Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of built-in services and hardware support, leaving most third-party packages inactive. You reach it through Advanced startup and Startup Settings, often by holding Shift while choosing Restart. This environment is useful when a recent display, storage, or input change prevents normal startup, because Device Manager and recovery tools remain available while the problematic component may not be loaded. Download any replacement files before entering standard Safe Mode because networking is normally disabled, or choose the networking variant when necessary. Use the session to undo one known change, then restart normally; it is a troubleshooting environment, not a permanent performance or security setting.