How to Start Safe Mode in Windows 7 or Windows Vista

Starting your Computer or PC in Safe mode can help you diagnose and solve the problems affecting your windows startup at ease. If you are experiencing problems in starting the Windows OS normally, safe mode is the best way to check the cause of the problem.

Well, the first step to start Safe Mode in Windows 7 or Windows Vista is to restart or turn on your system. Keep your finger on the F8 button to press it as you dont have much time when the Windows7/Windows Vista black splash screen pops up on the monitor.

Pressing the F8 button will take you to the Advanced Boot Options screen as shown in picture below. If by chance, you miss to press the F8 button in time restart the PC again and follow the same steps.

Don't get scared seeing your mouse not working trying to select the option of Safe mode as you can select the options only through Keyboard clicks using Up and Down arrows. Go to the Safe Mode option and press Enter to start the default safe mode in Windows 7 or Vista.

You can see other options like Safe Mode with Networking which is needed for accessing internet while troubleshooting in safe mode. The option Safe Mode with Command Prompt is needed if you going to do advanced troubleshooting and allows you immediate access to the command prompt. But in most of the cases, startting the default safe mode is enough to resolve the problem.

Once you start Safe mode in Windows, you can see a list of drivers loading up on the screen and it will take a while to complete the process. In case if your system is experiencing some serious problems, the safe mode won't be able to load successfully and you might need to contact an expert to troubleshoot the problem further.

Windows Log on screen will appear on the monitor after the loading of files gets completed and you need to log on with the account having the administrative privileges to diagnose and resolve the problems in safe mode. Don't be shocked to see that the resolution of the screen has been minimised than the normal as the Windows tries to save the energy not using more display.

Use the tools in Control panel, Support system and Help to find what the problem is and make the necessary changes to fix it. Once you are done with the changes, restart the PC or System to exit the Safe mode in Windows and when the splash screen appears dont press anything to let the system start in regular Windows 7 or Windows Vista mode.

Sometimes the F8 button might not get recognized and your computer will try to start as usual loading the regular Windows, in such case you can see the detailed explanation on How to Force Windows 7 or Vista to restart in Safe Mode without using F8 button.