author avatar
13 February 2019  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
Last update by William Davis at 4 January 2021

Summary
We can use Windows safe mode to solve program or drive problems while some problems occur in using. For example, safe mode may fail to boot in Windows 10. In this essay, it will introduce some solutions to solve this problem, and it will introduce how to solve other related problems, such as fail to boot computer or can not get access to safe mode.



In safe mode, Windows system will only load least drivers to help user check or shoot troubles. In the past Windows versions, you can press F8 to access safe mode before the system boots. Windows 10 adapts quick boot, and you can enter safe mode through msconfig system configuration or [shift + the reset button] when you get into the system.

But how to get access to safe mode if Windows 10 fails to boot?

Starting Windows 10 in Safe mode

1. Enter Safe Mode When Windows 10 Fails to Boot

We are unable to enter safe mode routinely if the system fails to boot. In the following, we will introduce two methods under this situation.

Method 1: Press Reset Button Three times to Stop Windows Booting

① Start PC at first; then immediately press the reset button or the power button to stop the routine boot when the Windows 10 logo occurs. Please repeat this step three times.
stuck at the loading screen
② Enter Windows 10 Recovery Environment through force reboot, then select [Troubleshoot].
select troubleshoot in windows safe mode
③ Select [Advanced Options] > [Startup Settings].
select startup settings in advanced options
④ Click [Restart] at the bottom-right to reboot the system.
clcik to restart PC in startup settings
⑤ Select to boot from one of the safe mode in the [Startup Settings] list.
startup settings windows 10 safe mode
Reminder: The above steps will stop the routine boot and enter safe mode quickly, which may damage your PC. Therefore, it is not a smart choice to work.

Method 2: Use Windows Installation Disk to Enter Safe Mode

You can enter the Windows 10 safe mode through the command prompt.
① Connect Windows installation disk with PC (if you don’t have any Windows Installation disk, please refer to the method in How to Boot Windows from USB Flash Drive ”). First, you should boot your PC, then set the system to boot from Windows Installation disk (USB flash drive) in BIOS.
change boot order
② When the system successfully boots through the installation disk, choose [Repair your Computer] at the bottom-left.
Repair your computer
③ Select [Troubleshoot] > [Advanced Options] > [Command Prompt] after getting access to Windows Recovery Environment.
command prompt
④ Input [bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal] in the command prompt window; then press [Enter].
windows safe mode enter 6
⑤ Close the command box when the last step is finished; then, select [Continue] to reboot the system. You will enter safe boot after the reboot.
selec to run windows recovery options screen troubleshoot
Reminder: Windows 10 will enter safe mode automatically when you’ve followed the above steps. If you want the routine boot again, please open the command prompt according to the above step, and then input [bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot] to cancel safe mode.

2. Solutions When Windows and Safe Mode Fails to Boot

If you fail to enter the Windows system or safe mode, you can run system file recover or system restore as follows.

Method 1: Run sfc/scannow to Recover System File

① Connect Windows Installation disk with PC, then boot the system. (if you don’t have any Windows installation disk, please refer to the method in "How to Boot Windows from USB Flash Drive".
remove external device
② Set the system to boot from USB in BIOS.
change boot order
③ Select [Repair your computer] when the system boots from it.
Repair your computer
④ Enter Windows Recovery Environment, then select [Troubleshoot] > [Advanced Options] > [Command Prompt].
command prompt
⑤ Open the command prompt, then input [sfc/scannow] and press [Enter].
Check and fix system files Windows 10

Method 2: Restore System in Windows Recovery Environment

① When the Windows logo occurs, press the reset button three times to enter Windows Recovery Environment; then select [Troubleshoot].
select troubleshoot in windows safe mode
② Select [Advanced Options] > [System Restore]. Choose the latest restore point to restore system.
select system restore in windows system to fix windows 10 error

3. Use Renee Passnow to Transfer Important Files

During the system recovery, some files may be lost. It is suggested that you should use data transfer in Renee Passnow to transfer your important files!
Friendly reminder: You needn’t to boot the Windows system when you use Renee Passnow to copy files in all disks. It facilitates you to transfer all or partial files to the internal or external hard disk or any removable memory device.

Besides, you can transfer files and save lost files when the system doesn’t boot. You can also remove Window log-in password without any information loss.

Download Renee Undeleter Windows Version

① Download and install Renee Passnow in another trouble-free PC.
② Open the software. Select one option from [Crate a Live USB] and [Create a Live CD]. Then, select [x64] or [x86] according to your computer. Next, click on [Download Now] to download the licensed ISO. Remember to activate the software beforehand. After that, click on [Create USB] to create the boot media.
use renee passnow to create usb to reset passnword
③ Boot the targeted PC and enter BIOS, and then set it to boot from the live USB.
change boot order
④ When the PC boots from it, choose [Data Transfer] to run.
data transfer function in Renee Passnow
⑤ Select the original disk and the targeted hard disk; drag the files to the targeted one.
run data transfer function in renee passnow