The good old methods of booting a Windows machine into safe no longer work with the Windows 10. But that doesn’t mean Microsoft has taken the functionality out of the OS. Windows 10 safe mode is still there, you just have to try alternative methods to boot into it.

For the less knowledgeable, Safe mode is a state where Windows loads only the essential services and drivers for it to function. This helps you resolve issues with your Windows machine when it’s not functioning well in its normal state.

There are several ways to start Windows 10 in safe mode. We’ll just give the best one here that will help you in any scenario.

How to boot Windows 10 into safe mode

  1. Open Start menu and click on the Settings icon.
  2. Select the Update & Security settings option.
  3. Now click on Recovery option in the left sidebar.
  4. Click on the Restart now button under Advanced startup section on the right panel.
  5. Your PC will now reboot, and you’ll be taken to an advanced startup options screen. Click on the Troubleshoot option.
  6. On the next screen, select Advanced options » then click on Startup Settings » and finally hit Restart button on the screen.
  7. Your PC will reboot again and get you to Startup Settings screen this time. Here you’ll see all available booting options with their respective numbers. There will be three option for Safe mode itself, select the option you want to boot into using the function keys:
    • Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode.
    • Press F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.
    • Press F6 to boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

  8. Your Windows 10 PC will now start in Safe Mode.

Once you’re done with your work in Safe Mode. Simply restart your PC from the Start menu to boot back into the regular mode.