What Is Safe Mode in Windows 11 and How to Boot Into It from Settings, Login Screen & BIOS

Windows 11 Safe Mode is one of the most useful built‑in tools for fixing crashes, driver problems, and malware infections. It starts Windows with only the most essential drivers and services, and gives you a clean environment to troubleshoot issues that are difficult to resolve in normal mode. In this article, you’ll learn what Safe Mode is in Windows 11 and how to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11 using all major methods: from Settings, from the login screen, and using BIOS/UEFI and recovery media.

What Is Safe Mode in Windows 11?

Safe Mode in Windows 11 is a special startup mode that loads a minimal set of drivers, services, and system files. It disables most third‑party applications, startup programs, and non‑essential components to help you isolate and fix problems.

When Windows 11 starts in Safe Mode:

• Only basic display, keyboard, and system drivers are loaded.
• Many background services and startup programs are disabled.
• The desktop may look different (lower resolution, no visual effects).
• You’ll see the words “Safe Mode” in the corners of the screen.

Because of this stripped‑down environment, Safe Mode is ideal for:

• Uninstalling faulty drivers that cause blue screens or black screens.
• Removing stubborn malware, adware, or suspicious programs.
• Disabling or removing startup apps that cause freezes or crashes.
• Running system tools like System Restore, Device Manager, and antivirus scanners.

Safe Mode doesn’t magically repair Windows on its own, but it provides a clean, stable environment for troubleshooting.

Types of Safe Mode in Windows 11

When you choose to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode, you will typically see three options:

1. Safe Mode
   Starts Windows 11 with the minimum drivers and services. No network or internet access. Best when you want maximum isolation from drivers, apps, and network.
2. Safe Mode with Networking
   Same as Safe Mode, but includes network drivers and services so you can access the internet or your local network. Use this if you need to:
   • Download new drivers or tools.
   • Update or install antivirus software.
   • Access cloud storage or network resources.
3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt
   Start Windows 11 in a minimal mode and open Command Prompt instead of the usual desktop. This is for advanced users who want to run command‑line tools such as sfc, chkdsk, or DISM.

How to Start Windows 11 in Safe Mode (All Methods)

There are several ways to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode, depending on whether your PC still boots normally or not. This section covers all the major methods:

• From Settings when you can log in.
• From the login screen when you can’t reach the desktop.
• Using Automatic Repair and recovery options.
• From BIOS/UEFI with a USB recovery or installation drive.

Start Windows 11 Safe Mode from Settings

Use this method when Windows 11 still boots and you can sign in normally.

• Press Win + I to open Settings.
• Go to System > Recovery.
• Under Recovery options, find Advanced startup.
• Click Restart now and confirm by clicking Restart now again.

• Your PC will restart and show the Choose an option screen.
• Click Troubleshoot.

• Click Advanced options.

• Click Startup Settings.

• Click Restart.

• After your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Press:
  • 4 or F4 – to start Safe Mode.
  • 5 or F5 – to start Safe Mode with Networking.
  • 6 or F6 – to start Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Windows 11 will now boot into the Safe Mode option you selected.

This method is best when you want to plan a Safe Mode restart for troubleshooting drivers, software, or startup apps.

Start Windows 11 Safe Mode from the Login Screen

If Windows 11 reaches the login (sign‑in) screen but you can’t access the desktop, you can still enter Safe Mode by using Shift + Restart.

Method 1: Shift + Restart from the Login Screen

1. On the Windows 11 login screen, click the Power icon in the bottom‑right corner.
2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.
3. While holding Shift, click Restart.
4. Keep holding Shift until you see the Choose an option screen.

Then follow these steps:

1. Click Troubleshoot.
2. Click Advanced options.
3. Click Startup Settings.
4. Click Restart.
5. After your PC restarts, press 4/F4, 5/F5, or 6/F6 to choose the Safe Mode type.

Method 2: Using Automatic Repair (If Windows Fails to Boot Properly)

If Windows 11 keeps failing to start, you can sometimes trigger Automatic Repair, then move into Safe Mode.

1. Turn on your PC.
2. As soon as you see the Windows logo or spinning dots, hold down the power button for about 5–10 seconds to force a shutdown.
3. Repeat this two or three times.

After several failed startup attempts, Windows 11 should enter Automatic Repair and then display an Advanced options link.

1. Click Advanced options.
2. Click Troubleshoot.
3. Click Advanced options.
4. Click Startup Settings.
5. Click Restart.
6. Choose the Safe Mode option you want using 4/F4, 5/F5, or 6/F6.

This is one of the easiest ways to force Windows 11 to start in Safe Mode when it’s stuck in a boot loop or crashing during startup.

Start Windows 11 Safe Mode from BIOS/UEFI

You cannot directly turn on Safe Mode inside BIOS/UEFI, but you can use BIOS/UEFI to boot from a Windows 11 USB installation or recovery drive. From there, you can open Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and then start Safe Mode.

This method is very useful when:

• Windows 11 won’t boot at all.
• The internal Windows Recovery Environment is damaged or missing.
• You have a USB installer or recovery drive ready.

Step 1: Boot from a Windows 11 USB or Recovery Drive

1. Insert your Windows 11 USB installation media or recovery drive into the PC.
2. Turn on your PC.
3. Immediately press the appropriate BIOS/UEFI key repeatedly (commonly F2, F10, F12, Esc, or Del; check your PC manual or manufacturer’s website).
4. In the BIOS/UEFI interface, open the Boot or Boot Order section.
5. Set your USB drive (or DVD) as the first boot device.
6. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI setup.

Your PC should now boot from the Windows 11 USB installation or recovery media.

Step 2: Open Windows Recovery Environment

1. On the Windows Setup screen, choose your language, time, and keyboard layout, then click Next.
2. At the bottom‑left of the next screen, click Repair your computer instead of Install now.

This will load Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) from the USB drive.

Step 3: Use Startup Settings to Boot into Safe Mode

1. In Windows RE, click Troubleshoot.
2. Click Advanced options.
3. Click Startup Settings.
4. Click Restart.
5. After your PC restarts, choose one of the Safe Mode options:
   • 4 / F4 – Safe Mode.
   • 5 / F5 – Safe Mode with Networking.
   • 6 / F6 – Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

This process allows you to effectively start Windows 11 Safe Mode from BIOS/UEFI, by using external installation or recovery media.

How to Tell If You’re in Safe Mode in Windows 11

Once Windows 11 has started in Safe Mode, you’ll notice several signs:

• The words “Safe Mode” appear in the four corners of the screen.
• The desktop background may be black or plain.
• The display resolution might be lower than usual.
• Many apps and services do not start automatically.

You can now perform fixes such as:

• Uninstalling recently installed apps or drivers from Settings > Apps or Device Manager.
• Running a full antivirus or anti‑malware scan.
• Using System Restore to revert to an earlier, stable configuration.
• Disabling or removing startup programs that cause slow boots or freezes.

How to Exit Safe Mode in Windows 11

In most cases, you can exit Safe Mode simply by restarting your computer.

1. Click Start > Power > Restart.
2. Windows 11 should now boot into normal mode.

If Windows keeps booting into Safe Mode automatically, you may have enabled a persistent Safe Boot option.

Turn Off Safe Boot via System Configuration (msconfig)

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
3. In the System Configuration window, click the Boot tab.
4. If Safe boot is checked, uncheck it.
5. Click OK and then click Restart when prompted.

After the restart, Windows 11 should load normally instead of Safe Mode.

When Should You Use Safe Mode in Windows 11?

Consider using Windows 11 Safe Mode in these situations:

• Frequent crashes or blue screens after installing a new driver or update.
• Black screen or frozen desktop when Windows starts normally.
• Malware or adware infections that won’t delete in normal mode.
• Performance issues caused by startup apps or conflicting software.
• Driver conflicts after installing new hardware (GPU, sound card, etc.).

Safe Mode won’t replace regular backups or security practices, but it is one of the most powerful troubleshooting tools built into Windows 11.