Starting your computer in Safe mode

Starting your computer in Safe mode

Document ID: 2001052409420406
Last Modified:09/30/2005

Starting your computer in Safe mode

Situation:
This document tells how to start your computer in Safe mode.

Solution:
"Safe mode" comes with Windows 98/Me/2000/XP. Safe mode lets you turn off unnecessary computer programs so that you can find the cause of a problem. When you are done, you can turn on the programs again.

Safe mode looks and acts differently than normal Windows. In Safe mode:

You cannot connect to the Internet.
Windows looks different.
Many programs that start with Windows will not start.

Safe mode is part of Windows. We wrote this page to make it easier to use Safe mode with our products. If you need more help with Safe mode than you get from reading this page, please contact Microsoft or your computer manufacturer.

Windows XP
We recommend that you use the System Configuration Utility to get into Safe mode, however, the F8 key can also be used.

To use the System Configuration Utility, you must log on to Windows XP with an Administrator account.

To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP in Safe mode

Close all open programs.
Click Start > Run.
In the Run dialog box, type msconfig and then click OK.
In the System Configuration Utility, on the BOOT.INI tab, check /SAFEBOOT.
Click OK.
When you are asked to restart the computer, click Restart.

The computer restarts in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.) When you are finished working in Safe mode, use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP in normal mode.

To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP in normal mode

Finish what you need to do in Safe mode.
In the section "To use the System Configuration Utility to start Windows XP" above, repeat steps 1-7, but in step 4, uncheck /SAFEBOOT.
Close all programs, and restart the computer.

To use the F8 key to start Windows XP in Safe mode

Restart the computer.
Some computers have a progress bar that refers to the word BIOS. Others may not let you know what is happening.
As soon as the BIOS loads, begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard. Do so until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. If this happens, restart the computer and try again.
Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, select Safe mode and then press Enter.