Windows Safe Mode
If you’re having problems with your computer and you suspect you’re infected with malware (a virus, Trojan, rogue, spyware, etc.) booting into Safe Mode is a good first step. Safe Mode is available in all versions of Windows and is a special mode of Windows were only the bare minimum of services load and minimal processes run. Most of the time (but not always) malware will load on Windows boot but only in normal Windows — most won’t load in Safe Mode. If you boot into Safe Mode and then scan your computer for malware, you’ll stand a better chance of removing it because it won’t be running in the background.
There are also other reasons to use Windows Safe mode such as diagnosing error messages or pinpointing a process, program or service that may be loading when you boot into normal Windows. Safe Mode is a great way to find computer problems and fix them — but it does require a little Windows knowledge to dig deep and root out the malware or manually adjust startups and/or remove a troublesome program that resists removal in normal mode. But even if you’re a Windows novice, knowing how to boot into Safe Mode is something you should know.
In Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 the easiest way to boot into Safe Mode is by tapping the F8 key as soon as you turn on your computer – and keep tapping it until you see you’re booting into Safe Mode. This works on all versions of Windows except Windows 8 and Windows 10 where it gets a bit more tricky. So read on…
There’s another way to get to Safe Mode and it works every time and you can use it on all versions of Windows. A word of caution – you will need to be extra careful when you this method,– there are several boot options that you should not use unless you’re sure of what you’re doing.
Here’s the other way to boot into Safe Mode. This works on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 although they all have slightly different options.
On any version of Windows to open the System Configuration Tool, press the Windows Key + R and type MSCONFIG into the run dialog, then press Enter. When the Windows Configuration Utility opens click on the Boot tab and choose put a check mark next to Safe Boot. Tick the circle next to Minimal – standard Safe Mode – without networking. If you’re going to need to use the Internet to browse or download while in Safe Mode then tick the circle next to Network. We suggest you choose Network unless you trying to remove a serious virus, malware, or ransom-ware infection.In that case, you should choose Minimal.
The following screen shot is from Windows 7 (it looks somewhat different in Windows XP but virtually the same in Windows 8 and Windows 10.
This is the Windows 10 Boot Options Menu
Note: In Windows XP the only option you should check is “SAFEBOOT”.
In Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8x, and Windows 10 the only two options you should need to check are “Safe boot”and “Minimal” or “Network” (if you need Internet access). You should never check “Make all boot settings permanent”. Use the other boot options only if you’re sure of what you’re doing. You can cause serious problems if you select any other options and you don’t understand their function.
After you have made your selection, click “Apply” “OK”. You’ll see a dialog asking if you want to restart now or exit without restarting. Go ahead and restart. You’ll boot into Safe Mode.
IMPORTANT:
Before you exit Safe Mode, open MSCONFIG again and uncheck “Safe boot” and click APPLY, OK. When you see the restart prompt, click “Restart” and you’ll boot back into normal Windows.
