How to Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode

   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 will show you how to start Windows 8 in Safe Mode.

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

EXAMPLE: Windows 8 in Safe Mode

OPTION ONE

Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode from Windows Boot Manager

1. For how, see: How to Add "Safe Mode" to Windows Boot Manager in Windows 8

OPTION TWO

Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode from Advanced Boot Options

1. Boot to the Advanced Boot Options menu, and select the Safe Mode option you would like to start Windows 8 in. (see screenshot below)

OPTION THREE

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

1. Open the Charms bar, and click 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)

3. If prompted by UAC, then click 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

This will set Windows 8 to always start in Safe Mode until you set it to boot back in normal mode in step 6 below.

A) Click on the Boot tab, select Windows 8 (ex: Windows Developer Preview), check the Safe boot box and select (dot) Minimal, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) Click on Restart. (see screenshot below)

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 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 on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) Click on Yes. (see screenshot below)

C) Click on Restart. (see screenshot below)

D) The computer will now restart, and start Windows 8 in Normal Mode after logging in.

OPTION FOUR

Using BCDEDIT Command in a Command Prompt

1. Open either a elevated command prompt or a command prompt at boot.

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

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

C) Go to step 7.

7. Restart the computer.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

• How to Add "Safe Mode" to Windows Boot Manager in Windows 8
• How to Boot to the "Advanced Boot Options" Menu in Windows 8
• How to Boot to the "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8
• How to Refresh Windows 8