This special type of computer boot will help solve problems with the system when it does not start in the usual way or works with errors.
Figure 1. Step-by-step instructions for starting safe mode
- Via bootable media
- Via command line
Use the System Configuration tool (Msconfig.exe)
As with Windows 7, the easiest way to boot into Safe Mode is to use the System Configuration program, also known as msconfig.exe.
Launch it, go to the “Boot” tab and in the boot options activate the “Safe Mode” option. Then click on the "OK" button.
Next, you will see a message stating that you need to restart your computer. Click Restart or Quit Without Reboot, depending on whether you want your computer to restart now or later.
The next time you start Windows 8 (Windows 8.1), it will boot into Safe Mode.
Features of Safe mode
Using safe mode means that the operating system will use only the bare minimum of device drivers, while using them only from the pre-installed set. Thanks to this, it is always possible to manually remove an unsuccessful version of new software using it. In many cases, this can save the system from more drastic recovery methods, such as recovery functions, which may result in the loss of some recent data.
Now that you know how to boot Windows 8 into Safe Mode, you'll have an alternative when choosing a troubleshooting method. If you suspect malfunctioning software, you should first use it, without resorting to extreme measures for the time being.
Use the combination Shift + Restart
Click the power button on the Windows login screen or in the Settings Charm. Then press and hold the SHIFT button on your keyboard and click Restart.
Windows will prompt you to select an option. Select "Diagnostics".
On the Diagnostics screen, click the Advanced Options button.
On the More Options screen, click Boot Options.
Next, you will see a list with several options, including “Enable Safe Mode.” Click Reboot.
When your computer restarts, a list of 9 options will appear on the screen, including three types of Safe Mode.
Press F4 on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Network Driver Support, and F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt Support. After this, Windows 8/Windows 8.1 will be downloaded according to your selection.
1) From a running OS by specifying the boot in the System Configuration.
2) From a running OS by changing the system shutdown settings.
3) From a non-working OS using an emergency shutdown.
Enter Windows8 safe mode from a running OS by specifying boot in System Configuration.
Press the key combination “Win” + “R” and enter “msconfig” (if you made a start button, click Start and enter “msconfig” ) and press “Enter” .
Go to the “Boot” and check the box “Safe Mode” , leaving the default “Minimal” . — Minimal – regular Safe Boot. — Alternate Shell – command line support. — Active Directory recovery - booting with the launch of only the most important system services and the Active Directory directory service. — Network – mode with network support.
After that, in the “System Settings” , click “Reboot” .
After rebooting, Windows will enter safe mode.
Don’t forget to finish working in Safe Mode by going to System Configuration (using “msconfig”, as described above) and unchecking “Safe Mode” .
After the reboot, the system will boot in normal mode.
Enter Windows8 safe mode from a running OS by changing the system shutdown settings.
Move the cursor to the lower right corner and click the “Options” or press the key combination “Win” + “i” .
Press the “Shutdown” . Press and hold the “Shift” , select “Reboot” .
The next step is to click “Diagnostics” .
Then "Advanced options" .
After that "Download options" .
In the Boot Options window, click “Reboot” .
After this, the computer/laptop will restart. During boot, in the “Boot Options” , press the “ F4 ” key accordingly.
After this you will be taken to Safe Mode. When you finish working in it, simply reboot the system and you will be in normal Windows mode.
Enter Windows8 safe mode from a non-working OS using an emergency shutdown.
In case you need to get into safe mode, but the system does not boot (after installing drivers or a virus), Microsoft writes about this - In previous versions of Windows, to open safe mode, you had to press the F8 key before starting Windows. Computers with Windows 8 boot quickly, so you may not have time to press the F8 key. On the Internet, some sources claim that you need to hold down the Shift key and press F8 during boot, but no matter how I tried to press F8 or Shift + F8 on various laptops, I was never able to enter safe mode using these methods. For myself, I concluded that the most suitable way is to turn off the power or turn off your computer/laptop using the button while Windows8 is loading or running.
Attention!!! This method is risky and can lead to various failures in the system; it should be used in extreme cases!!!
After the next startup, the system recovery window will appear, click “ Advanced boot options ”.
The next step is to click “Diagnostics” . Then "Advanced options" . After that "Download options" . In the Boot Options window, click “Reboot” . After this, the computer/laptop will restart. During boot, in the “Boot Options” , press the “ F4 ” key accordingly.
After this you will be taken to Safe Mode. When you finish working in it, simply reboot the system and you will be in normal Windows mode.
If you know other ways to enter Windows8 safe mode, I would be grateful if you voice them in the comments.
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Boot into Safe Mode using a System Recovery CD/DVD (Windows only 
In Windows 8, but not in Windows 8.1, you can create a system repair disc. So, if you have such a disk, you can boot from it.
After booting from the recovery disk, you will be prompted to select a keyboard layout. Select the one you want to use. You will then see the options screen. All further steps will be identical to those described in method 2.
How to enter safe mode via command line
You can enter Windows 10 Safe Mode using the F8 button. Thus, you have the opportunity to launch this mode at system startup. How to enter Safe Mode via Command Prompt in Windows 10:
- Open a command prompt and type bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
- Press Enter
- Restart your computer. When rebooting, press F8 and check if you can enter Safe Mode in Windows
Now you know how to enter safe mode in Windows using the command line.
Use F8 or Shift+F8 (doesn't work when using UEFI BIOS and SSD)
In the case of Windows 7, just press F8 just before starting the operating system to get to a menu with additional boot options, from where you can boot the operating system in safe mode.
For Windows 8 and 8.1, some sites advise using the keyboard shortcut Shift + F8, which launches recovery mode, allowing you to boot into safe mode. However, the problem is that neither Shift + F8 nor just F8 often work.
In a post on its official blog, Microsoft explains that this behavior is due to the very fast boot process. Steve Sinofsky once said, “Windows 8 has a problem. It loads too quickly, so quickly that you actually don't have time to interrupt it when you turn on your PC. The operating system simply does not have time to detect pressing the F2 or F8 keys.”
In general, if you have a modern computer with a UEFI BIOS and an SSD, you are unlikely to be able to interrupt the boot process with keystrokes. On older PCs with a classic BIOS and no SSD, pressing these keys still works.
If you cannot start the system
The user is not always able to start Windows 8. For example, if you have a critical error or the system is seriously damaged by a virus. In this case, there are several simple ways to enter safe mode without booting the system.
Method 1: Using a keyboard shortcut
- The easiest and most popular way to boot the OS in safe mode is to use the Shift + F8 key combination. You need to press this combination before the system starts to boot. Please note that this period of time is quite short, so it may not work out the first time.
- When you do manage to log in, you will see the Select Action screen. Here you need to click on the “Diagnostics” item.
- The next step is to go to the “Advanced Options” menu.
- On the screen that appears, select “Boot Options” and restart the device.
- After rebooting, you will see a screen that will list all the actions you can perform. Select the "Safe Mode" (or any other) action using the F1-F9 keys on your keyboard.
Method 2: Using a bootable USB flash drive
- If you have a bootable Windows 8 flash drive, you can boot from it. After that, select your language and click on the “System Restore” button.
- On the already familiar “Select Action” screen, find the “Diagnostics” item.
- Then go to the Advanced Options menu.
- You will be taken to a screen where you need to select “Command Prompt”.
- In the console that opens, enter the following command:
bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimalAnd restart your computer.
The next time you start, you will be able to start the system in safe mode.
