Start Windows in Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads Windows with the bare minimum. If a problem disappears in Safe Mode, an app or driver is the likely cause.

If your PC uses BitLocker, you may be asked for the recovery key. Have it ready: see Find your BitLocker recovery key.

Symptoms

Use Safe Mode when:

• Windows crashes or freezes soon after startup.
• A new app or driver caused problems and you can’t remove it normally.

Fix

Option A: from Settings (Windows starts)

1. Windows 11: Settings › System › Recovery, then Restart now beside Advanced startup. Windows 10: Settings › Update & Security › Recovery › Advanced startup › Restart now.
2. After the restart, choose Troubleshoot › Advanced options › Startup Settings › Restart.
3. Press 4 (or F4) for Safe Mode, or 5 (F5) for Safe Mode with Networking.

Option B: from the sign-in screen

Hold Shift while you select Power › Restart, then follow steps 2–3 above.

Option C: Windows won’t start at all

If Windows fails to start twice in a row, it opens the recovery screen automatically. Choose Advanced options, then follow steps 2–3 above.

While in Safe Mode

• Uninstall the most recent app: Settings › Apps › Installed apps.
• Roll back a driver: Device Manager › right-click the device › Properties › Driver › Roll Back Driver.

To leave Safe Mode

Restart normally.

If that didn’t work

From the same Advanced options screen, try Uninstall Updates (latest quality update) or System Restore.

When to call us

• The PC is a work device with company data. We may be able to fix it remotely without the risk of data loss.
• You can’t reach the recovery screen at all.