How to Boot into Safe Mode on Windows 11

September 11, 2026

Start Windows 11 in Safe Mode from Settings, the Shift + Restart shortcut, or msconfig to remove a bad driver or app that breaks normal startup.

Safe Mode starts Windows with only the basic drivers and services. Use it to uninstall a driver or app that stops the PC from working normally, or to run a malware scan.

Open Advanced startup from Settings

Go to Settings, System, Recovery. Next to Advanced startup, click Restart now and confirm. In Windows 10 the same button is under Settings, Update & Security, Recovery.

Go to Startup Settings

The PC restarts to a blue Choose an option screen. Click Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, then Restart.

Pick a Safe Mode option

A numbered list appears. Press 4 (or F4) for Enable Safe Mode, or 5 (or F5) for Enable Safe Mode with Networking if you need internet access to download a driver. Press 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Sign in when prompted. The words "Safe Mode" appear in the corners of the desktop.

Fix the problem, then restart normally

Uninstall the suspect app under Settings, Apps, Installed apps, or remove a driver in Device Manager (right-click Start, Device Manager). When you are done, restart from the Start menu. The PC boots normally again.

Use a shortcut or msconfig instead

If Settings is hard to reach, open the Start menu, click the power button, then hold Shift while clicking Restart. That lands on the same Choose an option screen. To make every boot go to Safe Mode until you say otherwise, press Windows + R, type msconfig, press Enter, open the Boot tab, tick Safe boot with Minimal (or Network) selected, click OK, and restart. Come back and untick Safe boot afterward, or the PC keeps starting in Safe Mode.

If Windows will not load at all. Turn the PC on and, as soon as the Windows logo or spinning dots appear, hold the power button until it turns off. Repeat three times. On the next start Windows opens Automatic Repair. Click Advanced options to reach the same Troubleshoot menu as above.

If you sign in with a PIN. Windows Hello is not available in Safe Mode. Use the account password instead, and if you have a Microsoft account, that is the Microsoft account password.