How to Boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode (Step-by-Step)

Safe Mode starts Windows 11 with only the basic drivers and services it needs to run, which makes it a lot easier to troubleshoot crashes, driver problems, or stubborn malware. You can get into Safe Mode from inside Windows using Settings, from the sign-in screen, or through recovery options if your PC won’t boot normally at all.

Quick steps

1. Open Settings and go to System > Recovery.
2. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
3. After restart, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings, then click Restart.
4. Press 4 (or F4) for Safe Mode, or 5 (or F5) for Safe Mode with Networking.

Before you start

A few things to check before you dive in:

• You’ll need an administrator account, or at least the admin password, to access advanced startup options.
• Save any open work first, since this process restarts your PC right away.
• If Windows 11 won’t start at all, you don’t need to follow the “from inside Windows” steps. Jump straight to the section below on getting there from a black screen.
• Exiting Safe Mode is simple: just restart your PC normally, and it will boot back into your regular desktop.

Boot into Safe Mode from Settings (Windows starts normally)

This is the easiest route if your PC turns on and you can reach the desktop, even if things are running slowly or acting strangely.

1. Click Start, then open Settings.
2. Select System from the left menu, then click Recovery.
3. Find Advanced startup and click Restart now.
4. Your PC will restart to a blue screen. Select Troubleshoot.
5. Select Advanced options.
6. Select Startup Settings.
7. Click Restart on the Startup Settings screen.
8. Once your PC restarts again, you’ll see a numbered list of options. Press 4 or F4 to start in plain Safe Mode, 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking (useful if you need internet access while troubleshooting), or 6 or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Boot into Safe Mode from the sign-in screen

If you can reach the Windows 11 sign-in screen but can’t log in normally, you can still get to the same recovery menu.

1. On the sign-in screen, click the Power icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, then click Restart.
3. Keep holding Shift until your PC restarts to the blue Choose an option screen.
4. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings, then click Restart.
5. When the list of startup options appears, press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, or 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Boot into Safe Mode using System Configuration (msconfig)

This method is handy if you want Windows to boot straight into Safe Mode every time it starts, for example while you troubleshoot a recurring issue over several restarts.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter to open System Configuration.
3. Click the Boot tab.
4. Under Boot options, check the box for Safe boot.
5. Choose Minimal for standard Safe Mode, or Network if you need internet access while in Safe Mode.
6. Click OK, then click Restart when prompted.

Your PC will now boot into Safe Mode automatically every time. When you’re done troubleshooting, go back into System Configuration, uncheck Safe boot, then click OK and restart to return to normal startup.

Boot into Safe Mode when Windows 11 won’t start (black screen or boot loop)

If your PC fails to start normally a few times in a row, Windows 11 should automatically drop into the recovery environment (WinRE) on its own. From there you can still reach Safe Mode.

1. Turn your PC on. If it fails to start properly, let it try again, or turn it off and on again when it gets stuck.
2. After a few failed attempts, you should see Automatic Repair preparing, followed by a Choose an option screen.
3. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
4. Click Restart.
5. Press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, or 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

If your PC doesn’t reach the recovery screen on its own, you can also boot from Windows 11 installation media (a USB drive created with the Media Creation Tool) and choose Repair your computer on the setup screen, then follow the same Troubleshoot path.

If it doesn’t work

Shift + Restart doesn’t bring up the recovery menu

Make sure you’re holding Shift before you click Restart, not after. Some keyboards, especially wireless ones, can also be slow to register the key press during a restart. Try using Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup instead.

The Startup Settings option isn’t listed under Advanced options

On some PCs, you may need to select See more recovery options within the Advanced options screen to find Startup Settings. If it’s still missing, booting from installation media and using Repair your computer is a reliable backup plan.

Safe Mode doesn’t fix the problem

Safe Mode is for diagnosis, not a permanent fix. If your PC still crashes or behaves oddly, try removing or rolling back a recently installed driver or app while in Safe Mode, then restart normally to see if the issue is gone.

You can’t log in even in Safe Mode

If your usual password doesn’t work, double check Caps Lock and your keyboard layout. If you genuinely can’t sign in, you may need to use your Microsoft account recovery options or a local administrator account set up previously.

The PC is stuck in Safe Mode after troubleshooting

If you used msconfig to turn on Safe boot, remember it stays on until you turn it off. Open System Configuration again, go to the Boot tab, uncheck Safe boot, then restart.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking?

Plain Safe Mode loads Windows with only essential drivers and no internet access, which is useful for isolating software conflicts. Safe Mode with Networking does the same but also enables your network drivers, so you can download drivers, updates, or removal tools while troubleshooting.

Can I boot into Safe Mode without a keyboard shortcut?

Yes. The Startup Settings screen lets you either press the number key or the matching function key (for example, 4 or F4) to pick Safe Mode, so either option works the same way.

Does Safe Mode delete any files or settings?

No. Safe Mode doesn’t remove files, apps, or settings. It simply starts Windows with a reduced set of drivers and background programs so you can troubleshoot more easily.

How do I get out of Safe Mode in Windows 11?

If you entered Safe Mode through the Startup Settings menu, just restart your PC and it will boot normally again. If you turned on Safe boot in System Configuration (msconfig), you need to go back in, uncheck Safe boot on the Boot tab, and restart.

Why would I need Safe Mode on Windows 11?

Safe Mode is useful when a recent driver, app, or update is causing crashes, freezes, or startup problems, since it helps you figure out whether the issue comes from something you installed. It’s also commonly used when running malware scans, since fewer programs are running in the background.

Related guides

• How To Stop Teams Loading Up After Logging In
• How to Disable OneDrive on Windows 10 and 11
• How to Remove OneDrive from Your PC

Sources

• Windows Documentation (Microsoft Learn)
• Windows client documentation (Microsoft Learn)