What to Know

• From the Startmenu or login screen: PressPower, then holdShiftwhile pressingRestart.
• Alternatively, go toSettings>System>Recovery>Restart nowto launch Advanced Startup Options.
• Then, go toTroubleshoot>Advanced options>Startup Settings>Restart.Choose a Safe Mode option.

This article explains all the different ways to reboot Windows 11 into Safe Mode.

Use the Shift Key to Get to Safe Mode

If your computer works well enough that you're able to open and navigate menus, you can start Windows in Safe Mode via the power button in the Start menu.This will get you to Advanced Startup Options, from which you can start up in Safe Mode.

1. Select theStart menufrom the taskbar, or press theWindows key.

   

   You don't have to be logged in to Windows for this to work.Skip to the next step if you're having problems logging in but still need to access Safe Mode.

2. Select thepowericon.

   

   If you're stuck at the sign-in screen, the power button is located at the bottom right of the screen.

3. Press-and-hold theShiftkey as you selectRestart.You can let go when the reboot procedure starts.

   

4. Your computer will restart and load Advanced Startup Options.When that screen appears, chooseTroubleshoot.

   

5. SelectAdvanced options.

   

6. ChooseStartup Settings.

   

7. SelectRestart.

   

8. Press4for the "normal" Safe Mode,5for Safe Mode with Networking (if you need internet access), or6for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

   

   You need to press the physical keys on your keyboard during this step, as you can't click on the screen.

Reboot to Windows 11 Safe Mode From Settings

If you're having trouble getting into Safe Mode using the Shift+Restart method, but you're able to log into Windows and access the Settings app, you can force a restart into the ASO menu that way.

1. OpenSettingsby pressingWin+ior searching for it in the Start menu, then selectSystem.

   

2. ChooseRecoveryon the right.

   

3. LocateAdvanced startupand selectRestart now. Your computer will restart into Advanced Startup Options.

   

4. Navigate toTroubleshoot>Advanced options>Startup Settings>Restart.

5. Choose a Safe Mode option using the numbers on the keyboard.

Access Windows 11 Safe Mode if Windows Won't Start

If Windows won't start or shows a blank or black screen, or your mouse and keyboard aren't working, it may seem like a lost cause. Fortunately, Windows 11 still lets you access the ASO menu because it's designed to load into recovery mode after several failed attempts to boot normally.

Here's how to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode if the screen is black:

1. Hold thepower buttonon your computer until it turns off.

2. Press thepower buttonagain to turn on your computer.

3. When you see that Windows is booting up, usually indicated by the manufacturer's logo or Windows logo, press and hold thepower buttonuntil your device turns off again.

4. Turn the computer back on.

5. When Windows starts booting up, press and hold thepower buttonuntil the computer turns off again.

6. Turn the computer back on.

7. Advanced Startup Options will launch, where you can restart into Safe Mode viaTroubleshoot>Advanced options>Startup Settings>Restart.

   It only takes two interruptions to do this, according to Microsoft, but the timing can be difficult. You may need to interrupt the Windows boot process three or four times.

8. When the Startup Settings screen appears, press the number that corresponds to the Safe Mode type you want to access.

How to Exit Safe Mode in Windows 11

Safe Mode is designed to only launch when you select it from the ASO menu. That means you should be able to exit Safe Mode and return to normal mode by turning your computer off or selecting the restart option from the power menu.

If Windows was set to always boot into Safe Mode using System Configuration, then you'll need to use this method to stop booting into Safe Mode.

If you have trouble exiting Safe Mode in Windows 11, try this:

1. Right-click Start, chooseRun, typemsconfig, and selectOK.

   

2. In theBoottab, underBoot options, make sure theSafe bootboxisn'tchecked.

   

3. ClickOK.

   

4. Restart your computer normally.

• How do I start Windows 10 in Safe Mode?

  You follow the same procedure in Windows 10. Open theStart menu, and then clickPower. SelectRestartwhile holding theShiftkey, and the computer will restart in Safe Mode.

• How do I start Outlook in Safe Mode?

  Hold Ctrl while clicking the Outlook shortcut, and then select Yes. We go into more detail in our How to Open Outlook in Safe Mode article.