Safe mode is a really great way to solve computer problems, an essential method of troubleshooting. Windows Safe mode helps us to determine a hardware or software problem easily, and in some cases could be the only way of booting up a computer system.
HOW WINDOWS SAFE MODE WORKS
Windows Safe mode runs the very limited edition of the computer. It loads a minimal (essential) set of drivers and services, no third-party applications or drivers gets loaded and only the necessary built-in windows programs get to run. Chances are most of the software problems we might encounter is as a result of third-party programs, drivers which have recently been modified or newly installed or services and others that fall into this category.
Safe-mode won’t load them up and during that time space you can enter your system and troubleshoot. Without using the safe mode method, there could be lots of difficulties in troubleshooting most software issues. Some apps could freeze the system, come could crash the system and some could be very hard to uninstall.
Your computer system should automatically start in safe mode if it crashes more than once while trying to boot normally. You can as well enter safe mode manually…
Also read: Benefits of cleaning temp files in a Windows PC
How to boot Windows into safe mode
Windows 7 and earlier: Press the f8 key while the system is booting(after the initial BIOS screen but before the windows loading screen) and then select safe boot from the menu that appears.
Windows 8: Hold the shift key while pressing restart button in the power menu or use the charm menu-> PCsettings->Advanced restart.
In Windows 10: Hold the shift key while clicking restart on the power options in the submenu of the start menu.
How to troubleshoot your PC in Windows Safe Mode
Uninstall recently installed software/ drivers: Some software and drivers may just be the culprits interfering with normal system functioning. Drivers could also be the cause of all your panicking. Its easier to solve in safe mode as programs like these are at sleep and arent functioning, you easily uninstall/update.
Scan for malware: Your system malfunctioning and crashing could also be as a result of the presence of malware in the system. Run your antivirus and run a check. That could just be your solution.
Create a system restore point: Restore system to its earlier known-good configuration. If the system was recently working perfectly, you can just revert the current situation back to the previous.
See whether system crashes: if a system is malfunctioning or crashing but works fine in safe mode. It is likely a software problem causing the PC to crash. But if it continues to crash in safe mode, chances are, its a software problem.
Although I can’t assure you of this in all cases. For example, the graphics card might be faulty and crash in normal window boot but not crash in the safe boot mode due to no much load in graphics.
Also, read: how to hack trial version of any software for a lifetime
Alternative Option: Force Windows to Start in Safe Mode Until You Tell It Not To
Sometimes, you’ll be troubleshooting something that requires you to boot into Safe Mode several times. Going through the whole procedure we’ve just outlined gets to be a real pain if you have to do it each time you restart your PC. Fortunately, there’s a better way.
The System Configuration tool built into Windows gives you the ability to enable a “safe boot” option. This essentially forces Windows to boot into Safe Mode every time you restart your PC. To start Windows normally again, you have to go back into the System Configuration tool and disable the option. You can simply do these by pressing ‘Windows key+ R’ = Run. Then enter ‘MSCONFIG’ without quotes into the box.
You can even choose the type of Safe Mode into which you want Windows to start:
Minimal: normal Safe Mode
Alternate shell: Safe Mode using only the Command Prompt
Active Directory repair: Used only for repairing an Active Directory server
Network: Safe Mode with networking support
Read also: How To Download Any Windows OS [Official ISO File]
All these steps are initiated when you can boot and enter your desktop. You may want to boot into safe mode when your system is not booting into the desktop in windows 8 and 10. We would take a look at that soon.
