Safe Mode - Start Windows 8 in

How to Start Windows 8 and 8.1 in Safe Mode


information   Information
Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows 8 that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows 8 are started. The words Safe Mode appears in the corners of your monitor to identify which Windows mode you are using.

This tutorial will show you how to start Windows 8 and 8.1 in Safe Mode.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

Note   Note
If you have a problem with your PC, you can troubleshoot by starting it in safe mode. Safe mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. If a problem doesn't reappear when you start your PC in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers and services as possible causes.

There are three different safe mode options:

  • Enable Safe Mode: Starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services.
  • Enable Safe Mode with Networking: Starts Windows in safe mode and includes the network drivers and services needed to access the Internet or other computers on your network.
  • Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Starts Windows in safe mode with a Command Prompt window instead of the usual Windows interface. This option is intended for IT pros and system admins.


CONTENTS:

  • Option One: Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode from Windows Boot Manager
  • Option Two: Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode from Advanced "Startup Settings"
  • Option Three: Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode from "Advanced Boot Options"
  • Option Four: Start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode" or "Normal Mode" from MSCONFIG
  • Option Five: Using BCDEDIT Command in a Command Prompt

EXAMPLE: Windows 8 in Safe Mode
Safe-Mode.jpg






OPTION ONE

Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode from Windows Boot Manager







OPTION TWO

Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode from Advanced "Startup Settings"


1. Boot to Advanced Windows "Startup Settings", and select a (F4-F6) Safe Mode option that you would like to start Windows 8 in. (see screenshot below)​
Startup_Settings.jpg
2. Type in an administrator's password to sign in as, and press Enter or click/tap on the arrow. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you like, you can click on the back arrow (top left) to select another administrator account to sign in as instead.​
password.jpg





OPTION THREE

Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode from "Advanced Boot Options"


1. Press the Shift + F8 keys during boot for the Advanced Boot Options, and select a Safe Mode option that you would like to start Windows 8 in. (see screenshot below)​
Advanced_Boot_Options.jpg





OPTION FOUR

Start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode" or "Normal Mode" from MSCONFIG


1. Open the Charmsbar, and click/tap on Search.​
NOTE: You could also press the Windows+F keys to open Search.​
2. In the right pane, type msconfig in the Search Apps box, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)​
msconfig-1.jpg
3. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​
4. Do step 5 or 6 below depending if Windows 8 is in "Safe Mode" or "Normal Mode".​
5. To Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode
warning   Warning
If you check the Make all boot settings permanent box, then it will set Windows 8 to always start in Safe Mode until you set it to boot back in normal mode in step 6 below.

warning   Warning

A) Click/tap on the Boot tab, select Windows 8 (ex: Windows Developer Preview), check the Safe boot box and select (dot) Minimal, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
msconfig-2.jpg
B) Click/tap on Restart. (see screenshot below)​
msconfig-3.jpg
C) The computer will now restart, and start Windows 8 in Safe Mode after logging in.​
6. To Start Windows 8 in Normal Mode
NOTE: This step is only if Windows 8 is in Safe Mode from step 5 above, and you want to restart Windows 8 back in Normal Mode.​
A) Click/tap on the Boot tab, select Windows 8 (ex: Windows Developer Preview), uncheck the Safe boot box, check the Make all boot settings permanent box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​
msconfig-4.jpg
B) Click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)​
CMD-4.jpg
C) Click/tap on Restart. (see screenshot below)​
msconfig-3.jpg
D) The computer will now restart, and start Windows 8 in Normal Mode after logging in.​







OPTION FIVE

Using BCDEDIT Command in a Command Prompt


2. In the command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: Under the Windows Boot Loader sections, make note of the identifier value (ex: {current}) for the OS description (ex: Windows 8 Consumer Preview) that you want to use in steps 4, 5, or 6 below.​
bcdedit /enum
CMD.jpg

3. Do either step 4, 5, or 6 below for what you would like to do.​
4. To Start in Safe Mode
A) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.​
NOTE: Substitute identifier in the command below with the actual value or long GUID number to the right of identifer in the command used from step 2.​
bcdedit /set {identifier} safeboot minimal
For example: If I wanted to have Windows 8 Consumer Preview boot into Safe Mode using the values in the screenshot under step 2, I would type this command below and press Enter.​
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal

B) Go to step 7.​

5. To Start in Safe Mode with Networking
A) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.​
NOTE: Substitute identifier in the command below with the actual value or long GUID number to the right of identifer in the command used from step 2.​
bcdedit /set {identifier} safeboot network
For example: If I wanted to have Windows 8 Consumer Preview boot into Safe Mode with networking using the values in the screenshot under step 2, I would type this command below and press Enter.​
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot network

B) Go to step 7.​

6. To Start Windows 8 back in Normal Mode
A) From step 2, look for the identifier (ex: {current}) for the OS description (ex: Windows 8 Consumer Preview) under a Windows Boot Loader section that has the safeboot value in it.​
B) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.​
NOTE: Substitute identifier in the command below with the actual value or long GUID number to the right of identifer in the command used from step 2.​
bcdedit /deletevalue {identifier} safeboot
For example: If I wanted to have Windows 8 Consumer Preview not boot into Safe Mode anymore, I would type this command below and press Enter.​
bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
Note   Note
If you are currently in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, then you will also need to type the command below, and press Enter.

Note   Note

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safebootalternateshell


C) Go to step 7.​

7. Restart the computer.​



That's it,
Shawn



 

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My Computer

System One

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    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
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    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
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    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
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    NI Kore controller;
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    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
I have a Gateway SX series computer.

I can press F-5 at boot-up & boot to Safe Mode.

Once there I can get a CMD Prompt.

Just thought this might be of interest. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
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    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
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    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
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    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
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    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
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    Instruction
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    Opera 24.0
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    Avast Internet Security
I am having similar problems with 2 identical laptops and a member has suggested starting in safe mode.

The problems are that each laptop will freeze randomly, at which point it is impossible to access Task Manager and it is often necessary to power down the laptop. Sometimes the Event log has lots of warnings and errors, other times there is little or nothing there, but it feels like the problems may have some sort of internet connectivity issue involved as it is usually something internet related that is the first sign of the freeze.

But the problem is intermittent (though becoming quite regular), so would need monitoring over several days.

Looking at your tutorial, could I choose Safe Boot/Network (instead of minimal) in msconfig to set the laptops to automatically boot in safe mode but with internet capability?

Or is there a better way to monitor this or try and get to the root of the problem? I do have a thread related to this, but the safe mode option is the only suggestion so far :(.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
Hello Maggi,

Yes, you sure can to boot into Safe Mode with network. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks Shawn.

Here's hoping that this may help to identify or eliminate suspects :D.

Edit: I can use the internet but my taskbar icon has a red cross suggesting there is a problem. Is this normal in safe mode?
Also, it seems it isn't possible to have realtime AV running in safe mode :(. Again, is this normal?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
It's normal for the AV, but the network icon is just a graphical glitch that sometimes happens and 's nothing to worry about.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hmm, followed Option 4 of the tutorial which I thought would mean I would always start up automatically in safe mode, but I just switched on and it went straight into normal mode :(.

When choosing safe mode on the boot tab, there is an 'Apply' option, but the tutorial doesn't mention this, just says to click 'Okay'. Could this be why it didn't do what I expected it to?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
Clicking on On or Apply basically does the same thing. The difference is that Apply will apply the changes and leave the window open, and On will apply the changes and close the window.

Double check that you had checked the Make all boot settings permanent box in msconfig to make it stick. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
You don't actually mention clicking on that option in the tutorial when you start safe mode, just when you want to return to normal mode.

And I assume that warning message about making the changes permanent if you choose that option doesn't mean you can't EVER change them again? I would hate to be stuck in safe mode - can't play any videos on the interweb :(:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
Nar, when you do step 6A in Option Four, it will undo it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
So you need to check the 'Make Settings Permanent' box to automatically start in safe mode, then again, to change back to automatically starting in normal mode then?

You might want to have a look at Step 5 of Option 4, and compare the boot tab screenshot there to the one in Step 6. The first doesn't say anything about checking the box, or show it checked, while the second does.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
The check box is only if you want it to always stay set to boot in the mode you selected.

If you don't check the box when selecting to boot into Safe Mode, then it'll only boot into Safe Mode that one time, and then boot to Windows the next time.

That's why I only included to check the box when selecting to boot into Windows (normal mode) to make sure it stays that way in case someone checked the box to select to always boot into Safe Mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks Shawn. I did find it confusing, because at Step 5 of Option 4 you have this:

safemode.PNG

which I assumed meant that following these instructions (that don't include checking the Make all boot settings permanent box) DID mean that I would automatically start in Safe Mode :eek:. Oh well, I understand better now.

Something that happened in Safe Mode has got me a bit confused though (as opposed to my general confusion :D). I was logged in to my normal account that has Admin rights. I tried to open a Store App (Microsoft Sudoku) and got a message saying the Built In Admin account could not open Store Apps. I've also just been reading a thread that says you can't install programs in Safe Mode but I did (and uninstalled them too).

Any idea what was happening? Was I automatically logged into the Built In Admin account when I chose Safe Mode?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
You can install and uninstall desktop apps in Safe Mode, but not modern Store apps. Modern apps will not work when signed in to an elevated account like the built-in Administrator.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
You can install and uninstall desktop apps in Safe Mode, but not modern Store apps. Modern apps will not work when signed in to an elevated account like the built-in Administrator.

Ok, that makes sense, and fits with what I could and couldn't do, but I wasn't logged in to the built in Administrator account, just a normal Admin account. Is this the same thing in Safe Mode?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
You might want to consider ---

WinAero: Boot UI Tuner

It gives options at boot up for Safe Mode among others.
Freeware. :)

You must choose an option or press Enter to continue booting.

I use it.
I like it.

edit--- See picture---

screenshot_197.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
You might want to consider ---

WinAero: Boot UI Tuner

It gives options at boot up for Safe Mode among others.
Freeware. :)

You must choose an option or press Enter to continue booting.

I use it.
I like it.

edit--- See picture---

View attachment 54765

Thanks David. I did look at this a few days ago as you attached a link earlier in this thread (I think, or I saw it where you'd put it someplace else). Seems like it may be a better option for me than changing the msconfig setting to automatically boot to Safe Mode, as I then have the opportunity to make the choice each time (and am less likely to forget to change it back:)). I'm not one of those people who is desperate for the laptop to boot up as quickly as possible so the additional second or two involved in using this wouldn't bother me at all.

Does it seem odd to you that when I had logged into Safe Mode on my normal Admin account I got a message related to the Built In Admin account? (see comments in my posts above)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 64bit, Windows 10 TP on VMWare Player
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    1.80 gigahertz Intel Core i5-3337U
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0010T1 A00
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio & Intel Display Audio
    Hard Drives
    TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050 [Hard drive] (500.11 GB)
    Cooling
    Additional fan
    Mouse
    Kensington Trackball
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Internet Security, Malwarebytes free & antiexploit
I have poor short term memory. :(

About the account, I do not know. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
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