Sometimes it's necessary to start Windows in Safe Mode to properly troubleshoot a problem. Typically, you'd do this via the Advanced Boot Options menu.
However, depending on the problem you're having, it might be easier to make Windows start in Safe Mode automatically, without bringing up the ABO.
Follow the instructions below to force Windows to reboot directly into Safe Mode by making changes in the System Configuration utility, often called MSConfig. This works in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
Note: You'll need to be able to start Windows normally to do this. If you can't, you'll need to start Safe Mode normally. See How To Start Windows in Safe Mode if you need help.
Here's How:
Click on Start. In Windows XP, also click Run.
In the search box (Windows 7 and Vista) or Run window (Windows XP), type the following and then press Enter:
msconfig
This will open the System Configuration program.
Note: Do not make changes in System Configuration other than those outlined here to avoid causing serious system issues. This utility controls a number of startup activities other than those involved with Safe Mode.
Click on the Boot tab located at the top of the System Configuration window.
In Windows XP, this tab is labeled BOOT.INI
Check the checkbox next to Safe boot (/SAFEBOOT in Windows XP) and then click OK.
Note: The radio buttons under the Safe boot options start the various other modes of Safe Mode. For example, Alternate shell starts Safe Mode with Command Prompt and Network starts Safe Mode with Networking.
See Safe Mode: What It Is and How To Use It for more information on the various Safe Mode options.
You will then be prompted to either Restart, which will restart your computer immediately, or Exit without restart, which will close the window and allow you to continue to use your computer in which case you'll need to restart manually.
After restarting, Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode.
Important: Windows will continue to start in Safe Mode automatically until System Configuration is configured to again boot normally, which we'll do over the next several steps.
If you'd prefer to continue to start Windows in Safe Mode automatically each time you reboot, for example if you're troubleshooting a particularly nasty piece of malware, you can stop here.
When your work in Safe Mode is complete, again start System Configuration as you did in Steps 1 and 2 above.
Choose the Normal startup radio button (on the General tab) and click OK.
You'll again be prompted with the same restart your computer question as in Step 5. Choose one option, most likely Restart.
Your computer will restart and Windows will start normally... and will continue to do so.
