How to Start Windows 11 in Safe Mode (All Methods)

In case your Home windows 11 is behaving in an undesirable means attributable to problematic drivers, cussed malware, or mysterious crashes, “Secure Mode” perform turns into your digital lifeline. Due to this mode, we are able to load Home windows with minimal drivers to create a diagnostic atmosphere that features solely the necessities, serving to you troubleshoot issues that may in any other case depart your laptop unusable.

In contrast to common Home windows startup, Secure Mode deliberately skips third-party drivers, startup packages, and non-critical companies, making a clear plan for troubleshooting. Whether or not you possibly can nonetheless use Home windows usually otherwise you’re fully locked out, there is a secure mode entry methodology that may work on your state of affairs.

Strategies to begin Home windows 11 in secure mode – We are going to talk about them on this tutorial:

methodology	Finest for	Home windows entry is required	Issue
Settings menu	Deliberate troubleshooting	sure	simply
Shift + Restart	The system won’t boot usually	Partial	simply
System configuration (msconfig)	Fast entry from the login display screen	sure	simply
Home windows Restoration Setting	The system won’t boot usually	No.	Medium
Command line (bcdedit)	Superior customers, boot cycle tweaks	No.	Superior

What’s Secure Mode and when must you use it?

Secure Mode masses Home windows 11 with minimal drivers and companies—simply sufficient to run the working system. Consider it as Home windows stripped right down to the within: no fancy graphics drivers, no startup apps, simply the important parts wanted to perform.

You will need to boot into secure mode when:

• You might be uninstalling problematic software program that won’t be eliminated usually
• Rolling again driver updates is inflicting blue screens
• Eradicating cussed malware or viruses
• Diagnosing system crashes or freezes
• Repair boot cycles after Home windows updates
• Remedy community connection issues (Secure Mode with Networking)

Know extra – Create bootable USB with media creation instrument (not Rufus!)

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Methodology 1: Home windows 11 Secure Mode through Settings (Regular Boot)

That is the most secure methodology when Home windows 11 is working usually. If you’ll be able to entry your system and Home windows then comply with the given steps:

1. In your Home windows 11 system, press Home windows key + I to open Settings.
2. From the left sidebar, click on on system to open different out there associated choices.
3. Scroll down and choose restoration from the choices.

4. As soon as you might be within the restoration settings window, you must discover Superior begin possibility.
5. Click on Restart now out there subsequent to Superior Startup.

5. When requested, “We are going to restart your machine, so save your work”, click on resumes now.
6. After a restart, choose Fixing issues.

6. Within the Troubleshoot window, click on Superior choices, and after that, from the various entries, select Startup settings

7. Click on resumes button,

7. CLICK 4 OR F4 for secure mode (or 5/F5 for secure mode with networking)
   • F1 for Allow Debugging
   • F2 for Allow boot recording
   • F3 for Allow low decision video
   • F4 for Allow Secure Mode
   • F5 for Allow Secure Mode with Networking
   • F6 for Allow Secure Mode with Command Immediate
   • F7 to Disable Driver Signing
   • F8 to Disable anti-malware safety for early startup
   • F9 for Disable automated restart after failure

This methodology works reliably as a result of it correctly indicators Home windows to arrange for restart sequence, guaranteeing that every one working functions shut gracefully.

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Methodology 2: Shift + Restart

This methodology is for these customers who can totally log in to their Home windows 11 PC or laptop computer, however can nonetheless attain the login display screen.

1. On the Home windows 11 login display screen, click on The facility icon
2. Hold Switching as you click on resumes

3. bear holding Switching till you see”please wait”

4. Choose Fixing issues > Superior choices > Startup settings
5. Click on resumes
6. CLICK 4 OR F4 for secure mode

This methodology additionally works internally The home windows– simply maintain Switching throughout choice resumes BY Begin of the menu energy the choices.

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Methodology 3: System Configuration (msconfig)

Ideally suited for repeated entry to secure mode throughout extended troubleshooting.

1. CLICK Home windows + R to open the Run dialog
2. Enterprise msconfig and press Enter
3. Navigate to Boots ENTRY
4. take a look at Secure boot UNDER “Launch Choices”
5. Choose:
   • minimal for normal secure mode
   • The community for secure mode with networking
   • Different shells just for Secure Mode with Command Immediate
6. Click on OK AND resumes

Essential: Home windows will proceed in addition into secure mode till you reverse these steps. Remember to pick out “Secure boot” when you find yourself completed troubleshooting.

Tutorial video

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Methodology 4: Home windows Restoration Setting

In case Home windows 11 is unable to begin usually, to get Secure extra, we are able to pressure Restoration Setting.

1. Begin your individual PC/laptop computer and pressure shut when the Home windows emblem seems (press and maintain energy button for 10 seconds)
2. Repeat this course of 2-3 occasions
3. Within the third restartHome windows will enter “Preparation aUTOMATIC Restore“
4. Choose Superior choices when Auto Restore seems
5. Choose Fixing issues > Superior choices > Startup settings
6. Click on resumes
7. CLICK 4 OR F4 for secure mode

Whereas this “launch abort” methodology feels crude, Microsoft designed it as a fail-safe for methods that will not begin usually.

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Methodology 5: Utilizing bcdedit by way of Command Immediate

For superior customers comfy with command line instruments:

1. Entrys Home windows Restoration Setting (Methodology 4STEPS 1-4)
2. Choose Fixing issues > Superior choices > Command Immediate
3. To allow Secure Mode on the subsequent boot, sort:

bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal

4. ABOUT Secure Mode with networking:

bcdedit /set {default} safeboot community

5. Sort `exit`and restart
6. For later deactivate Secure mode from Command Immediate:

bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot

WARNING!: Incorrect use of bcdedit can make Home windows unbootable. Double-check instructions earlier than execution.

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Exiting secure mode

To return to regular Home windows operation:

1. CLICK Home windows + R
2. Enterprise msconfig and press Enter
3. IN Boots tab, deselect it Secure boot
4. Click on OK and restart

Alternatively, restart your laptop when you entered secure mode by way of Settings or Shift + Restart— these strategies don’t persist throughout reboots.

What to do whereas in secure mode

As soon as in secure mode, prioritize these troubleshooting duties:

• Uninstall just lately added packages through Settings > Functions
• Replace or roll again the drivers by way of System Supervisor
• Run Home windows Safety’s full malware scan
• Run the system file checker: sfc /scannow in Command Immediate (admin)
• Test the occasion viewer for essential errors
• Disable problematic startup packages by way of Activity Supervisor

Troubleshoot secure mode boot failures

If secure mode will not load:

• Attempt Secure Mode with Command Immediate as a substitute (fewer parts fail)
• Boot from the Home windows 11 set up media and run Startup Restore
• Test disk well being with chkdsk C: /f /r from the Restoration Command Immediate
• Think about doing a System Restore to an earlier level
• As a final resort, restore Home windows 11 whereas saving private information

Often requested questions

References and additional studying