Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Tip of the Week: How to Boot Your PC In Safe Mode

Tip of the Week: How to Boot Your PC In Safe Mode

September 5, 2025

Diagnosing issues with your PC can be challenging, and that’s because an operating system is inherently a complicated piece of technology. If you’re looking for a way to isolate the problem and diagnose it, we typically recommend you work with a managed service provider (like us) to make it happen. If you’d like to try things out for yourself, however, you can use Safe Mode to examine your PC in its base form to see if you can find the root cause of the issue.

What is Safe Mode?

Since your device is managed and maintained by your organization, chances are it contains more than just your standard drivers and features. When you boot a device in Safe Mode, you’re essentially booting it from the bare minimum, which means that you’re also potentially booting it without the issue you’re experiencing. If the problem persists in Safe Mode, you’ll know it’s a problem with the core function of your computer, but if the problem is fixed in Safe Mode, then you’ll know it’s a problem with something that’s been installed.

If you want to access Safe Mode and try it out for yourself, there are two ways you can do it: from the Start menu or while booting.

How To Access Safe Mode in Windows 11

Let’s face it, you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 11 soon if you haven’t already—and if you need help with that, be sure to contact us!

Okay, here’s how you access Safe Mode for Windows 11:

  • Press the Windows key, then use the search bar to look for Change advanced startup options. Once you’re ready, hit Enter.
  • Under the Recovery options section, click on the Restart now button to access the Advanced startup option.
  • Once you’re prompted by the pop-up window, click Restart now.
  • Wait a moment, then you should see a menu pop up. Select the option for Troubleshoot.
  • Follow this option path: Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

You’ll then see a screen that details how you can enable Safe Mode. You’ll see three options, but chances are, you’ll want to use 4) Enable Safe Mode. Press the corresponding F key (in this case, F4), and your device should boot in Safe Mode.

If you’re looking for a less involved way to diagnose and resolve IT issues, we recommend you give us a call at (571) 470-5594. Our trusted technicians would be happy to help you resolve any and all technical difficulties you might be experiencing!

‍

Previous Post
May 22, 2024
How You Can Benefit from Business Analytics
For modern businesses, data is king. It's the driving force behind decision-making, strategic planning, and competitive advantage. Enter business analytics.
May 20, 2024
BDR is the Cheat Code to Business Resiliency
There is an almost comical laundry list of problems that all businesses should be prepared for, but what’s not funny whatsoever is what happens when you fail to do so. The term “BDR” is often used as an umbrella term to describe what kind of preparation your organization needs, and today, we want to dive into some of the details that you should know.
May 17, 2024
Do What You Need to Do to Make Phishing a Non-Issue
If you are a consistent reader of this blog, it will not surprise you that we think of phishing as one of the most significant threats that impact businesses today, regardless of their size or industry. Understanding this threat and implementing effective prevention measures is vital for safeguarding your organization. Let's go into how you can minimize the impact of phishing schemes and protect your business.

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here