How to Start Your Windows 11 PC in Safe Mode

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Fix issues with your computer by entering Safe Mode

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: October 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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From Windows Settings

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From Startup Screen

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From WinRE

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Exiting Safe Mode

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Safe Mode is a feature on your Windows 11 PC that allows you to restart your device with only the essential system processes. Safe Mode is mostly used when trying to fix issues with your computer, though you may need to enter Safe Mode when updating software drivers or dealing with malware. In this article, we teach you the three ways you can enter Safe Mode on Windows 11, as well as how to exit Safe Mode if your computer won't reboot into normal mode.

Ways to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11

Open the Settings menu, go to System > Recovery, and click Restart now.
Alternatively, restart your PC, then hold down the Shift key while clicking Power > Restart.
You can also boot into Safe Mode by rebooting your PC 3 times to enter Windows Recovery Environment and going into startup settings.

Section 1 of 4:

Booting from Settings

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This is the fastest way to open the Settings app. Alternatively, you can open your Settings app from the Start menu, or by right-clicking on the Windows icon in your taskbar and choosing Settings.
You'll have to scroll to find the Recovery option.

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This will immediately restart your computer and give you a list of options.
To do this, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
You can do this by pressing 4 or F4, though you'll want to choose 5 or F5 if you want to restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (internet).

Section 2 of 4:

Booting from the Startup Screen

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If you'd prefer to enter Safe Mode from the startup screen, you'll need to start by restarting your entire computer.
This will force your computer to restart in recovery mode.
To do this, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.^{[1]
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You can do this by pressing 4 or F4, though you'll want to choose 5 or F5 if you want to restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (internet).

Section 3 of 4:

Booting from the Windows Recovery Environment

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A third way to enter Safe Mode is to force your computer to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (or WinRE). If your computer fails to start three times, it will automatically put you into WinRE.
While your computer is booting up, press and hold the power button to interrupt the boot. Repeat this two more times. On the third time, let your computer fully boot up.
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Navigate to the startup settings window. To do this, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- If you get an error that says "Could Not Find the Recovery Environment, check out this wikiHow article on how to fix it.
You can do this by pressing 4 or F4, though you'll want to choose 5 or F5 if you want to restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (internet).^{[2]
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Section 4 of 4:

Rebooting Out of Safe Mode

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Normally, rebooting your computer is enough to exit Safe Mode. However, if your computer won't stop booting into Safe Mode, follow these steps.
This will open the System Configuration window.
It's the second tab at the top of the window.
It's in the bottom left corner of the pop-up window.
You can now reboot your computer back into normal mode.^{[3]
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