Users who are running later versions of Windows will get different options for different versions of Safe Mode. For example, you may have options for “Safe Mode”, “Safe Mode with Networking”, and “Safe Mode with Command Prompt.” Below is a brief description of each of these different modes.

1. Safe Mode
   The basic Safe Mode option is usually what most users will want to choose when troubleshooting their computer. This is the most basic Safe Mode option and has no additional support.
2. Safe Mode with Networking
   For users needing access to the Internet or the network they’re connected to while in Safe Mode, users may want to choose this option. This mode is helpful for when you need to be in Safe Mode to troubleshoot, but also need access to the Internet so you can get updates, drivers, or other files to help troubleshoot your issue.
3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt
   This Safe Mode allows you to have access to the command line (MS-DOS prompt).

Often when users encounter problems that prohibit Microsoft Windows from operating normally, they’re instructed to enter Safe Mode. This altered version of Windows allows users to correct issues so their computer will start properly. The following list contains the differences between starting Windows normally and booting it into Safe Mode.

Key changes in Safe Mode

• Most device drivers are not loaded upon startup, only those essential for primary function.
• Windows loads in VGA graphics mode with a smaller color palette and resolution.
• The words “Safe Mode” are printed in all four corners of the screen.
• Safe Mode does not run many files including autoexec.bat and config.sys.
• In Safe Mode, Windows tests the extended memory before loading.
• Instead of using the standard system.ini file, Windows boots using a batch file called system.cb that allows Windows to communicate with system hardware via Virtual Device Drivers.

Tip: If you are running Safe Mode because you cannot get into Windows, you may want to first try loading the last known good configuration.

To get into the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Safe Mode, as the computer is booting, press and hold your “F8 Key”, which should bring up the “Choose Advanced Options” screen as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to “Safe Mode” and press your Enter key.

Note: With some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting, you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the “F8 key”, tap the “F8 key” continuously until you get the startup menu.

Trouble Getting into Safe mode – If after several attempts you are unable to get the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen to come up by pressing F8, turn off your computer while it is loading into Windows. When the computer is turned on the next time, Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.

Once you’re done in Safe Mode, if you want to get back into normal Windows, restart the computer like you normally would and let it start up normally.

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Another option for accessing Safe Mode in Windows 7 or Windows Vista is to do the following:

1. Press the Windows key and the R key together to access the “Run” option.
2. Type msconfig in the “Open” field.
3. In the “System Configuration” window, click on the Boot tab.
4. On the bottom left, in the “Boot options” section, check the box for Safe boot.
5. Select the Minimal option and click the OK button.
6. Restart the computer and it should load into Safe Mode automatically.

   

Note: If you use the above option to access Safe Mode, you need to follow the same steps once in Safe Mode and uncheck the Safe boot option. Otherwise, your computer will continue to automatically boot into Safe Mode each time you restart the computer.