How To Boot Into Safe Mode In Windows 11 Or Windows 10 | Dell UK

Note: Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. See our Microsoft Windows 10 End of Support Announcement for more information.

How to boot into Safe Mode with Networking

Duration: 0:50 Closed captions: English only

Safe Mode starts Windows in a basic state, and uses a limited set of files and drivers. If a problem does not happen in Safe Mode, it means that the default settings and basic device drivers do not cause the problem. Observing Windows in Safe Mode enables you to narrow down the source of a problem, and can help you troubleshoot problems on your computer.

There are three different types of Safe Mode boot options that are available in the Advanced Boot Options:

1. Safe Mode: Starts Windows with the minimum of drivers and services possible
2. Safe Mode with Networking: It is the same as Safe Mode, but adds the network drivers and services you must access the Internet and other computers on your network (You also use this mode if you use devices such as a USB flash drive) NOTE: Wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet connection is not supported in safe mode with networking.
3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt: It is the same as Safe Mode but the Command Prompt as the user interface instead of the windows desktop Graphical User Interface (UI)

NOTE: The Windows installer service is disabled in Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Applications cannot be installed or uninstalled in these two modes.

In Safe Mode, Windows has reduced functionality. The task of isolating problems is easier since many nonessential components are disabled, such as sound, third-party drivers and services, nonessential Windows services, and more. Corrupt software, drivers, or the installation of poorly configured software prevents Windows from successfully booting into normal mode.

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Boot into Safe Mode from Windows 11 or Windows 10

1. Press the Windows + I on the keyboard to open Settings.
   • If that does not work, click Start and then select Settings.
2. Click Update & Security, and on the left pane select Recovery.
3. Under Advanced Startup, click Restart Now.
4. After the computer restarts, on the Choose an Option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
5. After the computer restarts, a list of options appears. Select 4 or F4 to start the computer in Safe Mode. If you must use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Boot into Safe Mode from the sign-in screen in Windows 11 or Windows 10

1. Restart the computer.
2. At the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down and then click Power > Restart.
3. After the computer restarts to the Choose an Option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
4. After the computer restarts, a list of options should appear. Select 4 or F4 to start the computer in Safe Mode. If you must use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Boot into Safe Mode from outside of Windows 11 or Windows 10

Windows 11 and Windows 10 automatically boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) if Windows fails to start three times in a row. Three consecutive failed attempts trigger this action. Booting to Safe Mode outside of Windows is achieved in the WinRE.

To force your computer to enter the recovery environment, follow these steps

• Turn Off Your Computer: Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds to turn off your computer.
• Turn On and Interrupt Boot: Turn on the computer. When you see the Windows logo, press and hold the power button to turn it off. Repeat this again. On the third try, let it fully restart.

Follow these steps to enter Safe Mode from the WinRE:

1. At the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
2. At the Troubleshoot screen, select Advanced Options.
3. At the Advanced Options screen, select Advanced Startup Options.
4. Select Startup Settings.
5. Select Restart.
6. The computer restarts and enters the Startup Settings menu. Select 4 or F4 to start the computer in Safe Mode. If you must use the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Note: If you are having trouble entering the WinRE environment, you may be having storage driver issues. You may want to defer to Microsoft's own instructions for this issue:

• It is possible to add a driver to the offline WinRE.wim image using the correct Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) commands. You can find further information about this on the following article by Microsoft:
  • KB5042429: New recovery tool to help with CrowdStrike issue impacting Windows devices - Microsoft Support . (English Link)
• The latest version of the Intel Rapid Storage (IRST) driver updates the correct storage driver for the WinRE environment. Add the driver pack for the greatest compatibility:
  • Dell Command | Deploy WinPE Driver Packs.