Can't boot Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 in Safe Mode? Are you pressing F8 or Shift + F8 but it doesn't get you anywhere? The loading of the new operating system from Microsoft has become so fast that it is not always possible to interrupt it with keystrokes.
You can enter safe mode Windows 8 or 8.1 in 5 different ways, any of them will allow you to start the system on Windows 8-8.1 safely!
Safe Mode in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 is practically the same as in earlier versions of the OS.
The operating system still only loads the most basic drivers and services. The only noticeable difference is that the minimum screen resolution in Safe Mode has increased from 800x600 pixels to 1024x768 pixels.
1. Use the System Configuration tool (Msconfig.exe)
As with, the easiest way to boot into Safe Mode is to use System Configuration, also known as msconfig.exe.
Run it, go to the "Boot" tab and activate the "Safe Mode" option in the boot options. Then click on the "OK" button.
Next, you will see a message that you need to restart your computer. Click Restart or Quit without restarting, depending on whether you want your computer to restart now or later.
The next time you start Windows 8 (Windows 8.1) will boot into Safe Mode.
2. Use the combination Shift + Restart
Press the power button on the Windows logon screen or in the Settings Charm. Then press and hold the SHIFT key on your keyboard and hit Restart.
Windows will prompt you for an option. Select "Diagnostics".
On the Diagnostics screen, click the More Options button.
On the screen with more options, click Boot Options.
When your computer restarts, a list of 9 options will appear on the screen, including three types of Safe Mode.
Press F4 on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode, F5 to enable Safe Mode with Network Driver Support, and F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. After that, Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 will boot according to your choice.
3. Boot into Safe Mode using the System Recovery CD / DVD (Windows 8 only)
On Windows 8, but not Windows 8.1, you can. So, if you have such a disk, you can boot from it.
After booting from the recovery disc, you will be prompted to select a keyboard layout. Choose the one you want to use. Then you will see the options screen. All further steps will be identical to those described in method 2.
4. Boot into Safe Mode using USB for System Recovery
Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 allow. Detailed instructions can be found at the link. Using such a disk, you can also boot the OS in safe mode. To do this, boot from your USB system recovery drive and follow the instructions from the previous method.
5. Use F8 or Shift + F8 (does not work when using UEFI BIOS and SSD)
In the case of Windows 7, just press F8 just before starting the operating system to get to the menu with additional boot options, from where you can already boot the operating system in safe mode.
For Windows 8 and 8.1, some sites advise using the Shift + F8 keyboard shortcut, which launches recovery mode, which allows you to boot into safe mode. However, the problem is that neither Shift + F8 nor just F8 often work.
In a post on its official blog, Microsoft explains that this behavior is due to a very fast boot process. Steve Sinofsky once said: “Windows 8 has a problem. It loads too fast, so fast that in fact you simply don't have time to interrupt its download when you turn on your PC. The operating system simply does not have time to detect when the F2 or F8 keys are pressed. "
In general, if you have a modern computer with UEFI BIOS and SSD, you are unlikely to be able to interrupt the boot process with keystrokes. On older PCs with classic BIOS and no SSD, pressing these keys still works.
Have a great day!
Practically no different from what it was in earlier versions of operating systems. The operating system, as before, loads only the most basic drivers and services. The only difference is that the minimum screen resolution in Safe Mode has increased from 800x600 pixels to 1024x768 pixels.
To run the tool system configuration press the keyboard shortcut + R in the window that opens Execute enter the msconfig command and press the key Enter↵
In the opened window system configuration go to the tab, select the operating system you want to boot in safe mode (if you have several of them), check the box Safe mode and press the button OK
Next, a window will appear with a message stating that you need to restart your computer. Click or Exit without reboot- depending on whether you want the computer to be restarted now or later.
The next time you start Windows 8, Windows 8.1 will boot into Safe Mode.
Press power button on the Windows login screen or in the panel Parameters (Settings charm). Then press and hold the button ⇑ Shift on the keyboard and press
After rebooting in the window Action selection select an option Diagnostics
In the window Diagnostics choose Extra options
In the window Boot options you will see a list with several parameters, including Enable Safe Mode.
Click on Reboot
When the computer restarts, a list of 9 options will appear on the screen, including three types of safe mode.
Press the key on the keyboard F4 to enable safe mode.
F5 to enable Safe Mode with Network Driver Support.
Press the key on the keyboard F6 to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
After that Windows 8, Windows 8.1 will be loaded according to your choice.
In Windows 8, but not Windows 8.1, you can create a system repair disc and boot from it.
After booting from the recovery disc, you will be prompted to select a keyboard layout. Choose the one you want to use. Then you will see the options screen. All further steps will be identical to those described in the method above.
Windows 8, Windows 8.1 allow you to create a system recovery disc on a USB drive. You can read the detailed instructions. Using such a disk, you can also boot the operating system in safe mode. To do this, boot from your USB system recovery drive and follow the instructions from the previous method.
(does not work when using UEFI BIOS and SSD)
In Windows 7, it was enough to press F8 just before starting the operating system to get to the menu with additional boot options, from where you can already boot the operating system in safe mode.
For Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, some sources advise using the key combination ⇑ Shift + F8, which starts the recovery mode, which allows you to boot into safe mode. However, the problem is that neither ⇑ Shift + F8 nor just F8 often do not work.
On their official blog, Microsoft explains that this behavior is due to a very fast boot process. Steve Sinofsky said: Windows 8 has a problem. It loads too fast, so fast that in fact you simply don’t have time to interrupt its loading when you turn on your computer. The operating system simply does not have time to detect the pressing of the F2 or F8 keys.
If you have a modern computer with UEFI BIOS and SSD, you are unlikely to be able to interrupt the boot process with keystrokes. On older computers with classic BIOS and no SSD, pressing these keys still works.
How to enter Windows 8 Safe Mode !?
Safe boot mode of the operating system is an option to load the minimum required number of functions and software.
When logging in from Safe Mode, a label is displayed in the corners of the screen.
This is used to diagnose system problems. The absence of a problem when running in Safe Mode allows essential services to be excluded from the expected cause.
Also, a large number of problems can be eliminated only from.
There are several possibilities to initiate the start of the system in this format. For this, both a simple keyboard shortcut and a bootable optical / flash drive are used.
Method # 1: Keyboard shortcut at boot time
This option is known to most confident users of early OS versions who know how to enter Safe Mode. windows 8 while loading.
It consists of a few quick presses of "F8" before the system boots.
In some cases, you will need to use "Shift + F8". As a result, a screen with a list of boot options should appear.
Using the arrow buttons, select the "Safe Mode" item and confirm the selection with the "Enter" key.
In the latest version of the operating system, this option may not be compatible on all PCs.
If you cannot use the above-mentioned combination of buttons, then you should take the following actions:
After these manipulations, loading can be done using hot keys.
The described method will help answer the question of how to enter windows 8 safe mode on an hp laptop.
Method # 2: OS Configuration Tool
To call the utility to configure the operating system parameters, you need to press "Win + R". This action will open an execution line in which you need to write "msconfig".
After pressing "Enter" or "OK", the settings window will appear directly. In it you need to open the "Download" tab.
At the bottom of the window, in the Boot Options field, you must select the Safe Boot and Minimal items.
After agreeing with all of the above settings, you will be prompted to reboot.
It can be confirmed or postponed. This will allow the computer to apply the settings after the first OS restart.
Note! The system will always boot in safe mode until the user deselects the boot options. After fixing the problems, it is important not to forget to return the settings to normal.
Method number 3: Diagnostic tools
If you need to activate the buffer format of a running OS, then it is better to use the following method. To do this, you need the "Options" button on the sidebar.
Then you need to select "Shutdown" and, with the "Shift" button held down, click on the "Restart" item.
These actions will launch a diagnostic screen. On the "Select action" screen, click on "Diagnostics".
In the "Diagnostics" window, you will need to open "Advanced options".
On this screen, select the "Boot Options" item.
Here you will see a list of conditions in which the OS will boot. After familiarizing yourself with the parameters, you need to click the "Restart" button.
In the next step, the diagnostic program will provide several boot options. The selection is carried out using the "F1-F9" keys.
The fourth item is required in the list, that is, you need to press F4.
After these manipulations, the computer will boot in safe mode and it will be possible to perform the necessary actions.
Some users think: "how to enter windows 8 safe mode through BIOS?".
So it is impossible to do this, because the BIOS is not associated with the OS.
Safe Mode is one of the boot options for the operating system. It runs with a minimal set of basic drivers providing limited functionality. In this state, the system is used to troubleshoot hardware or software problems. In this article, we will tell you how to enter Windows 8 Safe Mode and what options it opens to the user.
Traditionally, hotkeys have been used to select this boot option. By pressing the F8 button or the Shift + F8 combination at the stage of OS startup, the user called up an additional menu of modes. In Windows 8.1, this method does not work due to the reduction in boot time at the initial stage. Let's see what solution Microsoft offers in this situation.
Shutdown menu
The easiest way to quickly enter Safe Mode is to use the shutdown menu.
- We use the "Start" button to go to the "tiled" interface. There is a small menu in the upper right corner. Click on the shutdown icon, and while holding down the Shift key on the keyboard, select the "Restart" item marked with a frame.
- Similar actions can be performed in the side menu. Open the charms bar with the Win + C keyboard shortcut. We press the very bottom.
- On the panel that opens, select the shutdown option. In the shutdown context menu, go to the "Restart" item. Click on it while holding the physical Shift key on the keyboard.
Thus, after turning off the system, we can quickly switch to "Safe Mode".
System parameters
Another option is to go to a reboot menu specially designed by Microsoft.
- We use the "Parameters" button. On the panel that opens, click the hyperlink indicated in the screenshot.
- We use the navigation pane to navigate to the last item in the list.
- We select the "Recovery" option. The button marked with the number “2” will appear in the right part of the window. With its help, you can restart your computer and enter the system already in safe mode.
This option was introduced in Windows 8 to replace the keyboard shortcuts used in earlier versions of the OS.
Configuration utility
The configuration utility is included with all Microsoft operating systems. One of the functions it performs is the choice of the OS boot option.
- Open the Power User Menu using the Win + X combination. Run the system command "Run" and enter "msconfig" in the text box.
- Go to the "Download" tab and set the switch to the position indicated in the screenshot. We apply the changes made.
- By closing the configuration utility, we will receive a notification that the changes will take effect after the OS is restarted. Since we deliberately chose the option to use Safe Mode, we agree. Press the marked button to complete the operation.
By changing configuration parameters, Windows can be loaded with a minimal set of drivers, in command line mode, or with network connectivity.
External media
The above methods are suitable when the OS boots in normal mode and we can use the graphical interface. If you cannot log in as usual, you can boot your computer into Safe Mode using a recovery disc or a bootable USB flash drive.
- We set the correct boot priority in BIOS. The first should be our boot device: USB stick or DVD. When the system starts from it, a window with a choice of regional settings will appear. We skip it by clicking on the "Next" button.
- In the next window, select the "System Restore" option indicated in the screenshot.
- The action selection menu appears. We open the marked section.
- We select "Additional parameters".
- At this stage, we need to run the command line.
- We type the line "bcdedit / set advancedoptions true". As a result of its execution, the system will display an extended menu of parameters each time it boots.
- Parameter selection is available only from the keyboard. Three Safe Mode options are highlighted in a box. To enable the desired one, use the F4, F5 or F6 keys.
- A significant drawback of this method is that the extended menu will now appear constantly when the OS boots. To turn it off, you need to enter Safe mode again and type the command:
After completing it, the system starts up as usual.
Restore to factory settings
In addition to the standard keyboard shortcuts provided in Windows, manufacturers often use additional ones. With their help, the user can enable the recovery mode of the preinstalled OS on the laptop. In terms of functionality, it is similar to the system one. It can be used when the laptop is operated with the factory version of Windows. If the OS has been reinstalled or updated to a more modern one, you can forget about this method. Just in case, here are some of the most frequently used keyboard shortcuts:
- Shift + F9 or Ctrl + F9 - for ASUS laptops;
- Alt + F10 - Acer Aspire and some other models from this manufacturer;
- Shift + F4 or Del - in devices manufactured by Samsung.
The combinations may vary depending on the model and year of manufacture. To find out how to enter the Recovery menu of a particular laptop, it is better through the manufacturer's website or in the technical documentation.
Safe Mode menu
Having dealt with the login options, let's take a closer look at the safe mode menu. On the main page, we have four parameters. The former will return us to normal operation, and the latter will turn off the PC. The contents of the second and third sections are shown in the following screenshots.
The "Use device" section is related to the UEFI firmware settings and contains the following items:
- DVD / CD. Work with a connected external drive of the appropriate format;
- Hard Drive. Reading data from an external hard drive;
- Internal Shell. Allows you to find and activate the EFI bootloader on external devices. By selecting this item, we can start the installation of the operating system from a bootable USB flash drive.
- Restore. OS reinstallation to fix errors. It is performed without loss of user data;
- Return to original state. Complete erasure of user data from the hard disk and reinstallation of the system "from scratch";
- Extra options. Contains a submenu, which is shown in the following screenshot.
- OS recovery. Using the System Recovery function. Returning the system to a saved state;
- OS recovery from an image. Using a previously prepared backup copy to return the system to a saved state;
- Startup recovery. Correction of problems in the HDD boot sector;
- Command line. Mode of operation without GUI, using console commands.
- Boot options. Bootloader information menu.
The last window contains a list of options that will become available by clicking on the "Restart" button.
You can only exit safe mode by returning to the start page.
Finally
Using the instructions provided, you can, if necessary, independently enter "Safe Mode", navigate the menu, and select the tools necessary for a specific situation.
Video instructions
In the videos below, you can see how to enable and use Safe Mode using the techniques described.
In Windows 8, Safe Mode has been significantly changed to make it more functional and user-friendly. Now, when problems arise with the operation of the operating system, the user has access to several utilities that simplify the diagnosis and recovery of the operating system.
Booting into Safe Mode is one of the most important steps in troubleshooting computer problems. It is it that most users use when errors appear in the system. However, the standard way to load Safe Mode in all Windows operating systems up to the eighth version is to restart the computer and press the F8 button repeatedly, after which a black screen appears with a list of OS boot modes, among which you can select Safe.
In Windows 8, the way to boot Safe Mode has been slightly changed, so users who tried to get into Safe Mode in the usual way encountered some difficulties. The fact is that pressing the F8 key while Windows 8 boots up leads to the launch of the automatic recovery mode.
In order to open the menu of modes and system recovery, you should press not F8, but the Shift + F8 key combination. When the system boots, you need to hold down the Shift button and press the F8 key several times.
However, due to some peculiarities of Windows 8, it can be difficult to start Safe Mode in this way, so if the system on the computer is working, it will be much easier to use the special utilities built into the system.
Opening Safe Mode from a running Windows 8 system using the msconfig utility
Safe Mode can also be started from a running operating system. To do this, call the window for requesting the execution of programs by pressing the Win + R keys. In the window that appears, enter msconfig and press Enter. In the window that opens, go to the Boot tab and check the Safe Boot box.
In the list below, you can select one of the Safe Mode types. The Minimal mode is the normal safe mode. Another Shell (Alternate Shell) is Safe Mode that supports command line. Network is Safe Mode with Networking.
After you have selected the most suitable type of Safe Mode, click OK and confirm the need to reboot the system.
After that, the system will automatically boot into Safe Mode. Once you've set these settings, Windows 8 will always boot into Safe Mode when you turn on your computer. To stop this, reopen the msconfig utility window and uncheck the box next to Safe Mode.
Opening the Diagnostics menu in Windows 8
There is another way to open Safe Mode in Windows 8, which also requires a working operating system. Press the key combination Win + I and in the blue window that appears, click on the Shutdown option while holding down the Shift key. A small menu will appear where you should select the Restart option.
In the next windows, in order, select Diagnostics - Additional parameters - Boot parameters.
Reboot the system, after which you will see a window showing several modes, you can select one of which using the F1-F9 keys.
Let's take a closer look at each of the available modes.
By pressing the F4 key, the most limited Safe Mode is available, in which, after starting the system, only the drivers necessary for Windows 8 work. Neither the Internet nor the local network will be available to you.
Press the F5 key to start Safe Mode with loading network drivers - the best solution for most tasks. You can go online and continue looking for a solution to your problem or download the necessary patches and utilities. Most often this mode is used to update the antivirus.
The F6 key starts Safe Mode with command line support. This mode does not support a graphical interface, so you will need to enter all the necessary commands into the command line.
To return to the start window from Safe Mode, press the Alt key.
Windows 8 Safe Mode boot keys
To return the Safe Modes menu boot option to the F8 key, you must modify the BCD boot configuration data file. To do this, open a command prompt as administrator and enter the bcdedit / deletevalue (current) bootmenupolicy command into it.
After the message "Operation completed" appears in the black window, close the command line and restart the computer. Press F8 several times while booting. A familiar window will appear where you can select Safe Mode.
To undo your changes, reopen the Command Prompt and enter the command bcdedit / set (current) bootmenupolicy standart.
Another way to make changes to the BCD boot configuration data file is to type bcdedit / set (bootmgr) displaybootmenu yes at a command prompt.
You can restore the system boot to standard boot using the bcdedit / set (bootmgr) displaybootmenu no command.
The latter method is most suitable for devices and PCs where Windows 8 boots so quickly that it does not have time to respond either to pressing F8 or to the Shift + F8 key combination.
Why doesn't the F8 key work?
In some cases, opening Safe Mode or Automatic Repair fails after pressing either the F8 key or the Shift + F8 combination. After reading the message from the official Microsoft website, you can find out that this is due to too fast loading of Windows 8, which does not even have time to detect the pressing of the F8 or F2 keys.
A fast modern computer equipped with UEFI BIOS and an SSD where the operating system is installed may not allow you to use the function keys to open Safe Mode. However, the OS boot on older computers with a standard BIOS and an operating system installed on the HDD hard drive is not fast enough that Windows 8 does not have time to detect keystrokes.
How to Avoid the Difficulty of Fast Booting Windows 8
To prevent problems with Shift + F8 booting into Safe Mode in advance, you should modify the BCD boot configuration data file with the above bcdedit / set (bootmgr) displaybootmenu yes command, rather than roll back the changes.
In this case, you will always be able to easily get into Safe Mode, even if Windows 8 does not boot in standard mode. This solution, of course, has the disadvantage that now every time you boot the system, you will see a black screen and press the Enter key to start it. You will have to decide on your own which solution is more convenient for you.
Some users prefer to intentionally crash the operating system by turning off their computer or laptop using the power button. In this case, during the next boot of the system, a window for its recovery and diagnostics will appear, where you can select Safe Mode.
However, this method is extremely dangerous not only for the installed system, but also for the data stored on the computer.
Entering Windows 8 Safe Mode using a recovery disc
If the system does not boot, and the Shift + F8 key combination does not allow you to access the system recovery menu, the best solution is to use a Windows boot disk, which will help you open Safe Mode when other methods have failed.
After you boot your computer from a recovery disc or Windows 8 installation disc, click Next.
A window will appear in front of you, at the bottom of which there is a link to System Restore. We click on it.
The familiar Select Action window opens.
We go along the path Diagnostics - Additional parameters.
There is no Boot Options icon in the window, so open a command prompt. In the black window that appears, enter the bcdedit / set (globalsettings) advancedoptions true command.
Close the command line. We select the menu item Continue.
Now, Safe Mode will always be launched when the system boots. To fix this, enter the bcdedit / deletevalue (globalsettings) advancedoptions command on the command line.
