Many times in order to remove a piece of spyware or for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes, you'll have to start Windows in Safe Mode. While in Safe Mode, only specific programs and files needed to run the operating system are loaded. Some functions, such as connecting to the Internet, will not be active in Safe Mode and a standard video driver will be loaded causing a washed out look and a possible change in resolution. There are currently 3 ways to start Safe Mode: Normal Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking (normally the Internet will work in this mode), and Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
However, since only the essential programs and files are loaded in Safe Mode, this allows us to remove some spyware, adware, viruses and such that cannot be removed in Normal Mode. Follow the instructions below to Start Safe Mode for your specific version of Windows. If you are trying to delete a file that is not allowing you to delete it (even in Safe Mode), you may want to read my article on How to Delete an Undeletable File.
Windows 7
- Turn the computer on or Restart the computer.
- Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Boot Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
- Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected, not Repair Your Computer
- Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
- When you are finished with troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is similar to Windows XP for starting in Safe Mode.
- Turn the computer on or Restart the computer
- Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Boot Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
- Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected (the top option)
- Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
- When you are finished with troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.
Windows XP
If Windows XP is the only operating system installed on your computer, booting into Safe Mode with these instructions.
- If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
- Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
- Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
- Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected.
- Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
- When you are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.