Windows Safe Mode

This is quite an important part of the Windows OS, also invaluable

Windows 95
To get into Windows 95 safe mode, as the computer is booting, when you either hear a beep or when you see the message "Starting Windows 95", press your F8 key on the top of your keyboard. If done properly you should get into the Windows 95 Startup menu similar to the below screen. In this menu choose option 3 by pressing the 3 key and press enter. See screen below

Windows 98 / ME
To get into Windows 98 / ME safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 key" on the top of your keyboard or press and hold the left or right Ctrl key as the computer is booting. If done properly you should get into the "Windows 98 / ME Startup Menu" similar to the below screen example. In this menu choose option 3 by pressing the 3 key and press enter.
Note: With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu. See screen below

Windows 2000 / XP
Tip: If you are running safe mode because you cannot get into Windows you may want to first try loading the last known good configuration.
To get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your Arrow Keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.

Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe mode - If after several attempts you are unable to get into Windows 2000 or Windows XP safe mode as the computer is booting into Windows, turn off your computer. When the computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the safe mode screen. See screen below

Windows Vista
To get into the Windows Vista Safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your Arrow Keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key. See screen below

To exit Safe Mode
From Windows Safe Mode click Start / Shutdown and restart the computer. This should start the computer automatically back into Normal Mode.

Thanks to Uncle J, Ann

You may want to add some information about what safe mode is and why people would want to use it. Also, you may want to give credit where credit due: Getting into Windows Safe Mode

Hi Soskel

As i said at the end (thanks to Uncle j as he sent it to me) and i think its helpful

Originally Posted by Soskel

You may want to add some information about what safe mode is and why people would want to use it. Also, you may want to give credit where credit due: Getting into Windows Safe Mode

This type of general information can not be credited to one source. If one attempted to do so - it would be Microsoft.

In no way did your resource create this data, nor are they the only ones capable of assembling such helpful advice. Annabell did the correct thing in giving credit to her source, which provided it to her.

As a member here, you are very welcome to add to this thread and the many reasons safe mode can be beneficial to a computer user.

Thanks for your observations!

First time ive looked at this - good post Annabell (shame your not here hun we could chat lots !)

When having virus/trojan related symptoms, one should get into safe mode immediately and perform a sweep, after turning System Restore OFF.

Good move, bugs like to hideout in system restore and its a good idea to remove all but last restore points >

To remove all but last System Restore points go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup > select the drive XP is installed on and click OK > click the More Options tab > in the System Restore section, click the Clean up… button and Yes in the resulting screen, wait 5 seconds and exit via cancel within the windows.

OR - Click Start > Run > type cleanmgr.exe > OK - takes you to Disk Cleanup