How to start Windows in Safe Mode (Part 1 )

Introduction

Windows Safe Mode is a way of
 booting up your Windows operating system in order to run administrative and diagnostic tasks on your installation. When you boot into Safe Mode the operating system only loads the bare minimum of software that is required for the operating system to work. This mode of operating is designed to let you troubleshoot and run diagnostics on your computer. Windows Safe Mode loads a basic video drivers so your programs may look different than normal.


For Win98/ME, XP, Vista and Windows 7 there are two methods of booting into Safe Mode, while 95 and 2000 only have one. We will describe these methods below:
F8 - By pressing the F8 key right when Windows starts, usually right after you hear your computer beep when you reboot it, you will be brought to a menu where you can choose to boot into safe mode. If it does not work on the first try, reboot and try again as you have to be quick when you press it. I have found that during boot up right after the computer shows you all the equipment , memory, etc installed on your computer, if you start lightly tapping the F8 key you will usually be able to get to the desired menu.
System Configuration Utility - You can use the System Configuration Utility found in Windows 98, ME, XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 to make Windows boot into Safe Mode on the next reboot. We will go into specific details in the sections below.
Windows 95
Windows 95 can only boot into Safe Mode using the F8 method as it does not have a System Configuration Utility.
Using the F8 Method:



1. Restart your computer.


2. When the machine first starts it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. When it is finished with that it will say "Starting Windows 95". Immediately after seeing "Starting Windows 95" press the F8 key.


3. You will now be presented with a menu. Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.


4. Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.


5. Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.
 
Windows 98/ME
NOTE: Windows ME may look slightly different than what is shown in the images below. You should still have no problem following along.


Using the F8 Method:
1. Restart your computer.

2. When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a menu.

3.When you have the menu on the screen. Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.

4. Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.

5. Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

Using the System Configuration Tool Method:
Step 1: Close all programs so that you have nothing open and are at the desktop.
Step 2: Click on the Start button then click on Run.
Step 3: In the Run field type msconfig as shown in the image below.

Step 4: Press the OK button and the System Configuration Utility will start up. You will then see a screen similar to Figure 2 below.

Step 5: You should now press the Advanced button designated by the red box in the figure above and you will see a screen similar to figure 3 below.

Step 6: Place a checkmark in the checkbox labeled "Enable Startup Menu" designated by the red box in Figure 3 above. Then press the OK button and then the OK button again. Windows 98/ME will now prompt if you would like to reboot as shown in Figure 4 below.

Step 7: Press the Yes button and your computer will restart into Safe Mode.

Step 8: When the computer boots up perform what diagnostic or troubleshooting tasks you require.

Step 9: When you are finished with these tasks, complete steps 1-7 again, but in Step 6 this time uncheck the checkbox labeled "Enable Startup Menu".
Step 10: Reboot the computer back into normal mode.