How to Get Safe Mode in Windows XP

Last Updated: March 4, 2021

While Windows XP is usually a stable operating system, it still can have a wide variety of problems. Luckily, Microsoft knew that and decided to put in a secret boot mode known as "Safe Mode". This article will tell you how to enter the Windows XP safe mode.

Steps

1
Press the F8 key right after the POST check. In practice this can be tricky to time correctly and all too often you can end up in the regular boot mode. The technique is to repeatedly tap the F8 key until the startup menu appears.
- Sometimes you will fill up the buffer memory with all the key taps and get an error message or the computer will complain by beeping. Also, the F8 key may not work with a USB keyboard because USB drivers have not yet been loaded. However, newer computers have USB support in the BIOS so this problem should be limited to older machines.
2
These are the choices you should see: (You may not see all choices below, depending on your computer setup.)
- Safe Mode
- Safe Mode with Networking
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt
- Enable Boot Logging
- Enable VGA mode
- Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
- Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
- Debugging Mode
- Disable automatic restart on system failure
- Start Windows Normally
- Reboot
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3
Use the "up" and "down" arrow keys to highlight the boot mode you want. After you have highlighted the mode you want, press the "Enter" key.

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Using Msconfig to get into Safe Mode

1
Click the "Start" button on the taskbar. When the Start Menu appears, click the "Run" menu option. (As a shortcut, you can simply press WinKey+R on the keyboard.)
2
In the dialog box that appears, type "msconfig". The System Configuration Utility executes.
3
Look for the tabs at the top of the screen. One will say "BOOT.INI". Click on that tab.
4
There will be a few checkboxes in the lower portion of the window. Check the box next to the text "/SAFEBOOT".
5
Click "OK", and restart your computer.

Community Q&A

Question

When I reach Safe Mode and press Enter, it shows me again the option Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, etc. What can I do?

Community Answer

Just Safe Mode is fine for simple diagnosing and troubleshooting. Safe Mode with Command Prompt can be nice, and if you'll need to get online for anything, go with Safe Mode with Networking.
Question

When I press F8, the page with all the options pops up. However, I am unable to highlight anything with the up and down arrow keys. Is there any other way to get into safe mode?

Community Answer

While there is no other way, if you're using a USB-based keyboard, try a different port.

Warnings

You will no longer boot into regular mode until you uncheck the box next to "/SAFEBOOT" in the System Configuration Utility.

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Only change what you are told to in the System Configuration Utility. WikiHow is not responsible if your computer will no longer boot, or starts to act strange.

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