A computer can always be booted up to Safe Mode by tapping F8 key on POST and selecting “Safe Mode” from the advanced options menu. However there are cases wherein we are unable to hit F8 at the correct moment and it takes a couple of tries to get to it. In such cases this alternate method can be used to boot computer directly to safe mode.
NOTE: This works only if the computer is up & running. If for some reason the computer is not booting at all & we need to access safe mode for troubleshooting then the F8 is the only way.
– Click Start > Run. Type MSCONFIG and click OK.
For Windows XP
— Click on Boot.ini tab
— Put a check next to “/SAFEBOOT” and ensure “minimal” radio button is selected as well
— Restart computer and it will automatically enter Safe Mode
— Reverse the process before restarting the computer from Safe Mode to enter the normal mode.
For Windows 7
— Click on “Boot” tab
— Put a check next to Safe Boot, ensure minimal is selected. (There are other options as well and can be selected as per need)
— Restart and the machine will boot into Safe Mode.
