If you're having problems with your computer, starting in Safe Mode is a good way to troubleshoot. Safe Mode starts Windows with only the basic files and drivers it needs to run. Many extra features are disabled, and programs run more slowly. By default, you won't even have internet access.

To start in Safe Mode in Windows 10, click the Start button. Then click Settings > Update & security > Recovery. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now. Your computer will restart and take you to the advanced startup options menu. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. On the Startup Settings screen, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Your computer will restart and take you to Safe Mode.

In Safe Mode, you can troubleshoot and fix problems with your computer. Once you're done, restart your computer to exit Safe Mode and return to normal mode.

If you can't get to the Advanced startup menu, there are other ways to start in Safe Mode:

If you're using Windows 10 Home, you can use the Shift key method. To do this, turn off your computer. Then turn it on and immediately start pressing and holding the Shift key. Keep pressing Shift until you see the choose an option screen. On the choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. On the Startup Settings screen, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

If you're using Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Group Policy Editor to configure your computer to always start in Safe Mode. To do this, open the Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc into the search box. Then go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Boot Options. Double-click on Boot Into Safe Mode and select Enable in the settings window. Close the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.

If you're using Windows 10 Enterprise or Education, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to configure your computer to always start in Safe Mode. To do this, open the Local Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc into the search box. Then go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Boot Options. Double-click on Boot Into Safe Mode and select Enable in the settings window. Close the Local Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.

If you're using Windows 10 Home, you can use the System Configuration tool to configure your computer to always start in Safe Mode. To do this, open the System Configuration tool by typing msconfig into the search box. Then go to the Boot tab and select Safe Boot in the boot options. Close the System Configuration tool and restart your computer.

If you can't get to any of these menus, you can still start in Safe Mode by using the Command Prompt. To do this, turn off your computer. Then turn it on and immediately start pressing and holding the F8 key.