Windows 2000/XP: Safe Boot Mode in Windows

Contributed by mikejc August 24, 2004  
Tagged: Windows

To use a Safe Boot option, follow these steps.

Restart your computer, and when the Boot menu appears, press F8.

When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select an option, and then press ENTER.

When the Boot menu appears again, with the words “Safe Mode” displayed in red at the bottom, select the installation you want to start, and then press ENTER.

mike

Editor Addition–

Some people have problems getting into safe mode by this method for whatever reason. Here’s a harder, alternative method.

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type msconfig in the textbox and press ENTER
4. Click Boot.ini tab
5. Click /Safeboot option
6. Click OK and reboot

You will reboot back into safe mode. Once you are finished, reload msconfig and do the following to get back into regular mode:

1. Load msconfig (as above)
2. Click General tab
3. Click Normal Startup
4. Click OK and reboot