Friday, July 6, 2012

Easy Way To Boot To 'Safe Mode' In Windows 8

Safe by dictionary definition is to protect from danger or harm while mode is an alternative way of allowing change to be possible in the method of operating a device. They can both connote something much more in English language. Combining both terms, from a definitive point of view is to protect from harm through possible alternative way. That helps one to have understanding of what Safe mode means from a layman angle only.

In simple technical jargon, Safe mode in computing is a non-harmful alternative way of entering Windows operating system to identify the causes of a particular problem in a computer system. It helps with easy diagnosis and  manageability by loading needed drivers for display, mouse, keyboard and the Windows operating system at boot up.



Image of Windows 8  Safe mode

To enter into Safe mode the F8 key is typically essential and has not changed so much in Windows 8. The thing that has changed is the way it is approached. There are things required by Windows 8 before the F8 key can be used for Safe-mode during boot. Depressing SHIFT + F8 alone at boot without prior changes at the system configuration or command line can not alone do the magic, as most people would have us believed. Most especially, when it is a dual-boot system.

However, there are different ways to enter Safe mode in Windows 8. It is easier when doing so by following the steps below.

For a tip, before proceeding into taking any step there is a need to forestall the System Configuration after installation of Windows  8. As one might need it in some cases, it is optional, although expedient as such to this whole process.



Image of  Keyboard indicating Win and R keys

Step 1:  Press the Win + R (that is Windows logo key and R key) to open the 'RUN' dialogue.



Image of Windows 8 RUN dialogue

Step 2:  Type ' msconfig' into the RUN dialogue and click OK to enter 'System Configuration'. 



Image of  Windows 8 System Configuration.

Step 3:  At 'System Configuration' window select 'Boot' and tick 'Safe boot' and click 'Apply'.



Image of Windows 8 Safe mode

Step 4:  Restart the system  to enter into Safe mode.


Image of  Keyboard indicating Win and R keys

STEP 5 : When you are through with debugging your error press Windows +R key to open 'Run' at the 'Safe Mode' environment.


Image of Windows 8 RUN dialogue


STEP 6: Type ' msconfig' into the RUN dialogue and click OK to enter 'System Configuration'. 


Image of  Windows 8 System Configuration.


STEP 7: At 'System Configuration' window select 'Boot' and unchecked  'Safe boot' , click 'Apply' and restart your system.