WHAT IS SAFE MODE IN COMPUTER ?

What is safe mode?

WHAT IS SAFE MODE IN COMPUTER ?

Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started. The words Safe Mode appear in the corners of your monitor to identify which Windows mode you're using.

If an existing problem doesn't reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. If you don't know the cause of the problem, you can use the process of elimination to help you find the problem. Try starting all of the programs you commonly use, including the programs in your Startup folder, one by one to see if a program might be the cause of the problem.

If your computer automatically starts in safe mode without prompting, a problem with your computer might be preventing Windows from starting normally. If you think the cause of the problem might be a recently installed program or device, try using Recovery in Control Panel. For more information, see What is Recovery?

For more information about working in safe mode, see the following Help topics:

·         Advanced startup options (including safe mode)

·         Start your computer in safe mode

·         Diagnostic tools to use in safe mode

·         Troubleshooting problems while in safe mode

·         Which drivers get loaded in safe mode?

Advanced startup options (including safe mode)

The Advanced Boot Options screen lets you start Windows in advanced troubleshooting modes. You can access the menu by turning on your computer and pressing the F8 key before Windows starts.

Some options, such as safe mode, start Windows in a limited state, where only the bare essentials are started. If a problem doesn't reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers and services as possible causes. Other options start Windows with advanced features intended for use by system administrators and IT professionals. For more information, go to the Microsoft website for IT professionals.

•  Repair Your Computer
•  Safe Mode
•  Safe Mode with Networking
•  Safe Mode with Command Prompt
•  Enable Boot Logging
•  Enable low-resolution video (640×480)
•  Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)
•  Directory Services Restore Mode
•  Debugging Mode
•  Disable automatic restart on system failure
•  Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
•  Start Windows Normally

Start your computer in safe mode

Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs don't run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed. For more information, see What is safe mode?

Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. If a problem doesn't reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. If a recently installed program, device, or driver prevents Windows from running correctly, you can start your computer in safe mode and then remove the program that's causing the problem. For more information about troubleshooting problems in safe mode, see Diagnostic tools to use in safe mode.

1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
   Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Shut Down button , and then click Restart.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
   • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press Enter. For more information about options, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
4. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your monitor. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.

Diagnostic tools to use in safe mode

When using safe mode to troubleshoot problems with your computer, you might find the following tools and features helpful.

• Click to open Recovery.
  You can use Recovery to restore the state of your computer's system to a previous point in time, or restore the contents of your hard disk from a backup. You can also reinstall Windows from a recovery image installed on your hard disk. For more information, see What is Recovery?
•  Click to open Control Panel.
  You can use Control Panel to access various tools for changing settings in Windows.
• Click to open Device Manager.‌  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  You can use Device Manager to update device drivers and configure hardware installed on your computer. You must be logged on as an administrator to use this program. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can change only settings that apply to your user account.
•  Click to open Event Viewer. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  You can use Event Viewer to view detailed entries about system and program events on your computer. You must be logged on as an administrator to use this program. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can change only settings that apply to your user account. For more information, see What information appears in event logs (Event Viewer)?
•  Click to open System Information.
  You can use System Information to view details about your computer's hardware configuration, components, and drivers. For more information, see What is System Information?
• Click to open Command Prompt.
  Advanced users can use the Command Prompt window to use command line tools. You must be logged on as an administrator to use this program. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can change only settings that apply to your user account. For more information, see Command Prompt: frequently asked questions.
•  Click to open Registry Editor.‌  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  Advanced users can use Registry Editor to make changes to Windows registry files. You must be logged on as an administrator to use this program. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can change settings that only apply to your user account. For more information, see What is Registry Editor?

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Which drivers get loaded in safe mode?

Safe mode starts Windows with only the basic drivers and services listed here.

For more information about these items, go to the Microsoft website for IT professionals.

 Devices and drivers that start in safe mode

• Floppy disk drives (internal and USB)
• Internal CD-ROM drives (ATA, SCSI)
• External CD-ROM drives (USB)
• Internal DVD-ROM drives (ATA, SCSI)
• External DVD-ROM drives (USB)
• Internal hard disk drives (ATA, SATA, SCSI)
• External hard disk drives (USB)
• Keyboards (USB, PS/2, serial)
• Mice (USB, PS/2, serial)
• VGA display cards (PCI, AGP)

 Windows services that start in safe mode

• Windows event log
• Plug and Play
• Remote procedure call (WPC)
• Cryptographic Services
• Windows Defender
• Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)

 Network-related devices and services that start in safe mode with networking

• Network adapters (wired Ethernet and wireless 802.11x)
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
• DNS
• Network connections
• TCP/IP-NetBIOS Helper
• Windows Firewall