Press R at the Windows Options menu to open Recovery Console.

At the “Press any key” message, press any key to make sure you boot from the CD.

Insert the installation CD in the optical drive.

For more information on Bootrec, read our guide: Bootrec. After that, you can try again to boot into Safe Mode.įor more information on chkdsk, read our guide: chkdsk. If you can’t boot into Windows to run msconfig, you can use the original installation disc or Easy Recovery Essentials to run Command Prompt and run chkdsk and bootrec commands.Ĭhkdsk and bootrec utilities will attempt to fix any issues found on your hard drive or during the booting process of your Windows. Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 users can open Run by pressing the and R keys.

The Windows Advanced Options Menu should now appear.

Press the F8 key as your Windows starts, before the Windows XP logo appears.

It’s recommended to remove all external cables and media and leave only the essentials: monitor, keyboard, mouse etc. Safe Mode in Windows XPįor Windows XP to start in Safe Mode, follow these steps: To boot into Safe Mode, you need to press the F8 key while your Windows is booting, but before the logo appears.įor Windows 8 and Windows 10, the combination of Shift and F8 keys might work, but it work for computers with UEFI/EFI.įor Windows-specific steps, follow the steps below. This option loads the same drivers and services as the Safe Mode option, but loads Command Prompt (cmd.exe) instead of Windows Explorer (graphical interface) This loads the same devices, drivers and services as the Safe Mode option with the additional drivers necessary to load networking. It gives you a minimal set of devices, drivers and services to run Windows

The Safe Mode of Windows has 3 options available: Startup Settings screen in Windows 10 Options In Windows XP, the Windows Advanced Options Menu shows the Safe Mode option available:

System Information, where you can view information about the hardwareįor more information on how to run these diagnostic tools, go to Diagnostic tools in Safe Mode.Device Manager, where you can update and remove devices and drivers from your computer.Various settings for your Windows version.If you boot into Safe Mode, you can use various diagnostic tools: In Safe Mode, your computer is running with non-core components disabled which makes it easier to fix potential errors or remove various software that, in normal conditions, can’t be fixed or removed. 2.4 Safe Mode in Windows 8, 8.1 and Windows 10.

Mac diagnostic boot mode