How to boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (Windows)

Booting your computer into Safe Mode with Networking causes your computer to load with only the essential drivers and services, thus limiting the impact that software and malware (viruses) have on your computer. Booting in Safe Mode can eliminate problems related to: Antivirus Program Security Settings, Software Issues, and Malware/Spyware

This article provides insight into booting your computer in Safe Mode with Networking for the following Windows Operating Systems:

Did You Know

For Mac (Apple) users, if you need assistance on booting your Apple (Macintosh) computer into Safe Mode, you can find out more on how to do so in the following article: Booting into Safe Mode (Apple).

Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7
To boot your Windows XP, Vista or 7 computer into Safe Mode with Networking you will need to do the following: Power off your computer Restart your computer and immediately start pressing the F8 key, located on your keyboard. Continue to press F8 repeatedly until the Boot Menu appears Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list of options using the arrow keys on your keyboard, followed by the ENTER key Log on to your computer if prompted. Once logged in you will notice that the desktop looks different when compared to booting up your computer in normal mode. Your display may seem enlarged and unclear, but this is normal while in Safe Mode; the desktop will revert back to its previous state when you exit Safe Mode

Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7

To boot your Windows XP, Vista or 7 computer into Safe Mode with Networking you will need to do the following:

Power off your computer
Restart your computer and immediately start pressing the F8 key, located on your keyboard. Continue to press F8 repeatedly until the Boot Menu appears
Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list of options using the arrow keys on your keyboard, followed by the ENTER key
Log on to your computer if prompted. Once logged in you will notice that the desktop looks different when compared to booting up your computer in normal mode. Your display may seem enlarged and unclear, but this is normal while in Safe Mode; the desktop will revert back to its previous state when you exit Safe Mode

Note:

When you are ready to exit Safe Mode, simply restart your computer.

Windows 8.1
To boot your Windows 8.1 computer into Safe Mode with Networking you will need to do the following: Navigate to the desktop on your Windows 8.1 PC Press the WINDOWS Windows 8 Keyboard Icon and "i" key on your keyboard simultaneously, or move your mouse into the top right-hand corner of the screen to bring up your Charms bar Select Settings Select the Power icon, then hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard and select Restart Your PC will now reboot and load the Advanced Start up Menu Choose Troubleshoot Select Advanced Options Select Startup Settings Click Restart Press the F5 key on your keyboard to select 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking

Windows 8.1

To boot your Windows 8.1 computer into Safe Mode with Networking you will need to do the following:

Navigate to the desktop on your Windows 8.1 PC
Press the WINDOWS Windows 8 Keyboard Icon and "i" key on your keyboard simultaneously, or move your mouse into the top right-hand corner of the screen to bring up your Charms bar
Select Settings
Select the Power icon, then hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard and select Restart
Your PC will now reboot and load the Advanced Start up Menu
Choose Troubleshoot
Select Advanced Options
Select Startup Settings
Click Restart
Press the F5 key on your keyboard to select 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking

Windows 10
To boot your Windows 10 computer into Safe Mode with Networking you will need to do the following: Click the Start button or press the Windows key on the keyboard Click Power While holding SHIFT on the keyboard, click Restart Windows will reboot and prompt with a few different options Choose Troubleshoot Choose Advanced Options Choose Startup Settings Click Restart After rebooting, Windows will prompt with several different startup options Choose Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter