6 Ways to Get Rid of Windows Safe Mode ~ future.housing.org.uk

Being stuck in Safe Mode on your computer or device can be a frustrating experience. It limits functionality and prevents you from accessing all of your applications and features. Whether you entered Safe Mode intentionally or accidentally, there are several methods you can employ to safely exit Safe Mode and return your device to its normal operating mode. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the various ways to disable Safe Mode, ensuring a smooth transition back to normalcy.

Firstly, let’s consider the common causes of Safe Mode. It is typically triggered to address system issues, such as driver conflicts, software malfunctions, or malware infections. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and programs, allowing you to troubleshoot and potentially identify the underlying problem. However, if Safe Mode is no longer needed, exiting it is a straightforward process. One common approach is to simply restart your computer. Upon reboot, the device should automatically exit Safe Mode and resume normal operation. Alternatively, you can manually disable Safe Mode through the System Configuration utility or the Command Prompt, depending on your operating system.

In conclusion, exiting Safe Mode is a relatively simple task that can be accomplished using various methods. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively restore your device to its normal operating mode and regain full access to its functionality. Whether you inadvertently entered Safe Mode or used it to troubleshoot system issues, understanding how to exit it empowers you to navigate these situations confidently.

Diagnosing the Cause of Safe Mode

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that starts your computer with a limited set of drivers and programs. This can help you identify and fix problems that may be preventing Windows from starting normally. To diagnose the cause of safe mode, you can try the following steps:

1. Check for hardware problems

Hardware problems, such as faulty memory or a failing hard drive, can cause safe mode. To check for hardware problems, you can use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool and the CHKDSK tool. The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool tests your computer’s memory for errors, while the CHKDSK tool checks your hard drive for errors.

Tool	How to use
Windows Memory Diagnostic	Press the Windows key + R. Type “mdsched.exe” and press Enter.
CHKDSK	Open Command Prompt as administrator. Type “chkdsk /f” and press Enter.

If the Windows Memory Diagnostic or CHKDSK tool finds any errors, you should repair or replace the affected hardware.

Exiting Safe Mode Using System Configuration

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
3. Click on the “Services” tab in the System Configuration window.
4. Find the “Safe Boot” service. If the “Safe Boot” service is selected, click on the “Disable” button.
5. Click on the “Apply” button and then on the “OK” button to save the changes.
6. Restart your computer.

Disabling Individual Services in Safe Mode

If you cannot disable the “Safe Boot” service, you can try disabling individual services in Safe Mode.

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
3. Find the service that you want to disable.
4. Right-click on the service and select “Disable.”

Here is a table of common services that can cause Safe Mode to start:

Service Name	Description
Avast Antivirus	Antivirus software
AVG Antivirus	Antivirus software
Norton Antivirus	Antivirus software
Anti-Malware	Anti-malware software
Windows Defender	Anti-malware software

Uninstalling Recent Programs

One of the most common causes of Safe Mode is a recently installed program that is causing conflicts or errors. To resolve this issue, try uninstalling any recently installed programs.

Here are the detailed steps to uninstall a program in Windows:

Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
Go to “Programs” > “Programs and Features.”
Locate the recently installed program in the list and select it.
Click the “Uninstall” button at the top of the window.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

It is recommended to uninstall programs one at a time and restart your computer after each uninstallation to narrow down the problematic program.

Table of Uninstalled Programs:

Program Name	Uninstall Date
[Program Name 1]	[Date Uninstalled]
[Program Name 2]	[Date Uninstalled]

After you have uninstalled the potentially problematic programs, restart your computer and check if Safe Mode is still active. If Safe Mode is no longer present, the issue has been resolved.

Updating Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can often lead to Safe Mode being activated. To update your drivers, follow these steps:

Open the Device Manager.
Expand the category that contains the device you want to update.
Right-click the device and select “Update Driver.”
Follow the prompts to update the driver.

Automatic Driver Update

If you are not comfortable updating drivers manually, you can use a driver updater tool. Driver updater tools will automatically scan your computer for outdated or corrupted drivers and update them for you. There are many different driver updater tools available, so you can choose one that fits your needs and budget.

Manual Driver Update

If you prefer to update drivers manually, you can do so by following these steps:

Step	Description
1	Identify the device you want to update.
2	Visit the website of the manufacturer of the device.
3	Download the latest driver for your device.
4	Install the driver.

Once you have updated the drivers for your devices, restart your computer and see if Safe Mode is still active. If Safe Mode is no longer active, you have successfully resolved the issue.

Running a Malware Scan

Malicious software (malware) is a major cause of safe mode issues. Safe mode prevents malware from loading, but it doesn’t remove it. To get rid of safe mode caused by malware, you need to perform a thorough malware scan.

There are several free and paid antivirus software programs available. Choose a reputable program with a good track record of detecting and removing malware. Once you have installed the antivirus software, follow these steps to perform a malware scan:

Open the antivirus software program.
Click on the “Scan” button.
Choose the type of scan you want to perform. A full scan will take longer, but it is more thorough.
Click on the “Start” button.
The antivirus software will scan your computer for malware. If any malware is detected, the antivirus software will quarantine or remove it.

After the malware scan is complete, restart your computer. If the safe mode issue was caused by malware, your computer should boot into normal mode.

Antivirus Software	Cost	Features
Avira Antivirus	Free	Real-time protection, malware scanning, cloud-based protection
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus	$29.99/year	Real-time protection, malware scanning, ransomware protection, parental controls
Norton 360	$49.99/year	Real-time protection, malware scanning, ransomware protection, cloud-based backup, identity theft protection

Checking Hardware Connections

Safe mode can be triggered by malfunctioning hardware, so it’s crucial to thoroughly inspect all hardware connections.

Step 1: Check Power Connections

Ensure all power cables are securely plugged into power outlets and devices. Inspect for any loose connections or frayed wires.

Step 2: Examine External Devices

Disconnect all non-essential external devices, such as printers, scanners, and external hard drives. Reboot your computer and check if safe mode persists.

Step 3: Check Internal Connections

Power down your computer and unplug it completely. Open the case and inspect internal connections. Ensure components like RAM, graphics card, and storage drives are firmly seated in their slots.

Step 4: Reseat RAM

RAM sticks can become loose over time. Remove and reseat all RAM modules. Refer to your motherboard manual for proper placement.

Step 5: Inspect Expansion Cards

Examine expansion cards, such as graphics cards and sound cards. Make sure they are properly installed and secured.

Step 6: Troubleshooting Table

Symptom	Possible Cause	Solution
Computer Won’t Turn On	Loose or disconnected power cables	Secure all power connections
Safe Mode Occurs with External Devices	Faulty external device	Disconnect external devices one at a time
Safe Mode Occurs with Internal Connections	Loose or malfunctioning component	Reseat or replace suspected components

Using Command Prompt to Exit Safe Mode

If you’re unable to disable Safe Mode through the System Configuration utility, you can use Command Prompt to force it out. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type “cmd” (without quotes), and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2: Run the bcdedit Command

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

“bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot”

Step 3: Restart Your Computer

Once the command has been executed, restart your computer. Safe Mode should now be disabled.

Step 4: Verify Safe Mode is Disabled

After restarting, check if your computer is no longer in Safe Mode. If you see a black screen with only the basic icons and menus, Safe Mode is still enabled. Repeat the steps above to disable it.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Command Prompt Exit

If you encounter any errors while using Command Prompt to exit Safe Mode, try the following troubleshooting tips:

Step 6: Ensure Command Prompt is Running as Administrator

Make sure you’re running Command Prompt as an administrator by following the instructions in Step 1.

Step 7: Double-Check the Command Syntax

Carefully check the syntax of the bcdedit command in Step 2. Ensure you have typed it correctly, including the braces {} and value safeboot.

Troubleshooting System File Corruption

System File Corruption can be a major problem, leading to a variety of issues, including Safe Mode. To troubleshoot and fix this issue, follow these steps:

**1. Check the System Logs**

Review the system logs to identify any errors or warnings that may indicate system file corruption.

**2. Run the System File Checker (SFC)**

The SFC scans and repairs corrupted system files. To run it, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type:

sfc /scannow

**3. Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)**

DISM checks and repairs system images. To use it, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

**4. Perform a System Restore**

System Restore restores the system to a previous state. This can resolve issues caused by corrupted system files.

**5. Update Drivers**

Outdated drivers can cause system instability and lead to Safe Mode. Update all drivers to the latest versions.

**6. Check for Malware**

Malware can corrupt system files. Run a thorough malware scan to identify and remove any threats.

**7. Reset Windows**

If other methods fail, you can reset Windows to restore the system to its default settings and repair corrupted system files.

**8. Advanced Troubleshooting**

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider the following advanced troubleshooting methods:

Method	Description
Use a Linux Live USB	Boot into a Linux Live USB to access and repair the Windows system
Run CHKDSK from a Command Prompt	Repair disk errors that may be contributing to system file corruption
Disable Fast Startup	Fast Startup can sometimes cause boot issues related to system file corruption

Note that advanced troubleshooting methods require technical expertise and should be performed with caution.

Restoring Windows to a Previous State

If you’re unable to disable Safe Mode through the previous steps, you can try restoring Windows to a previous state before Safe Mode was enabled.

Here’s how to do it:

Go to the Windows search bar and type “Recovery.”
Click on “Recovery options.”
Under “Advanced startup,” click on “Restart now.”
Once your computer restarts, you’ll see a blue screen with several options. Click on “Troubleshoot.”
Next, click on “Advanced options.”
In the Advanced options menu, select “System Restore.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point before Safe Mode was enabled.
Click on “Scan for affected programs” to see a list of programs that will be affected by the restore.
Review the list carefully and make sure that no essential programs will be removed. If you’re unsure, it’s better to create a backup of your important files before proceeding.
Once you’re satisfied with your selection, click on “Next” to start the restore process.
Windows will now restore your computer to the selected restore point. This process may take some time, so be patient.
Once the restore is complete, your computer will restart and you should be back in normal mode.

Reinstalling Windows as a Last Resort

If all else fails, you can reinstall Windows to remove Safe Mode. This is a more drastic solution, but it will definitely work. However, it is essential to back up your data before reinstalling Windows, as it will erase everything on your hard drive.

Detailed Instructions for Reinstalling Windows

Boot from the Windows installation media. You can use a USB drive or DVD.
Choose your language and other preferences.
Click "Install Now."
Accept the terms of the license agreement.
Choose the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option.
Select the hard drive where you want to install Windows.
Click "Next."
Format the hard drive. This will erase all the data on the drive.
Click "Next."
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows installation.

Step	Description
1	Insert the Windows installation media into your computer and boot from it.
2	Select your language and other preferences.
3	Click the “Install Now” button.
4	Accept the terms of the license agreement.
5	Choose the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option.
6	Select the hard drive where you want to install Windows.
7	Click the “Next” button.
8	Format the hard drive. This will erase all the data on the drive.
9	Click the “Next” button.
10	Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows installation.

Once you have reinstalled Windows, Safe Mode will be removed.

How To Get Rid Of Safe Mode

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to start your computer with only the essential drivers and services. This can be useful for troubleshooting problems with your computer. However, if you are not experiencing any problems, you may want to exit safe mode.

Here are the three methods to get out of safe mode:

Method 1:

1. Restart your computer

2. When the computer starts up, press the F8 key repeatedly until you see the Advanced Boot Options menu.

3. Use the arrow keys to select Normal Mode.

4. Press Enter.

Method 2:

1. Click on the Start button.

2. In the search box, type msconfig.

3. Click on the System Configuration utility.

4. Click on the Boot tab.

5. Under Boot options, uncheck the Safe boot checkbox.

6. Click on the Apply button.

7. Click on the OK button.

8. Restart your computer.

Method 3:

1. Open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot

3. In the right pane, double-click on the Minimal value.

4. Change the value data to 0.

5. Click on the OK button.

6. Close the Registry Editor.

7. Restart your computer.

6 Ways to Get Rid of Windows Safe Mode