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Windows Vista Safe Mode Key

10/9/2019
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Starting your computer in Windows Vista Safe Mode can help you diagnose and solve many serious problems, especially when starting Windows normally is not possible.

Not a Windows Vista User? For specific instructions for your version of Windows, see our article on how to start Windows in Safe Mode?

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Press F8 Before the Windows Vista Splash Screen

To begin entering Windows Vista Safe Mode, turn on or restart your PC.

Use the following steps to start Windows in Safe Mode from the Windows desktop: Click Start, and type msconfig in the Search box. Under Programs, click msconfig.exe. Figure: Opening the System Configuration tool. If a User Account Control message displays. Aug 31, 2016  If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press Enter. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights. If you mash the F8 key at just the right time (or get lucky spamming the key during boot up), Windows might still take you to a screen that lets you get into the recovery environment. From there, you can boot into Safe Mode (and we’ll talk about that environment a bit later. The trouble is that some computer manufacturers disable this option.

Windows vista safe mode key code

Just before the Windows Vista splash screen shown above appears, press the F8 key to enter Advanced Boot Options.

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Choose a Windows Vista Safe Mode Option

You should now see the Advanced Boot Options screen. If not, you may have missed the short window of opportunity to press F8 in the previous step and Windows Vista is probably now continuing to boot normally assuming it's able to. If this is the case, just restart your computer and try pressing F8 again.

Here you are presented with three variations of Windows Vista Safe Mode you may enter:

  • Safe Mode - This is the default option and is usually the best choice. This mode will load only the absolute minimum processes necessary to start Windows Vista.
  • Safe Mode with Networking - This option loads the same processes as Safe Mode but also includes those that allow the networking functions in Windows Vista to work. You should choose this option if you think you may need to access the internet or your local network while troubleshooting in Safe Mode.
  • Safe Mode with Command Prompt - This version of Safe Mode also loads a minimum set of processes but will allow immediate access to the Command Prompt application. This is a valuable option if more advanced troubleshooting is necessary.

Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight either the Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode with Command Prompt option and press Enter.

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Wait for Windows Vista Files to Load

The minimum system files necessary to run Windows Vista will now load. Each file being loaded will be displayed on screen.

Dj rajasthani mp3 song download. You don't need to do anything here but this screen could provide a good place to start troubleshooting if your computer is experiencing very serious problems and Safe Mode won't completely load.

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Log in With an Administrator Account

To enter Windows Vista Safe Mode, you must log on with an account that has administrator permissions.

If you're not sure if any of your personal accounts have administrator privileges, log in using your own account and see if that works.

Not sure what the password is to an administrator account on your computer? Learn how to find the Windows Administrator Password for more information.

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Make Necessary Changes in Windows Vista Safe Mode

Entry into Windows Vista Safe Mode should now be complete. Make any changes you need to make and then restart the computer. Assuming there are no remaining issues preventing it, the computer should boot to Windows Vista normally after a restart.

As you can see in the screenshot above, it's very easy to identify if a Windows Vista PC is in Safe Mode. The text 'Safe Mode' will always appear in each corner of the screen when in this special diagnostic mode of Windows Vista.

One of the most common steps when troubleshooting a PC is to boot into Safe Mode. For a long time this has been achieved by pressing the F8 key, this all changes with Windows 10 and its Automatic Repair mode. But what if we want Safe Mode?

If you mash the F8 key at just the right time (or get lucky spamming the key during boot up), Windows might still take you to a screen that lets you get into the recovery environment. From there, you can boot into Safe Mode (and we’ll talk about that environment a bit later. The trouble is that some computer manufacturers disable this option. And even on PCs that still support it, Windows startup (and particularly the handoff between the regular boot process and Windows startup) happens so much faster now, you barely have time to press the key.

The good news is that getting into Safe Mode is doable. The process is just more hidden now.

RELATED:How to Use Safe Mode to Fix Your Windows PC (and When You Should)

Note: This article is written using screenshots from Windows 10, but the techniques work pretty much the same way in Windows 8. We’ll note any differences where they occur.

Step One: Get to the Advanced Troubleshooting Tools in the Recovery Environment

Most of the ways you access Safe Mode involve getting into the Windows recovery environment first. The recovery environment includes a number of troubleshooting options, and Safe Mode is one of them. How you get there depends on whether your PC can start Windows normally or not.

If Your PC Can Start Windows Normally

If your PC can successfully get to the Windows login screen when you start it up (or you can actually sign into Windows), the easiest way to get to the recovery environment is to hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart (either right on the sign in screen or from the Start menu).

You can also get to the recovery environment through your Settings app. Press Windows+I to open Settings, and then click the “Update & Security” option.

In the left pane, switch to the “Recovery” tab. In the right pane, scroll down a bit, and then click the “Restart Now” button in the “Advanced Startup” section.

Using either of these methods (Shift+Restart or the Settings app) takes you to the recovery environment, which we’ll discuss just a bit later in our section on the second step of this process.

Windows Vista Safe Mode Key Windows 7

If Your PC Cannot Start Windows Normally

Windows Vista Safe Mode Key

If your PC won’t start Windows normally twice in a row, it should automatically present you with a “Recovery” option that lets you see advanced repair options.

Windows Vista Safe Mode Boot

Note: We’re talking here specifically about if your PC is able to power on and successfully run through its hardware initialization, but then cannot load Windows successfully. If your PC is having trouble even getting to the stage where Windows loads, check out our guide on what to do when Windows won’t start for more help.

RELATED:How to Create and Use a Recovery Drive or System Repair Disc in Windows 8 or 10

If your PC does not present you with this screen, you can try starting your PC from a USB recovery drive. It’s best if you’ve made one ahead of time, but in a pinch, you can create one from another PC running the same version of Windows.

It’s also possible that you can mash the F8 key during boot (but before Windows starts trying to load) to access these screens. Some PC manufacturers disable this action, and on some PCs, startup is fast enough that it’s hard to hit the key at the right time. But, there’s no harm in trying.

Whichever way you get into the recovery environment, you’ll have access to the advanced troubleshooting tools intended for helping you recover a PC that won’t start normally. Safe Mode is included in those tools.

Step Two: Use the Advanced Troubleshooting Tools to Start Safe Mode

When you get to the advanced troubleshooting tools (whether that’s by using the Shift+Restart trick, mashing the F8 key, or using a recovery drive), you’ll arrive at a screen that lets you access the troubleshooting tools. Click the “Troubleshoot” button to proceed.

On the “Troubleshoot” screen, click the “Advanced Options” button.

On the “Advanced Options” page, click the Startup Settings” option. In Windows 8, this option is labelled “Windows Startup Settings” instead.

And finally, now that you see what we meant by “hidden,” hit the “Restart” button.

You’ll see a version of the familiar Advanced Boot Options menu. Press the number corresponding to the startup option you want to use (i.e., press the 4 key for regular Safe Mode).

Note that if you’re using Windows 8, your PC will restart first, and then you’ll actually see the same “Advanced Boot Options” screen you’re used to from older versions of Windows. Use the arrow keys to select the appropriate Safe Mode option, and then hit Enter to boot into Safe mode.

Yes, it’s a convoluted way to get to Safe Mode, and these options are much more hidden than they were in the past. But, at least they’re still available.

Alternative Option: Force Windows to Start in Safe Mode Until You Tell It Not To

Sometimes, you’ll be troubleshooting something that requires you to boot into Safe Mode several times. Going through the whole procedure we’ve just outlined gets to be a real pain if you have to do it each time you restart your PC. Fortunately, there’s a better way.

The System Configuration tool built into Windows gives you the ability to enable a “safe boot” option. This essentially forces Windows to boot into Safe Mode every time you restart your PC. To start Windows normally again, you have to go back into the System Configuration tool and disable the option.

Windows Vista Safe Mode Key Windows 10

You can even choose the type of Safe Mode into which you want Windows to start:

  • Minimal: normal Safe Mode
  • Alternate shell: Safe Mode using only the Command Prompt
  • Active Directory repair: Used only for repairing an Active Directory server
  • Network: Safe Mode with networking support

RELATED:Force Windows 7, 8, or 10 to Boot Into Safe Mode Without Using the F8 Key

Windows 7 Safe Mode

This alternative method provides a great way to boot into Safe Mode repeatedly when you need to, but you might also find it quicker than booting into Safe Mode using one of the more conventional methods we’ve discussed—even if you only need to visit Safe Mode once. Be sure to check out our full guide on how to force Windows to boot into Safe Mode for more information.

Windows Vista Safe Mode Keyboard

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