Windows can automatically go into recovery mode when something goes wrong at startup. Sometimes users want to go into Windows 10 recovery mode intentionally but may not know how to do it.
This article will explain to you a few ways to enter Windows 10 recovery mode and troubleshoot problems using various troubleshooting and diagnostic tools such as System restore, startup repair, and UEFI firmware.
Here are a few methods containing advanced options by tweaking default settings to start Windows in safe mode and perform necessary actions.
- Enter Windows Safe Mode From The Settings App
- Enter Windows Safe Mode Using The Shutdown Command In Cmd
- Enter The Safe Mode In Windows 10 Using “Shift And Restart” On The Sign-in Screen
- Enter Safe Mode By Interrupting The Typical Boot Sequence
- Enter Windows Safe Mode Using Installation Media
- Enter Windows Safe Mode By Booting From A Recovery Drive
- Enter Windows Safe Mode Using System Configuration
Fix 1. Enter Windows Safe Mode from the Settings app
In case you can log in to Windows, you can follow this method to enter Windows recovery mode from the Settings app.
Step 1. Simultaneously press Windows + I key to open the Settings app and select the Update & Security section.
Step 2. Scroll down to the Recovery tab and click the Restart now button under the Advanced startup settings.
Step 3. Select Troubleshoot and follow steps 3-5 of Fix 1 to boot windows on the next screen.
If you cannot enter Windows 10 recovery mode using this method, you can follow the next method.
Fix 2. Enter Windows Safe Mode Using The Shutdown Command In CMD
Windows 10 allows users to enter recovery mode using command prompt commands.
Step 1. Press the Windows icon key and type the command prompt in the search box.
Step 2. Right-click on the shortcut and click on Run as administrator.
Step 3. In the command prompt, type shutdown.exe /r /o in the command line.
Step 4. Windows 10 will shut down and reboot in the Windows recovery environment.
Step 5. When Windows 10 loads, it will ask you to choose an option. Select Troubleshoot and follow steps 3-5 of Fix 1 to boot windows on the next screen.
If you cannot enter Windows 10 recovery using this method, you can follow the next method.
Fix 3. Enter The Safe Mode In Windows 10 Using “Shift And Restart” On The Sign-in Screen
If you cannot log in to Windows, you can use the Shift key + Restart to enter recovery. Alternatively, if you can log in, you can perform the below steps using the start menu’s Restart option.
Step 1. In the login screen, tap the power button and press Restart while you hold the shift key.
Step 2. Choose troubleshoot in the next window and then choose Advanced options in the next.
Step 3. Select Startup settings in the advanced boot options screen. Tap See more recovery options if you are unable to find them.
Step 4. Choose the option with which you want to restart Windows. Use the number or function keys to navigate the options.
Step 5. Once chosen, press Restart.
If you cannot enter Windows 10 recovery using this method, you can follow the following procedure.
Fix 4. Enter Windows 10’s Safe Recovery Mode By Interrupting The Typical Boot Sequence (Three Times In A Row)
Windows automatically enters the Automatic Repair stage if its booting sequence is interrupted more than three times in a row.
Step 1. Please press the power button to start your computer. When the Windows logo appears, press the power button again for at least 4 seconds to shut down the system.
Step 2. Repeat the above step three times until you see the Preparing Automatic Repair screen.
Step 3. Choose your account and enter a password to enter recovery.
Step 4. Wait and then click on Advanced startup options in the automatic repair window.
Step 5. Follow steps 3-5 of Fix 1.
If you cannot enter Windows 10 boot options using this method, follow the following method.
Fix 5. Enter Safe Recovery Mode In Windows 10 Using Media
You can enter the Windows recovery mode using Windows setup USB or DVD. You can create a new recovery media in case you lost the previous one.
Step 1. Boot your Windows 10 PC in safe recovery mode while the USB or DVD is inserted. Choose the language, time, and keyboard layout and click Next.
Step 2. Click on Repair your computer option and then choose Troubleshoot from the next window.
Step 3. Click on the Command Prompt in the Advanced options screen.
Step 4. Type the following command: bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal
in the command line and press enter to execute the operation.
Step 5. Exit the command prompt window and click on Continue.
Step 6. Once you have made the changes, follow steps 1-3 and type bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
to make sure your PC boots normally and is not in safe recovery mode.
If you cannot enter the Windows 10 recovery option using this method, you can follow the next method.
Fix 6. Start Windows 10 In Safe Recovery Mode By Booting From A Recovery Drive
If you have created a USB recovery drive, you can use it to boot Windows.
Step 1. Insert the USB and boot Windows.
Step 2. Choose to load its contents and then choose the keyboard layout.
Step 3. Click Troubleshoot and follow steps 3-5 of Fix 1 to boot windows on the next screen.
If you cannot enter Windows 10 recovery using this method, you can follow the next method to fix problems.
Fix 7. Access Windows 10’s Safe Recovery Mode Using System Configuration (Msconfig.Exe)
In case you are able to log in to Windows, you can enter recovery mode Windows using the System Configuration tool.
Step 1. Please type system configuration in the Windows search box and hit enter.
Step 2. Now, navigate to the Boot tab and tap the Safe boot check box. Click OK.
Step 3. To apply the new settings, Windows 10 will require you to reboot your PC.
Step 4. Windows 10 will now boot in a safe recovery environment.
The above methods would undoubtedly have helped you access the basic state or first screen for boot in your system. Some of the above techniques might differ depending on the PC manufacturer.