In a continuing effort to help people fix some of their own simple computer problems, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about Windows safe mode, how to enter it and how to use it. Safe mode is a feature of Windows that allows users to enter the operating system without having to worry about non-system processes starting; only the bare minimum is started and in most cases this means that viruses and other malware do not get to run. This can be a great way to eliminate these threats from your system because if they are not allowed to start with the operating system they are a lot easier to destroy. In some cases anti-virus software will specifically tell you to boot into safe mode in order to eliminate a certain threat. So, how do you do it?
Step 1:
Restart your computer
Step 2:
As the computer begins to boot (before the initial Windows loading screen) start rapidly pressing the F8 key.
Step 3:
A boot menu will appear with a number of options available. You will see three options for safe mode; Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. For most situations, you will want to choose standard “Safe Mode”. If for some reason you think you will need access to a network or network resource you can choose Safe Mode with Networking, however this is not recommended. If you get to this point and become too nervous to continue, there is an option for you: “Start Windows Normally”. This will return you to standard Windows.
Step 4:
You will see a lot of data scrolling down your screen. Do not worry about this, this is what always happens when you start safe mode. Your system is simply showing you all of the drivers and services that are being loaded.
Step 5:
A box will appear which will basically ask you whether or not you wish to enter safe mode and inform you of the dangers associated with it. Accept or reject accordingly.
Step 6:
Assuming you didn’t tap out during the previous step, you should now be in safe mode. This will be signified by a box in each corner of the screen reading “Safe Mode”. From here, you can log into Windows and run or re-run any protective software (virus scan, spyware scan, etc). In most cases you will be more successful in deleting problem files and threats from your system.
Step 7:
Restart your system and let it boot normally. Congrats you have now entered safe mode and successfully gotten back out of it and into standard Windows! You are one step closer to being a computer wiz!
Technorati Tags: windows safe mode, safe mode, F8, start safe mode, use safe mode, boot safe mode
Share This
