How Do You Use Safe Mode on Your Windows PC?

Sometimes on your PC you will come across system issues that are troublesome, but you don't know the source of the error. You want to resolve your computer's problems, however you don't want to lose your data or cause further damage. How will you determine the fault safely? This is the role for safe mode.

Safe mode is a nifty feature that determines whether the issue is caused by the Windows program itself or by the other PC functions such as, the device driver or other related software. Once you enter safe mode, you can actively troubleshoot in Windows while the computer's hardware is impaired to narrow down the problem. However, navigating safe mode can be overwhelming, but safe mode has three stages of diagnosing the problem in Windows for you to operate.

First, you have the 'diagnostic mode' which is fairly similar to the Windows interface. Second, there is the 'safe boot'. When you enter this mode, it dwindles the amount of drivers loaded and alters the appearance of Windows different from diagnostic mode. Third, you have the 'safe boot alternate shell' which is the same as command prompt. If you are familiar with the commands here, this will prove useful for fixing issues.

If you have small problems with your PC, it would be best to restart in diagnostic mode and here's how. First, click the windows key < Type system configuration < Select the System Configuration Desktop app < Under General tab, select Diagnostic Startup & click OK < Finally select Restart. In this mode, the appearance has the Windows desktop look, however the network and audio drivers are inactive. When you've completed troubleshooting, just restart Windows.

If you need to troubleshoot your computer, but don't want to risk harming the software or your data, safe boot would be your best option. First go to the MSCONFIG utility link from the System Configuration app < Select the Boot tab < Set a check mark by Safe Boot & make sure that the Minimal choice is selected < Click OK & select Restart. In this mode, Windows will continue to begin in safe boot mode until you reselect this option in the MSCONFIG utility.

What happens upon starting your PC and it goes into safe mode by itself? This is your computer telling you that something isn't right with your system. Usually a message will show on your screen telling you to follow instructions to resolve the problem. If a message doesn't show, check to see if you recently installed any hardware or software. If this is the case, you may have to remove a recent program or execute the System Restore function to erase new changes to Windows. When you've resolved the matter, restart your PC and it should start ordinarily.

Here are some guidelines to monitor problems in safe mode. If your system is functioning well in safe mode, then the issue lies either in a startup service, a driver, or hardware issue that's non-related to Windows. You can remove malware and uninstall faulty programs that may be preventing you from exiting safe mode. However, if you still have problems in safe mode, then it's likely that the issue stems from your hardware.

Also, there is a way for you to monitor the record of repaired issues and actions in safe mode. You can check these logs in a file called CBS.log. To access this file you press Win+E < Erase any text in the address bar and type %windir%\logs and enter( This variable depicts the folder that the Windows operating system is placed here) < Once you open the CBS folder, select the CBS log file. Here you will see logfile texts listing the repaired and non-repaired problems in safe mode. I hope you have found great use from this in safely fixing your Windows issues.