Windows XP safe mode

Windows XP logo

Sooner or later you will need to start your Windows in Safe mode. Safe mode is a troubleshooting option that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are loaded and this enables you to fix various problems with device drivers or remove viruses. These instructions below will describe you how to restart in Safe mode on various versions of Windows operating system.

Windows 95

  • Open up the Start menu and click on Shutdown.
  • Now select Restart The Computer and confirm it.
  • Hold down the F8 key on your keyboard as your PC restarts.
  • If your PC starts beeping then release the key for just a second before holding it down again.
  • Now sit back and wait for Windows to start up in Safe mode. If Windows doesn’t restart in Safe mode then repeat the process.

Windows 98/ME

  • Click on the Start button and select Shutdown.
  • Select Restart The Computer and confirm it.
  • As the computer restarts, press and hold down the F8 key until the Windows Startup menu appears.
  • If your PC starts beeping then release the key for a moment and press it again.
  • Select Safe mode from the Startup menu, and press the Enter button on your keyboard.
  • If everything went as supposed to, then Windows should start in Safe mode. If Windows doesn’t come up in Safe mode then please try again.

Windows 2000/2003

  • Open up the Start menu and select Shutdown.
  • Select Restart and confirm it.
  • Hold down the F8 key on your keyboard as your PC restarts until the Windows Startup menu appears.
  • If your PC starts beeping then release the key for just a second before holding it down again.
  • Select Safe mode from the Startup menu, and press the Enter button on your keyboard.
  • Now sit back and wait for Windows to start up in Safe mode. If Windows doesn’t restart in Safe mode then repeat the process.

Windows XP

  • Click on the Start button and select Turn off computer.
  • Select Restart.
  • During restart, hold down the F8 key on your keyboard until the Windows Startup menu appears.
  • If your PC starts beeping then release the key for a moment and press it again.
  • When the Startup menu appears, use the arrow keys and select Safe mode and press Enter.
  • If everything went as supposed to, then Windows should start in Safe mode. If Windows doesn’t come up in Safe mode then please try again.

Windows Vista

  • Click on the Start button, then on the arrow next to Lock button and select Restart.
  • During restart, hold down the F8 key on your keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options screen appears.
  • If your PC starts beeping then release the key for a moment and press it again.
  • When the Advanced Boot Options appears, use the arrow keys and select Safe mode and press Enter.
  • If everything went as supposed to, then Windows should start in Safe mode. If Windows doesn’t come up in Safe mode then please try again.