How to enter safe mode in Windows - ThinkPad
How to Enter Safe Mode in Windows 10 on Your ThinkPad - Enhance Your System's Safety and Performance
How to Enter Safe Mode in Windows 10 on Your ThinkPad - Enhance Your System's Safety and Performance
Symptom
There are several ways to enter safe mode. If the PC does not start normally, see From a black or blank screen: Start your PC in safe mode in Windows in Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Applicable Brands
ThinkPad
Solution
There are two versions of safe mode: Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking. They are similar, but Safe Mode with Networking includes the network drivers and services needed to access the Internet and other computers on the network.
The following sections describe how to start the PC in safe mode. Note: To leave safe mode, try restarting the system.
Use Shift+Restart
- Press Windows logo key + X on the keyboard.
- Hold the Shift key while clicking Restart from Shut down or sign out menu.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings >Restart.
- After the PC restarts, a list of options will be shown. Select 4 or F4 or Fn+F4 (following the on-screen instructions) to start the PC in Safe Mode. If using the Internet, select 5 or F5 or Fn+F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
From Settings
- Press Windows logo key + I on the keyboard to open Settings. If that does not work, right-click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the screen, then select Settings.
- Select Update & security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- After the PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings >Restart.
- After the PC restarts, a list of options is shown. Select 4 or F4 to start the PC in Safe Mode. If using the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
From the sign–in screen
- Restart the PC. At the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while selecting Power > Restart.
- After the PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After the PC restarts, a list of options is shown. Select 4 or F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode. If using the Internet, select 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
Press Windows key + R (force Windows to start into safe mode every time you reboot the PC)
Note: To perform these steps you need to be attached to a detachable keyboard.
- Press the Windows Key + R.
- Type msconfig in the dialog box.
- Select the Boot tab.
- Select the Safe Boot option and click Apply.
- Choose Restart to apply the changes when the System Configuration window pops up.
Note: Once done using Safe Mode, go back in and undo the Safe Boot option.
From a blank or black screen
For detailed information, see Start your PC in safe mode in Windows.
- Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your system.
- Press the power button again to turn on the system.
- On the first sign that Windows has started (such as a Lenovo logo or other logo), hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off the system.
- Press the power button again to turn on the system.
- When Windows restarts, hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off the system.
- Press the power button again to turn on the system.
- Allow the system to fully restart. You will enter winRE.
- On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After your system restarts, select option 5 from the list or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
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