold down the power key for at least ten seconds so the machine doesn’t try and ‘Quick Start’
- Press the power key again to turn on the machine whilst holding down F11*
*On some machines this will be F8 instead of F11 and on others won’t work at all without a registry hack. Check your manufacturer for more information
Method Four - The ‘When all else fails’ method
If you’ve tried everything else and still can’t trigger safe mode, there’s a workaround.
- Start with the computer completely shut down
- Turn on the computer
- Immediately hold down the power button until the boot is interrupted and the computer shuts down again
- Repeat steps 2&3 twice more
- After the third interrupted reboot, you’ll get a popup offering ‘Startup Repair’
- Select Advanced Options
Navigating the Recovery Menu
After following the steps outlined in any of the methods listed above, your PC will reboot into a recovery menu. At this stage you will need to complete these steps:
- Click on ‘Troubleshoot’
- Click on ‘Advanced Options’
- Click on ‘Start Up Settings’
- Click on ‘Restart’
After that, you will be provided with a range of Safe Mode options to choose from. We’re largely only worried about Option 4 and onwards, though.
This option is the usual default for the majority of users, beginning Safe Mode with the removal of all networking capabilities. This includes internet connectivity. Booting using this option will allow you to assess any issues inside an isolated environment.
Option 5 allows for internet connectivity and is reserved for situations in which a user needs internet access for effective problem diagnostics. You should understand that system security protections are still disabled in this mode, so only select this option if it’s absolutely vital.
Option 6 is slightly different again, allowing users to boot in Safe Mode with command prompt. This will boot in a Command Line window as opposed to the desktop. This option is good if you are experienced and would rather navigate Windows using command prompts.
Whichever option you choose, your machine should then boot in Safe Mode.
Leaving Safe Mode
The good news is that once you’ve finished this step you can simply restart the machine and your original, personalized version of Windows 11 will be restored.
If you need to reboot and then go back into Safe Mode, you’ll need to follow one of the above methods each time.
