How to Restart in safe mode

Restart / Reboot in Safemode

There are situation that require you to reboot your computer in safe mode. Safe mode in Windows is a special booting option that allows you log in to windows using minimum set of device drivers and limited functionality. If you have problems with hardware device drivers, virus problems, software problems, installation issues with some applications, registry errors you need to reboot computer in safe mode.

In safe mode you will get access to Administrator login and System Recovery. System Recovery is the option introduced in Windows XP, where you can rollback to previous state after installing a new device or application. Driver roll back is a different thing. In driver rollback, after installing / updating a new version of device driver, and system becomes unstable, you can rollback to previous version of the driver. In System Recovery, after installing /altering critical files / applications, after making registry changes, you can roll back to previous state with simple click of a mouse using system Recovery console.

In Windows XP, when using Safe mode option, the system will ask whether to use System Recovery option or start using computer in Safe Mode? If you click 'Yes' you can use your computer in safe mode. If you click No you will be taken to System Recovery where you get the option to Previous check point at specified date and time.

Ok. How to boot into safe mode? While restarting / booting your computer press F8 key repeatedly. You will get a boot menu with several options. Select 'Safe Mode' or 'Safe Mode with Networking'. Windows xp will start in safe mode.

In safe mode you can remove problematic device drivers using Device Manager. You can even remove display adapters. You can uninstall problematic software, anti-virus programs etc.

In Windows 98, safe mode will not give access to CD Drives, but in Windows XP you can use CD/DVD drives while working in Safe mode. Printers won't work in safe mode.