How to Start Microsoft Operating system windows 7 in Safe Mode

Starting Microsoft Operating system windows 7 in Safe Mode is an excellent next step when starting Windows normally is not possible. Safe Mode only starts the most important Microsoft Operating system windows 7 processes so, depending on the problem you are having, you might be able to troubleshoot or even fix the problem from here.

To begin entering Microsoft Operating system windows 7 Safe Mode, turn on or restart your PC.
Just before the Microsoft Operating system windows 7 splash screen shown above appears, press the F8 key to enter

Advanced Boot Options.
Choose a Microsoft Operating system windows 7 Safe Mode Option
" Advanced Boot Options Menu "

You should now see the Advanced Boot Options screen. If not, you may have missed the short window of opportunity to press F8 in the previous step and Microsoft Operating system windows 7 is probably now continuing to boot normally assuming it's able to. If this is the case, just restart your computer and try pressing F8 again.

Here you are presented with three variations of Microsoft Operating system windows 7 Safe Mode you may enter:

Safe Mode - This is the default option and is usually the best choice. This mode will load only the absolute minimum processes necessary to start Microsoft Operating system windows 7. Safe Mode with Networking - This option loads the same processes as Safe Mode but also includes those that allow the networking functions in Microsoft Operating system windows 7 to work.

You should choose this option if you think you may need to access the Internet or your local network while troubleshooting in Safe Mode.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt - This version of Safe Mode also loads a minimum set of processes but starts the Command Prompt instead of Explorer, the usual user interface. This is a valuable option if the Safe Mode option did not work.

Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight either the Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode with Command Prompt option and press Enter.

Wait for Microsoft Operating system windows 7 Files to Load
" Loading Windows Files Screen "

The minimum system files necessary to run Microsoft Operating system windows 7 will now load. Each file being loaded will be displayed on screen.

Note: You don't need to do anything here but this screen could provide a good place to start troubleshooting if your computer is experiencing very serious problems and Safe 
Mode won't completely load.

If Safe Mode freezes here, document the last Microsoft Operating system windows 7 file being loaded and then search my site or the rest of the Internet for troubleshooting advice. You can also post the problem in the PC Support Forum and someone will likely be able to help.

Login With an Administrator Account
" Microsoft Operating system windows 7 Logon Screen "

To start Microsoft Operating system windows 7 in Safe Mode, you must log on with an account that has administrator permissions.

Note: If you are not sure if any of your personal accounts have administrator privileges, logon using your own account and see if that works.

Important: If you are not sure what the password is to an account with administrator access,

Make Necessary Changes in Microsoft Operating system windows 7 Safe Mode
" Safe Mode in Microsoft Operating system windows 7 "

Entry into Microsoft Operating system windows 7 Safe Mode should now be complete. Make any changes you need to make and then restart the computer. Assuming there are no remaining issues preventing it, the computer should boot to Microsoft Operating system windows 7 normally after a restart.

Note: As you can see in the screen shot above, it's very easy to identify if a Microsoft Operating system windows 7 PC is in Safe Mode. The text "Safe Mode" will always appear in each corner of the screen when in this special diagnostic mode of Microsoft Operating system windows 7.