How to boot into safe mode in Windows 11

While Windows 11 is free and likely to work fine for most folks, some systems may face issues due to the update. So what can you do if your Windows 11 PC has a problem that doesn’t let you use it properly? Well, you can try and boot into safe mode. Here’s how to boot into safe mode in Windows 11 and exit it.

Read more: Happy with Windows 10? Here’s how to stop the Windows 11 update

QUICK ANSWER

To boot into safe mode on Windows 11, head to Windows settings -> System -> Recovery -> Advanced startup -> Restart now. After the restart, in the advanced startup boot menu, select Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Startup Settings -> Restart. Once restarted, press 4 to enter safe mode, 5 for safe mode with networking, or 6 for safe mode with CMD.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

How to boot Windows 11 in safe mode

Head over to the Windows settings app via Windows search. You can also press Windows + I to open it.

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In the left navigation pane, make sure System is selected. If it isn’t, click System. In the right pane, click Recovery. Under Recovery options, there will be a tab that says Advanced startup. Click the Restart now button. In the confirmation pop-up, click Restart now again.

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Windows 11 will restart into the advanced startup with a bunch of options. From the Choose an option menu, click Troubleshoot.

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On the Troubleshoot screen, click Advanced options.

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Click Startup Settings from the Advanced options.

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Click Restart on the Startup Settings screen, at the bottom right under the list of boot modes.

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The system will restart into the startup mode selection screen. This screen lists all the boot options for Windows 11, including the three Safe Modes below.

• Press 4 to enter Safe Mode — Takes you to the basic safe mode. Most functionality, including unnecessary Windows services. networking and even the command prompt are disabled.
• Press 5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking — Takes you to safe mode, but with internet connectivity and other networking systems enabled. We recommend this mode if you want to do the troubleshooting yourself and need internet access.
• Press 6 to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt — Takes you to safe mode with the command prompt shell (CMD) enabled. This mode can be useful for advanced troubleshooting using the CMD.

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When you press the key according to your preference, Windows 11 will restart and enter the respective safe mode.

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Read more: How to install Windows 11

How to exit safe mode on Windows 11

The simplest way to exit the safe mode on Windows 11 is to restart your PC. Usually, this reboots Windows 11 back into the regular mode. Sometimes, however, Windows 11 may get stuck in safe mode and refuse to return to normal. In that case, follow these steps to exit safe mode on Windows 11. However, in some cases, that may not work.

Summon the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R on your keyboard at once. In the Run dialog box, type msconfig and click OK, or hit the Enter key.

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The System Configuration window will pop up. Click the Boot tab towards the top. Ensure the checkbox next to Safe boot is unchecked, under Boot options. You can click to uncheck it if it’s checked. Once done, click OK.

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Now restart your PC. Windows 11 should exit safe mode and kick into the regular mode. If you want to go back into safe mode, follow the same steps mentioned above again.

More: Should you upgrade to Windows 11?

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