Windows 11 safe mode is a PC troubleshooting tool when some failure of the system itself, the drivers or installed applications and even a malware infection, prevents a standard load of the operating system. It can also be used when the equipment is working properly, as a self-diagnostic function.
Its definition as “failsafe startup‘ or ‘failsafe boot’ is accurate, because that’s what it’s all about. Load only the essential services and drivers that allow us to start the computer, to see there solve the problems that affect the PC and later access the full version of the system without errors.
The version of Windows 11 is very similar to that of Windows 10. Not many changes were needed because in this version Microsoft increased its functions and ways of accessing it and the truth is that it resulted in a very complete tool. His goal remains the same. And you should know it because it is a method that is sometimes essential to get Windows running smoothly without having to adopt more radical methods like restore or reinstall.
Windows 11 safe mode options
This special mode offers three usage options at the user’s choice. We briefly remind you of them to put you in a situation of what you can expect once you access:
- Safe Mode: Windows will start with a minimal set of drivers and services. Network connectivity is also disabled.
- Safe mode with networking: Windows will boot with a basic set of services, but will include the necessary drivers to be able to connect to a local network or the Internet. It only works with wired networks, not wireless Wi-Fi.
- Secure mode with system symbol: for advanced users who do not need the graphical user interface and prefer to access the command line terminal directly to troubleshoot their computer.
How to access safe mode in Windows 11
Here we have to differentiate between two usage situations. The first is when errors exist, but are not critical and we have access to the operating system. The second is when we definitely cannot access the system due to the seriousness of the failures. We discussed several ways to access this mode in both situations.
Setting
If you can boot the computer, the easiest way to access the safe mode of Windows 11 is from the general Configuration tool. Step by Step:
- Press the hotkey combination “Windows + I” to access
- Go to System > Recovery.
- Under Recovery Options select Restart Now.
- When the PC restarts, under Choose an option select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Restart.
- Select the number 4, 5 or 6 to access safe mode.
Lock screen
Safe mode can also be booted from the lock screen:
- Restart the PC.
- On the lock screen press any key to see the options.
- On the login screen, hold down the Shift key and tap on restart.
- The rest of the process is the same as the previous point.
reboots
Windows, by default, boots into the Windows Recovery Environment after three unsuccessful attempts to load the operating system. In this way, the PC can be forced to shut down several times to make the system believe that it cannot start correctly.
- Turn off the computer.
- Press the power button and when it starts charging, press and hold the Power button to force the computer to shut down. Repeat the steps one more time.
- On the third try, press the power button and let Windows load and boot into Windows Recovery Environment.
- The rest of the process is the same as the previous point.
Console
You can also access Windows 11 safe mode using the Windows console. As follows:
- Right-click on the start button and access the command prompt (administrator)
- write the command shutdown.exe /r /o and click on enter.
- Close the popup dialog and Windows will restart in 1 minute.
- The recovery environment will open where you can follow the steps above.
msconfig
One of the most direct options to access the safe mode of Windows 11 is to use this internal tool. For it:
- Press the hotkeys “Win + R” to access the Run application and type msconfig.
- Once in the system configurator, go to the ‘Boot’ tab and enable ‘safe boot’.
- You can select the options you need, such as the basic ‘minimum’ or ‘network’.
- Reboot the system to enter the special mode.
Quick keys
Until Windows 7, access to this special mode was as simple as pressing the “F8” function key at computer startup. Since Windows 8 with the implementation of the new UEFI firmware and the use of solid state drives for internal storage, this path does not usually work on Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines. You can still try it though, as well as another of the shortcuts “Shift + F8”.
The one that does work is the commented “Shift + Restart”. Open the start menu and click on the power button. With the shift key pressed, click on the reset button. You will access another configuration screen that will allow you to access the safe mode.
When Windows 11 won’t boot
The best option in these cases is to use an installation medium. If you follow us regularly, you should know it by heart:
- Go to the Windows 11 download page.
- Select the available option (Windows 11 multi-edition), the Spanish language and download the image “Win11_Spanish_x64v1.iso”.
- Use an empty flash drive with at least 8 GB capacity.
- Download the ‘Rufus’ application (it can be another one you prefer to burn the image).
- Configure the software as in the image and create the bootable pendrive. (If you don’t have TPM or Secure Boot select the second option).
From here on, this installation media will also serve as your access to Windows RE, the recovery mode of which this failsafe mode forms. Simply start with the created USB and before going to the installation section, select the “Repair your computer” link.
As in previous versions, this safe mode of Windows 11 is interesting. A tool designed to perform self-diagnostic tests or solve problems on the PC before having to use more radical methods such as recovery or complete reinstallation of the system.
