How to use Safe Mode to diagnose problems on your Windows PC
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The problem could be deeper, though. There might be something wrong with your Windows PC. If you’re experiencing poor performance or crashing apps, pay attention. There’s a real problem behind every surface-level symptom.
Thankfully Microsoft has a tool that you can use to find the problem quickly. Here’s how to use Safe Mode to troubleshoot your PC.
What is Safe Mode for PC?
Safe Mode is a Windows feature that utilizes only the bare necessities.
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Safe Mode starts Windows in a raw state, using a restricted set of files and drivers. If a problem doesn’t happen in Safe Mode, default settings and basic device drivers aren’t causing the issue.
Observing Windows in Safe Mode allows you to narrow down the source of an issue and can help you troubleshoot problems on your PC.
There are two versions of safe mode: Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking. Safe Mode with Networking adds the network drivers and services you’ll need to be online and connect with other computers on your network.
How to enable Safe Mode
You can launch Safe Mode in several ways with Windows 10 and 11. The simplest way is from Settings, so let’s focus on that.
To access Safe Mode in Windows 10:
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