Sooner or later this happens to all users. Yes, yes, whether we like it or not, we are faced with launching an operating system in safe mode everyone will need, regardless of whether it is installed on the computer latest version Windows 8 or old Vista. However, if everything seems to be clear with time-tested operating systems, then many users can tinker with a brand new gift from Microsoft. Let's look at how easy and at the same time quickly to launch on Windows computer 8 in safe mode.
Method #1: Launch from the Options panel
In order to use this method and enter safe mode, press the power button in the “Options” panel, and then, while holding SHIFT on the keyboard, select the “Restart” option on the screen:
After that, in the “Select Options” window, find and select the “Diagnostics” tab by left-clicking the mouse, and then select “Advanced Options”:
Our next step will be to select the “Boot Options” tab in the new system window:
As a result, Windows 8 will offer, in particular, to run safe mode on the PC. We take advantage of this offer and immediately click on the “Restart” button on the screen:
As a result, the PC will reboot. When you turn it on again, the system will display a number of options to enable, including safe mode. However, it will be presented in 3 versions:
- standard (turn on by pressing the F4 button on the keyboard);
- with launch network drivers(activate with F5 key);
- with a working command line (select with the F6 button).
We select the parameter we need and press the corresponding button on the keyboard. As a result, Windows 8 will restart in safe mode.
Method #2: Start from the command line
Those who have at least once downloaded for Windows 7 or any other OS from Microsoft know that this task can be performed through the command line. You can use it in Windows 8, however, taking into account the peculiarities of its operation.
The first thing you need, of course, is . In this case, you can use different methods. In 8, this is easiest to achieve by pressing the hotkeys and X on the keyboard, and then selecting the option to log into the command line with administrator rights in the menu that opens. After the command line loads, enter the value bcdedit /deletevalue (current) bootmenupolicy into it:
Please note that if the parameter is entered incorrectly, the system will write a corresponding message on the command line. If it does not appear, then everything is in order and you can restart the computer. As a result, during the next launch of Windows 8, press F8 and select the required option in the familiar system window:
Please note that if in the future you no longer need safe mode, do not forget to turn it off by entering the bcdedit /set (current) bootmenupolicy standard parameter into the command line.
Method #3: Boot using the System Configuration setting
To start safe mode on computers running Windows 8 using this method, you first need to perform one of the following actions to choose from:
Use the Run program:
To do this, press the keys and R on the keyboard. Next, it’s a small matter - enter the msconfig parameter in the “Open” line and click OK:
Use command line:
We launch the command line (see method No. 2), enter the msconfig parameter into it and press Enter on the keyboard:
Whichever option you choose, the “System Configuration” system window should eventually open. In it, in the “Boot Options” section, select “Safe Mode” and click OK:
As a result, Windows 8 will prompt you to reboot. We, of course, do not refuse (why did we try so hard) and send the PC to reboot. The result of such actions is simple - the OS will start in safe mode without any unnecessary settings. Note that if you need to load the operating system normally, you will have to go to “System Configuration” again. In this case, it will be enough to uncheck the “Safe Mode” item and save the setting using the OK button.
Method No. 4: Start using a boot disk or USB flash-card with Windows 8
If for some reason you were unable to start safe mode on your computer using the previous methods, but you still have an installation CD/DVD or flash drive with this OS, you can solve the problem with their help. Note that in both cases you will have to act in the same way. For example, let’s suggest starting Windows 8 on a PC in safe mode using boot disk.
To do this, insert it into the drive and restart the PC. Then go to the BIOS, select boot from CD/DVD and run the OS installation program. Next, enter the settings (language, date, time, etc.) and wait until the following window appears on the screen:
Now, to open safe mode on your computer, click “System Restore” and perform the following steps one by one:
- In the “Select action” window, check “Diagnostics”;
- Select “Advanced options”;
- Click the “Command Line” tab;
- Enter bcdedit /set (globalsettings) advancedoptions true into the command line to execute, press Enter and close the tab;
- In the new window, click “Continue”.
As a result, the system will restart in safe mode. To return the operating system to its original state, enter the value bcdedit /deletevalue (globalsettings) advancedoptions into the command line.
Method #5: Launch using hotkeys
Why didn't we start with this method? Because you can't use it to load safe mode on all Windows 8 computers. In particular, if your PC has installed UEFI BIOS or SSD, you won’t be able to use it, but in standard BIOS mode this method works without interruptions.
If this is your situation, let’s say that safe mode can be launched simultaneously with loading the OS by simply pressing F8 on the keyboard or combining this button with the Shift key. If you did it on time, a standard window will appear on the screen, as in method No. 2, in which you can select the appropriate system boot option.
As you can see, safe mode can be launched in Windows 8 in different ways. Just choose the method you like - and move on from dream to reality!
It's still possible to boot into safe mode, but you'll have to dig into the settings to do so. Windows recovery 8. The key now launches automatic recovery, but if you click + instead when loading, it becomes possible to manually select recovery options. However, it’s even easier to hold down and select the “Restart” command in Windows itself or on the login screen.
There are several ways to get into safe mode - it all depends on whether the system boots and whether you can enter it. Let's start with the simplest.
If the login screen is available
If the boot successfully reaches the login screen, you can hold down the key and select the “Reboot” option from the shutdown menu. The Diagnostic Tools screen will appear, allowing you to enter Safe Mode. How exactly - read below.
If the system does not boot, but there is a recovery disk
If you have another computer with the same Windows version, you can create a USB recovery drive and boot your faulty PC from it to access diagnostic tools, including safe mode (more details below).
If the login screen is not available
If the boot doesn't even get to the login screen, a recovery screen will usually appear automatically. If this does not happen, try holding down the key while loading and press until it boots new mode recovery. When the recovery screen appears, click the Advanced Options button.
The problem is that this screen does not always appear. Many computers, especially new ones, do not display it.
Using advanced options to boot into Safe Mode
Whichever of the described methods you use, on the recovery screen that appears, click the “Troubleshoot” button.
Now select Advanced Options.
Finally, click the Restart button.
After the reboot, by some miracle, the familiar boot options screen will appear, where you can select Safe Mode.
Launching Safe Mode directly from Windows 8
There is another way to get into safe mode, but it will only work if Windows is already loaded. Press the +[R] keys, enter the command “msconfig” (without quotes) in the window that appears and press .
In the window that opens, go to the “Boot” tab and check the “Safe Boot” checkbox.
You can also select options secure boot:
"Minimal"– normal safe mode.
"Alternate Shell"– safe mode with command line.
"Recovery Active Directory» (Active Directory repair)– safe mode for restoring a server that is a domain controller on a local network.
"Network"– safe mode with network connection.
Once you have selected the option you want, click OK and restart your computer.
The system will automatically boot into safe mode.
If your operating system does not boot, then your main task is to identify the cause and, if possible, eliminate it. There are two possible scenarios: damage to the computer hardware and the need to replace a component, or simply a system failure, which can be solved by a simple rollback. Let's look at how to determine what caused the error, as well as how to fix the problem.
Attention!
All of the steps below are strongly recommended only if you fully understand everything stated, so as not to harm your computer.
If after turning on the computer nothing happens and you do not see the OS loading process, then most likely the problem is a malfunction of some components of the device. The first step is to check whether all computer components are connected. To do this, disconnect the computer from the network and turn off the power supply using the toggle switch on the back wall. Open the case.
Reason 1: Hard drive failure
If after performing the steps described above the problem does not go away, then proceed to checking hard drive. Very often the cause of the problem is a media failure. You can check its functionality only by connecting the component to another computer. There are three possible scenarios here.
Option 1: HDD is detected by another computer and Windows boots
Everything is fine! Your hard drive is working fine and the problem is not there.
In this case, you need to check the disk for bad sectors. You can do this using special program Crystal Disk Info. It is completely free and will help you perform a complete diagnostic of your hard drive. Run it and pay attention to points such as Remapped sectors, Unstable sectors, Uncorrectable sector errors. If at least one of these items is highlighted in yellow, then bad sectors there are and they need to be corrected.
To recover bad blocks, run "Command line" on behalf of the administrator. To do this, use the key combination Win + X open context menu and select the appropriate item.
Then enter the following command:
Click Enter. You will be prompted to perform a recovery after rebooting the system. Enter Y and press again Enter. After this, restart your computer.
Option 3: HDD is not detected by another computer
This is the worst option. In this case, you will have to purchase a new hard drive, since the old one most likely cannot be restored. But before you do anything, consult your service center. Perhaps yours hard drive you can still return it to working condition. Otherwise, they will recommend you which drive is better to take and offer replacement services.
Reason 2: Some components are not connected
If your hard drive is working properly, then check the following components:
- Hard drive power cable;
- A cable that connects the hard drive and the motherboard;
- Are the memory modules seated tightly in the connectors?
Reason 3: Motherboard failure
If the actions taken above did not have any result, then the problem is not in the cables and the hard drive, but in motherboard. It is better to entrust this problem to specialists and take the computer to a service center.
The system tries to boot, but nothing happens
If you turn on your PC and see any signs that the system is trying to boot, then this is a great sign. In this case, you can avoid costs and solve the problem yourself.
Reason 1: Error starting explorer.exe
If the system boots, but you only see a black screen and a cursor, then the problem arose when the explorer.exe process was launched, which is responsible for loading the graphical shell. Here you can either start the process manually or perform a system rollback - at your discretion.
In Windows 8, Safe Mode has been noticeably changed, making it more functional and convenient. Now, if problems arise with the operation of the operating system, the user has access to several utilities that make it easier to diagnose and restore the operation of the OS.
Booting into Safe Mode is one of the most important steps in troubleshooting computer problems. This is what most users use when errors appear in the system. However, the standard way to load Safe Mode in all Windows operating systems up to version 8 is to restart the computer and press the F8 button repeatedly, after which a black screen appears with a list of OS boot modes, from which you can select Safe.
In Windows 8, the way Safe Mode loads has been slightly changed, so users who tried to get into Safe Mode in the usual way encountered some difficulties. The fact is that pressing the F8 key while Windows 8 is loading starts automatic recovery mode.
In order to open the modes and system recovery menu, you should press not F8, but the key combination Shift + F8. While the system is booting, you need to hold down the Shift button and press the F8 key several times.
However, due to some Windows features 8 starting Safe Mode this way can be difficult, so if the system on the computer is working, it will be much easier to use special utilities, built into the system.
Opening Safe Mode from a running Windows 8 system using the msconfig utility
Safe Mode can also be launched from a running operating system. To do this, call up the program execution request window using the Win+R key combination. In the window that appears, type msconfig and press Enter. In the window that opens, go to the Boot tab and check the box next to Safe Boot.
In the list below, you can choose one of the types of Safe Mode. Minimal mode is a normal safe mode. Another shell (Alternate Shell) is Safe Mode, which supports the command line. Network is Safe Mode with network support.
Once you have selected the type of Safe Mode that suits you best, click OK and confirm that you need to reboot the system.
After this, the system will automatically boot into Safe Mode. Once you have set these settings, Windows 8 will always boot into Safe Mode when you turn on your computer. To stop this, open the msconfig utility window again and uncheck the box next to the words Safe Mode.
Opening the Diagnostics menu in Windows 8
There is another way to open Safe Mode in Windows 8, which also requires a running operating system. Press the Win+I key combination and in the blue window that appears, click on the Shutdown option while holding down the Shift key. A small menu will appear where you should select the Reboot option.
In the following windows, in order, select Diagnostics - Additional options - Boot options.
Reboot the system, after which a window will appear in front of you indicating several modes, you can select one of which using the F1-F9 keys.
Let's take a closer look at each of the available modes.
By pressing the F4 key, the most limited Safe Mode is available, in which, after starting the system, only the drivers necessary for Windows 8 work. Neither the Internet nor local network will not be available to you.
Using the F5 key, start Safe Mode with loading network drivers - the optimal solution for solving most problems. You can go online and continue searching for a solution to your problem or download the necessary patches and utilities. This mode is most often used to update the antivirus.
The F6 key launches Safe Mode with support command line. This mode does not support a graphical interface, so you will need to enter all the necessary commands into the command line.
To return to the start window from Safe Mode, press the Alt key.
Windows 8 Safe Mode boot keys
To return the Safe Modes menu boot option to the F8 key, you must make changes to the BCD boot configuration data file. To do this, open a command prompt as an administrator and enter the command bcdedit /deletevalue (current) bootmenupolicy.
After “Operation Complete” appears in the black window, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer. While loading, press F8 several times. A familiar window will appear where you can select Safe Mode.
To undo the changes you made, reopen the Command Prompt and enter the command bcdedit /set (current) bootmenupolicy standard.
Another way to make changes to the BCD boot configuration data file is to enter bcdedit /set (bootmgr) displaybootmenu yes at the command prompt.
You can return the system to standard boot with the command bcdedit /set (bootmgr) displaybootmenu no.
The latter method is most suitable for devices and PCs where the Windows 8 system boots so quickly that it does not have time to respond to either pressing F8 or the Shift+F8 key combination.
Why does the F8 key not work?
In some cases, it is not possible to open Safe Mode or automatic recovery after pressing either the F8 key or the Shift+F8 combination. After reading the message from the official Microsoft website, you can find out that this is due to too fast loading Windows 8, which does not even have time to detect pressing the F8 or F2 keys.
Fast modern computer, equipped with UEFI BIOS and solid state SSD drive where the operating system is installed may not allow you to use function keys to open Safe Mode. However, booting the OS on older computers with a standard BIOS and installed on the hard drive HDD drive the operating system is not fast enough that Windows 8 does not have time to detect keystrokes.
How to Avoid the Windows 8 Fast Boot Difficulty
To prevent problems with loading Safe Mode using the Shift+F8 key combinations, you should make changes to the BCD boot configuration data file using the bcdedit /set (bootmgr) displaybootmenu yes command described above, rather than rolling back the changes.
In this case, you will always be able to easily get into Safe Mode, even if Windows 8 does not boot in standard mode. This solution, of course, has the disadvantage that now every time you boot the system you will see a black screen and press the Enter key to start it. You will have to determine for yourself which solution is more convenient for you.
Some users prefer to intentionally crash the operating system by turning off their computer or laptop using the power button. In this case, the next time the system boots, a system recovery and diagnostic window will appear, where you can select Safe Mode.
However this method is extremely dangerous not only for installed system, but also for data stored on a computer.
Entering Windows 8 Safe Mode using a recovery disc
If the system does not boot and the Shift+F8 key combination does not allow you to access the system recovery menu, the best solution is to use the boot Windows disk, which will help you open Safe Mode when other methods have failed.
After you boot your computer from the recovery disc or installation disk Windows 8, click Next.
A window will appear in front of you, at the bottom of which there is a link to System Restore. Let's click on it.
The familiar Select Action window opens.
We follow the path Diagnostics - Additional parameters.
There is no Boot Options icon in the window, so open the Command Prompt. In the black window that appears, enter the command bcdedit /set (globalsettings) advancedoptions true.
Close the command line. Select the Continue menu item.
Now Safe Mode will always start when the system boots. To fix this, enter the command bcdedit /deletevalue (globalsettings) advancedoptions into the command line.
Can't boot Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 in Safe Mode? Are you pressing F8 or Shift+F8 but it doesn't do anything? Loading the new operating system from Microsoft has become so fast that it is not always possible to interrupt it with keystrokes.
You can login securely Windows mode 8 or 8.1 5 in different ways, any of them will allow you to run the system on Windows 8-8.1 safely!
Safe Mode in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 is practically no different from that in earlier versions of the OS.
operating system still only loads the most basic drivers and services. The only noticeable difference is that the minimum screen resolution in Safe Mode has increased from 800x600 pixels to 1024x768 pixels.
1. Use the System Configuration tool (Msconfig.exe)
As with , the easiest way to boot into Safe Mode is to use the System Configuration program, also known as msconfig.exe.
Launch it, go to the “Boot” tab and in the boot options activate the “Safe Mode” option. Then click on the "OK" button.
Next, you will see a message stating that you need to restart your computer. Click Restart or Quit Without Reboot, depending on whether you want the computer to restart now or later.
The next time you start Windows 8 (Windows 8.1), it will boot into Safe Mode.
2. Use the combination Shift + Restart
Click the power button on the Windows login screen or in the Settings Charm. Then press and hold the SHIFT button on your keyboard and click Restart.
Windows will prompt you to select an option. Select "Diagnostics".
On the Diagnostics screen, click the Advanced Options button.
On the More Options screen, click Boot Options.
When your computer restarts, a list of 9 options will appear on the screen, including three types of Safe Mode.
Press F4 on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Network Driver Support, and F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt Support. After this, Windows 8/Windows 8.1 will be downloaded according to your selection.
3. Boot into safe mode using CD/DVD to restore system (Windows 8 only)
On Windows 8, but not Windows 8.1, you can . So, if you have such a disk, you can boot from it.
After booting from the recovery disk, you will be prompted to select a keyboard layout. Select the one you want to use. You will then see the options screen. All further steps will be identical to those described in method 2.
4. Boot into USB Safe Mode to Restore System
Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 allow . Detailed instructions can be found at the link. Using such a disk you can also boot the OS in safe mode. To do this, boot from your System Recovery USB drive and follow the instructions from the previous method.
5. Use F8 or Shift + F8 (does not work when using UEFI BIOS and SSD)
In the case of Windows 7, just press F8 just before starting the operating system to get to the menu with additional options download, from where you can already boot the operating system in safe mode.
For Windows 8 and 8.1, some sites advise using the keyboard shortcut Shift + F8, which launches recovery mode, allowing you to boot into safe mode. However, the problem is that neither Shift + F8 nor just F8 often work.
In a post on its official blog, Microsoft explains that this behavior is due to the very fast boot process. Steve Sinofsky once said: “Windows 8 has a problem. It loads too quickly, so quickly that you don't actually have time to interrupt it when you turn on your PC. The operating system simply does not have time to detect pressing the F2 or F8 keys.”
In general, if you have a modern computer with a UEFI BIOS and an SSD, you are unlikely to be able to interrupt the boot process with keystrokes. On older PCs with a classic BIOS and no SSD, pressing these keys still works.
Have a great day!
