Learn how to change Windows startup settings to troubleshoot issues, optimize startup processes, or alter the system’s boot behavior. Find out how to enable Safe Mode, which starts Windows in a limited state, and other options.

This is similar to starting Windows in Safe Mode, but provides you more control over which services and programs run at startup to help you isolate the cause of a problem.

Start your PC in safe mode. If you're having trouble restarting, you can start your PC in safe mode. See Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 11 for details. From safe mode, you can try the remaining troubleshooting steps. Check the Device Manager. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) is a set of tools included with Windows that can help you troubleshoot and fix common problems with your computer. If your PC is having trouble starting up, Windows RE can automatically start and try to repair the issue. Windows RE is also a starting point for various tools for manual system recovery. Access to Windows Recovery Environment There are ...

To change these settings, you will need to switch the PC boot mode from one enabled as “Legacy” BIOS (also known as “CSM” Mode) to UEFI/BIOS (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).

Starting your device in Safe Mode can help troubleshoot sign-in problems. If you can sign in using Safe Mode, it means that basic device drivers and default settings weren’t causing the sign-in problem.

2. Boot into Safe Mode (if the screen remains blank) Force shutdown your PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds. Repeat this 2–3 times until Windows enters Recovery Mode. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Press F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking. 3. Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers

See how to work with Office safe modes to safely use a Office program that has encountered certain problems.

This is similar to starting Windows in Safe Mode, but provides you more control over which services and programs run at startup to help you isolate the cause of a problem.

Learn about the recovery options in Windows. Find out how to reset your PC, go back to a previous version of Windows, or use media to reinstall Windows.