If your Windows PC gained’t begin correctly or retains crashing, Safe Mode may also help you determine the trigger and repair the issue.
In Safe Mode, Windows solely masses probably the most important drivers and companies, skips third-party autostart packages, and makes use of a easy graphical person interface. This means that you can disable defective drivers, software program, or malware–since these don’t run in Safe Mode.
Starting Safe Mode, Windows 10 and 11
There are a number of methods to begin Windows in Safe Mode, relying on whether or not your system nonetheless boots up usually or not.
Open “msconfig” utilizing the search discipline on the taskbar. Switch to the “Startup” tab, activate “Safe Mode” and “Minimal,” then click on “OK” and restart your PC. This will begin Windows in Safe Mode.
To return to the complete working system later, open “msconfig” in Safe Mode and uncheck the field. After restarting, Windows 11 will begin usually.
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If Windows 11 fails to begin after the third try, the system will robotically enter computerized restore mode. Here, along with the quite a few choices for system restoration, it’s also possible to change the startup settings. These may be discovered beneath “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart.”
A menu will then seem, letting you to begin Windows 11 in numerous modes. Press “4” to begin Windows 11 in Safe Mode.
Troubleshooting issues in Safe Mode
Safe Mode solely masses probably the most fundamental drivers and Windows companies, offering a easy desktop interface in low decision. Since no third-party software program begins robotically, you possibly can decide whether or not the issue is attributable to Windows itself or by your {hardware}. If the error not happens in Safe Mode, it’s most probably because of software program or drivers that load in regular mode.
A smart method is to take away probably the most lately put in packages or drivers from Windows and restart the system to see if it really works correctly. To uninstall drivers, open the Device Manager through the context menu.
Use the context menu to open “Properties” and change to the “Driver” tab. In some circumstances, you should use “Previous Driver” to change again to a working model of the put in drivers. If this doesn’t work, you possibly can merely uninstall the gadget from the context menu.
The Start Settings menu additionally consists of an possibility referred to as “Enable Low-Resolution Video” (VGA mode). While this isn’t Safe Mode within the true sense of the phrase, it may be helpful if a misconfigured graphics driver prevents the conventional show from working.
Troubleshooting in Safe Mode: Important measures
Once your system has booted into Safe Mode, you can begin troubleshooting and repairing. If an put in program is inflicting Windows to malfunction, open “Settings” through the Start button’s context menu. Here you possibly can uninstall packages from Windows beneath “Apps.” By default, the Windows Installer service is disabled in Safe Mode, which can stop the uninstallation of MSI-based setups.
If you encounter an utility that can’t be eliminated this manner, we’d suggest utilizing the Troubleshooter device from Microsoft. You can obtain this from the Microsoft website and run it in Safe Mode. It typically helps to restore botched installations or uninstallations.
Limit startup packages and companies
A significant benefit of Safe Mode is that no exterior autostart packages are loaded, solely important Windows companies run. If the issue doesn’t happen in Safe Mode, it’s doubtless attributable to a program or service that begins robotically with Windows. To slender down the suspects, you are able to do the next:
Press Ctrl Shift Esc to open Task Manager and change to the “Startup” tab. Here, you’ll see all of the packages that launch when Windows begins. Disable all pointless entries on a trial foundation by right-clicking on this system and choosing “Disable.” Then restart the PC in regular mode. If it now runs stably, progressively reactivate the startup packages determine the one inflicting the problem.
Some issues are attributable to background companies that aren’t listed within the Task Manager startup. To handle these, use msconfig: press Win + R, sort msconfig, and go to the “Services” tab. Check “Hide all Microsoft Services” to exclude Windows companies, then click on “Disable all.” Restart usually, and as soon as the system is operating, re-enable companies utilizing a means of elimination.
To preserve monitor of all startup objects, we suggest the Microsoft Sysinternals device Autoruns. Download Autoruns and begin it in Safe Mode. The device lists all autostart entries, and you’ll conceal Windows entries utilizing the choices bar. Problematic packages are sometimes marked in purple or yellow. Do not disable or delete something that you just can’t determine with certainty.
Check and restore system recordsdata (SFC, DISM) and verify information carriers (CHKDSK)
Damaged or lacking system recordsdata can result in unusual errors and instability. In Safe Mode, you possibly can verify Windows itself for harm and restore it with out different processes interfering. System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows inside device that checks the integrity of all protected system recordsdata and replaces broken recordsdata with appropriate variations. Here’s find out how to run it:
Open a command immediate with administrator rights. Press Win + R, sort cmd, after which Ctrl Shift Enter. This will begin the command immediate as an administrator. Next, enter the command sfc/scannow and press Enter. Windows will now begin scanning the system recordsdata. This will take a couple of minutes. You’ll then obtain a message telling you whether or not all the things is OK or which recordsdata are being repaired.
DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a robust device that may restore the Windows element retailer, which is t he supply SFC makes use of to acquire intact system recordsdata. Run DISM if SFC experiences errors it can’t repair, or when you suspect deeper system points. Enter the next command:
DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreWell being
Wait till the method is full. If DISM experiences “The operation completed successfully,” begin sfc/scannow once more to repair any remaining errors. This mixture of SFC and DISM is usually sufficient to convey a beforehand temperamental Windows again to its senses.
In Safe Mode, you possibly can run chkdsk to verify your system partition for errors and restore them. Type chkdsk C:/f and press Enter. Since the system drive is at the moment in use, schedule the verify for the subsequent restart. Confirm with “Y” and press Enter. Restart the pc. During startup, CHKDSK ought to now take impact, checking the exhausting drive and correcting any file system errors.
Use System Restore
If your system stops working correctly after a change, you should use System Restore to reset Windows to an earlier, working state. System Restore may be launched in Safe Mode, even when crashes stop it from operating in regular mode.
This permits you to undo driver or registry adjustments with out affecting your private recordsdata. To use it, name up “rstrui” and comply with the wizard to pick out a restore level. Note that System Restore should be arrange upfront, which you are able to do through the “System Protection” tab in sysdm.cpl, accessible by the search bar.
Enable boot logging for driver evaluation
If your PC crashes or freezes throughout regular startup, enabling boot logging may be useful. Windows creates a log file referred to as “ntbtlog.txt” that lists all loaded drivers, permitting you to determine which driver loaded simply earlier than the crash. You can then uninstall it utilizing the strategies described above.
In Safe Mode, open msconfig (see above). Go to the “Startup” tab and tick the “Startup Logging” field. Apply the adjustments and restart your PC. Let it boot till it crashes or freezes, then restart in Safe Mode to judge the log file. You will discover the file within the “C:Windows” listing. Pay consideration to driver names that belong to third-party software program.
Analyzing blue screens with BlueScreenView
Blue display screen errors (BSODs) may be irritating, however their cease codes and crash dumps provide clues concerning the trigger. In Safe Mode, you should use the BlueScreenView tool (from NirSoft) to learn minidump recordsdata and discover out which driver or file brought about the crash.