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
September 25, 2026
How to Manage Shadow IT and BYOAI Risks in Your Business
When your team is trying to get things done, they will usually take the path of least resistance. Sometimes, that means bringing outside tools into your daily workflow without asking permission first. 
September 23, 2026
Four Simple Defenses Against Modern Corporate Scams
It feels like every message your team receives is an attempt to steal money or compromise your network. Scammers target organizations constantly with increasingly refined tactics, making it impossible to stop bad actors from sending fraudulent requests. Are you out of luck? No. You can implement straightforward habits to protect your operation.
September 21, 2026
Key Technical Pillars for Business Stability
As an IT professional, my primary goal is keeping company systems running smoothly so employees can work without interruption. Three essential factors determine the reliability and safety of business technology: proactive IT support, strong cybersecurity, and minimized downtime. 

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