When it comes to solving certain problems on our Windows 10 computer, one of the best options we have is to access the operating system in safe mode. From the windows 10 safe mode or "safe mode" we will be able to safely uninstall all kinds of problematic programs, diagnose hardware conflicts, solve driver problems and much more.
What is Windows Safe Mode?
Although all Windows users already know it, we will remind once again that safe mode (safe mode) is a handy resource with which to load the operating system when problems have occurred that could interfere with its normal operation.
That could say that it is a "back door" to access the system, try to discover the origin of the problem and, of course, try to solve it. By activating this mode, the drivers and functions of the computer are temporarily deactivated, thus making our equipment more stable. In other words, the necessary changes can be made with a certain peace of mind and security. Once the necessary corrections have been made, the system can be restarted normally. That's the idea.
However, the way to enter safe mode in Windows 10 is not as simple as it was in previous versions of Windows. It's not complicated, but it's different, and it can be confusing if you're doing it for the first time.
But before explaining how to enter safe mode in Windows 10, it is convenient to highlight some of the functions that will not be available with respect to the “normal” mode: Most device drivers will not run, neither will autoexec.bat or config.sys files. On the other hand, the appearance of the desktop is going to be quite poor, since it will only load in 16 colors and with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels.
How to boot Windows 10 in safe mode
There are two ways to access the safe mode in Windows 10. Users should be warned that at no time will we see the expression “safe mode” on the screen, no matter how safe it is. This could lead to confusion and confusion, although not if you follow the steps that we indicate here.
From windows
This is the most direct way to start Windows 10 in safe mode. The steps to follow are the following:
-
- First of all, you have to turn on the computer and start Windows in normal mode.
- Then, from the start button menu, we click on the option "Restart" while holding down the key "Shift" of our keyboard, giving way to safe mode.
- Below is a screen with several options: Continue, Troubleshoot, or Shut down. We have to choose the "Solve problems".
- Then we select "Advanced Options".
- Of the new options displayed, we choose «Start Settings», after which a list will appear with the different ways we have to start Windows. Logically, you have to select the one that corresponds to safe mode, with or without network functions.
- Finally, we press the button Reiniciar to permanently start Windows 10 in safe mode.
with msconfig
Safe mode in Windows 10 can also be accessed through the system configuration tool msconfig.exe. We can do it by running it from the control Panel or through the key combination Windows + R. Then you have to follow these steps:
- Once the system configurator is open, go to the option "Start".
- There we activate "Safe Boot" choosing the options that we want.
- After this, you just have to reboot the system, which will start in safe mode.
How to get out of safe mode Windows 10
If we have been able to identify and solve the problems that we needed to solve from Windows 10 safe mode, there is no point in staying in it. It's time to return to normal operation. What needs to be done to get out of safe mode? There are two methods:
with msconfig
If we have used this method to enter safe mode, logic dictates that we resort to it again to deactivate it. It is done like this:
- We press the keys Windows + R on the keyboard, we type msconfig in the Run window and press Enter.
- In the next window that appears, we click on the download tab.
- Then we proceed to uncheck the box "Safe Mode".
- Finally, we click on «Accept» and restart the computer.
After this, Windows 10 should restart normally.
With the command line
This is the most effective way to get out of safe mode in Windows 10. Here are the steps to follow:
- First you have to run the command line as administrator. There are two ways to do it:
- With the keys Windows + R writing cmd in the box and pressing «Enter».
- Typing cmd on the task bar and then right-click to select the option "Execute as an administrator".
- On the command line, we enter the following command: bcdedit / deletevalue {default} safeboot and press Enter.*
- To finish, we restart the computer, after which we will return to normal Windows 10 mode.
(*) As an alternative, you can also use the command bcdedit / deletevalue {current} safeboot