Master the Quick Fix: Prompting Windows for an Emergency Restart in Protected Mode

What to Know

• To force Windows to restart in Safe Mode, access Advanced Startup Options or System Recovery Options.
• Then, use abcdedit command to open Safe Mode from Command Prompt.

This article describes how to use the bcdedit command to boot into Safe Mode whenthe normal method doesn’t work .

How to Use ‘bcdedit’ to Start in Safe Mode

Forcing Windows to restart to this special mode (or making it_stop_ starting in Safe Mode) is moderately difficult and will probably take several minutes, at most. These directions will start Safe Mode fromCommand Prompt :

1. Open Advanced Startup Options if you’re on Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8. Since you can’t start Windows properly, use methods 4, 5, or 6 outlined in that tutorial.
   With Windows 7 or Vista, start System Recovery Options using your installation media or a system repair disc. Unfortunately, this process doesn’t work with Windows XP.
   If you want to force or stop Safe Mode from starting, and you actually_can_ access Windows properly, you don’t need to follow the procedure below. See the much easierHow to Start Windows in Safe Mode Using System Configuration process.
2. Open Command Prompt. If you’re using Windows 7 or newer, it’s located here:Troubleshoot >Advanced options >Command Prompt . Power Tools add-on for Google Sheets, Lifetime subscription
3. Execute the correct bcdeditcommand as shown below based on which Safe Mode option you’d like to start:
   Be sure to type whatever command you choose_exactly_ as shown and then execute it using theEnter key. Spaces are very important! The { and } brackets are the ones above the [ and ] keys on your keyboard. Two separate commands are required to start_Safe Mode with Command Prompt_ , so be sure to execute them both.
   Safe Mode:
   bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal
   Safe Mode with Networking:
   bcdedit /set {default} safeboot network
   Safe Mode with Command Prompt:
   bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal bcdedit /set {default} safebootalternateshell yes
4. A properly executed bcdedit command should return the messageThe operation completed successfully .
   If you see one of these messages or something similar, check Step 3 again and make sure you executed the Safe Mode command properly:
   • The parameter is incorrect
   • The set command specified is not valid
   • …is not recognized as an internal or external command…
5. Close the Command Prompt window.
6. In Windows 11, 10, and 8, selectContinue .
   In Windows 7 and Vista, selectRestart .
   
7. Wait while your computer or device restarts.
8. Once Windows starts, log in as you normally do and use Safe Mode however you were planning.

Windows will continue to start in Safe Mode every time you reboot unless you undo what you did in Step 3. The easiest way to do that is not by executing more commands butvia System Configuration (uncheckSafe boot ).

How to Stop a Safe Mode Loop

Try this if Windows is stuck in a sort of Safe Mode loop, preventing you from starting in normal mode again, and you’ve already tried the instructions in the_Important_ call-out above:

1. Start Command Prompt from_outside_ of Windows, the process outlined in Steps 1 and 2 above.
2. Execute this command once Command Prompt is open:
   bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
3. Assuming it was successfully executed (see Step 4 above),restart your computer . Windows should start normally.

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FAQ

• How do I exit Safe Mode in Windows 10?
  Exiting Windows 10 Safe Mode is typically just a matter ofrestarting your PC . Another method is to press theWindows key + R , then type in “msconfig “ and selectOK >Boot and turn offSafe boot under Boot Options.
• How do I enter Safe Mode in Windows XP if F8 isn’t working?
  Normally restarting Windows XP in Safe Mode is just a matter of pressing F8 during startup. If the F8 key isn’t working, check your keyboard for an F-Lock key that could have turned off your F keys. Otherwise,open your PC’s BIOS menu and make sureKeyboard Support USB is turned on.

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