6 Ways to Start Windows 11 in Safe Mode

If you are using Windows 11 and just encountered some issues with it then this article is for you.  If any app or software is not working on your Windows 11 then you have to try a safe mode. In Safe mode, you can repair damaged tools or software. In case, you want to repair or solve the issue, you have to access safe mode in Windows 10 & 11. There is no direct option to enable or open Windows 11 in safe mode. You have to follow some steps to start Windows 11 in safe mode.

How Does Safe Mode Look Like?

Safe mode is just like normal Windows mode but you can’t access other advanced features and apps. You can only use essential drivers and services in Windows 11 safe mode.

The only problem with Windows 11 is, that Microsoft has changed the way we access Windows safe mode. Old ways like F8 or Shift + F8 won’t work with Windows 11. You have to enable UEFI first to boot into safe mode.

How to Start Windows 11 in Safe Mode

Here are some working methods to start Windows 11 in Safe mode.

Method 1. Open safe mode with Shift + Restart

You can use the Windows shortcut to open safe mode. If you can’t sign in to your computer then on the lock screen follow these steps:

Step 1: First press and hold the shift key on your keyboard.

Step 2: Then Click on the power button while pressing the shift button.

Step 3: And then click on the restart button below the shutdown menu.

Your Windows will restart and you will see this screen.

Step 4: Click on the “Troubleshoot” from the available option on your screen.

Step 5: Now from the Advanced options and Reset this PC option, you choose Advanced options.

Step 6: Now you will see Advanced options. From all the available options, find and click on the See more recovery options and then click on startup settings.

Step 7: If you can’t find  See more recovery options then directly click on the Startup Settings.

Step 8: Now here find the restart button and click on it.

Step 9: After restarting, you will see various boot options which you can enable by using your keyboard’s keys.

• To Enable Safe Mode, press the F4 key or the 4 number key.
• To Enable Safe Mode with Networking, press the F5 key or the 5 number key.
• To Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt, press the F6 key or the 6 number key.

Once you selected options, your system will boot into safe mode.

Now you can fix the issue.

Method 2. Open Windows Safe mode by Stopping Normal Boot

Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in system that automatically triggers safe mode if the normal boot process failed. After 3 failed attempts, when your PC tries to boot, it automatically does not on to safe mode. So you have to force stop your normal boot process in Windows 11 for 3 times continuously. To do this, when Windows is starting, press the physical restart button or power button to stop the process. Press the power button for 5 to 10 seconds to shut down your computer.

Step 1: When you repeat this step 3 times, your system will automatically boot your PC into safe mode.

Step 2: You will see the automatic repair option. That means your Windows will start into safe mode.

Wait for some time and you will see this Windows 11 diagnoses your PC screen.

Step 3: Once finished, you will see this automatic repair window. Here find the Advanced options and then click on it.

Step 4: On the next screen, find and click on the troubleshoot option.

Step 5: Now from the Advanced options and Reset this PC option, you choose Advanced options.

Step 6: Now you will see Advanced options. From all the available options, find and click on the See more recovery options and then click on startup settings.

Step 7: If you can’t find  See more recovery options then directly click on the Startup Settings.

Step 8: Now here find the restart button and click on it.

Step 9: After restarting, you will see various boot options which you can enable by using your keyboard’s keys.

• Enable Safe Mode, press the F4 key or the 4 number key.
• Enable Safe Mode with Networking, press the F5 key or the 5 number key.
• Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt, press the F6 key or the 6 number key.

Method 3. Enable Safe Mode using a DVD or USB installation drive and CMD

You can also boot into safe mode using a USB or DVD installation drive. For this, you will need an ISO file of Windows 11. So make a bootable media first and then follow these steps:

Step 1: Insert your bootable media into your PC and then boot your PC from a USB drive.

Step 2: Then select your language, and time, and then select keyboard style.

Step 3: Click on Next.

Step 4: On the next screen, find the repair of your computer opinion in the bottom-left corner.

Step 5: Now click on the Troubleshoot option from the list.

Step 6: In the Advanced option, find Command Prompt option from the list and click on it.

Step 7: In the CMD window, enter the following command and press enter.

bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal

If you see The operation completed successfully option then it’s done. Close command prompt.

Step 8: Click on the continue button and follow the on-screen instructions to boot into safe mode.

Wait for your computer to restart into Safe Mode.

Step 9: Once your issue is fixed, you have to disable the option. To do this, open the command prompt using the above 1 to 7 steps and then run this command.

bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot

Once done, restart your computer.

Method 4: Use Windows 11 Settings app to open Safe Mode

You can use Windows 11 settings app to boot into safe mode. Microsoft has added a new feature in Windows 11. Here is how to use it:

Step 1: First open Windows 11 settings with Windows + I button on your keyboard.

Step 2: Find the system in the left sidebar and then click on it.

Step 3: In the right sidebar, find the recovery option.

Step 4: In the recovery options, find the restart now button near Advanced startup.

Step 5: Then again click on the restart now button in the alert box.

When restarting, you have to follow all the steps again mentioned in method 1.

Related Posts:

• How to Turn On Secure Boot for Windows 11 Installation
• How to Delete Windows.old folder in Windows 11
• How to Find What is Running in Windows 11

Final Words

If you are facing issues with your Windows system and are unable to fix them then Safe mode is the only option to find the cause and fix the issue. You can easily access Safe mode using the above step.