Can't start in safe mode

northwest1965

Any suggestions as to what I can do to get my laptop to start in safe mode. I have windows 8.
Got a menu to come up, but when you press the F key to start in safe mode, nothing happens.
There's a safe mode with command...do I need type something in there?

EveryWhere

Windows 8???? Why?

https://neosmart.net/wiki/safe-mode/#Safe_Mode_in_Windows_8_81_and_Windows_10

Neil_Jones

Why do you need to get your laptop in Safe Mode? Does it boot at all in normal mode? If so you can get to Safe Mode from IIRC in Windows 8/8.1 from Settings -> Recovery? I think and then there should be an option to "restart to advanced settings" or similar.

The old "Press F8 for Safe Mode" thing is still in Windows 8 and later but you have to catch it at the absolute correct moment otherwise it will go straight past.

that

isn't it shift-f8 for windows 8 and 10? And your timing has to be spot on.

the easy way as it is when booting hold the power key to force shutdown. if this happens 3 times consecutive in a row it enters automatic repair mode, click advanced options

Neil_Jones

It is not Shift+F8 at all, has always been F8 on start. Prior to 8 it was easy, after that because of Secure Boot and Fastboot its harder.

If the machine still boots you can also get to Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key when you click Restart on either the lock screen or the Start Menu.

Paul_DNAP

Do you have one of those funkey keyboards where the F keys are actually volume controls etc. unless you hold down the "Fn" button and press the F key, because if you do then you may need to do that to get to the F8 on boot up, it's not just a windows thing.


But yes, if you press SHIFT when clicking the "power" icon on the start menu, you get the option to "trouble shoot" come up as well as the standard shut down, and from there you can go "advanced" and then "startup options" to set which mode it will restart in - including the safe mode etc.

northwest1965

Thanks for the suggestions but F8 doesn't seem to work. When it does start, it says automatic repair and then does nothing

that

Soon as you get to a windows starting to load screen either switch it off (desktop) or hold the power button down (laptop) to switch it off. Start it up again and as soon ad you get windows loading again power it off. Do this power off thing three times in succession and on the forth go you will get different choices

F8 or shift-f8 although there has to be activated at the exact moment. Think you can edit BCD to allow the change of pressing f8 more time, but usually that ship has sailed if you mow only want to do this.

https://superuser.com/questions/1067598/win10-how-do-you-boot-into-the-repair-screen-manually

EveryWhere

Use the opportunity to swap the HDD within, to a much faster SSD.