How to start safe mode in Windows operating system

The glorious times have long passed and forgotten, when due to Microsoft's policy to promote its software products on the computers of most ordinary users, the operating system was installed on the 9x kernel (up to and including Windows Millennium). Implemented mechanisms for working with applications did not allow to obtain high reliability, therefore errors and hangs were a common occurrence. With the advent of Windows XP, a new page for the development of operating systems from Microsoft was launched, marked by the complete abandonment of further support for 9x and the transition to NT technology, which until then existed in parallel. All users were able to assess the reliability of new operating systems (XP, Vista, Win 7), which practically do not require intervention in their work. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, the system has not been fully automated yet, as evidenced by questions on thematic forums on how to run the safe mode of Windows XP.

Any software product, especially such a complex one as the operating system, must interact seamlessly with third-party programs installed by the user. Sometimes it seems that some developers of Windows applications do not test their programs sufficiently before sending them for implementation. As a result, hangup and the inability to boot into a familiar shell, if you do not know how to start safe mode. For example, installing a device driver that contains an error in its code, after a reboot, may result in an inoperative operating system. External manifestations are different: from download stopping to cyclic attempts to boot the system. In such cases, knowledge of how to start safe mode can help. Developers from Microsoft have taken care of eliminating such situations, for which they have a huge human "thank you". But what is surprising - until now not everyone knows how to launch a safe mode, although this is very useful information.

Its second name is the mode of protection from failures or the safe mode (the English version is Safe Mode), the use of which involves loading Windows with limited functionality: the mouse, keyboard, necessary system services are in place, there is support for the drive, the video displays the image via a standard VGA driver . User programs that are included in the startup are ignored. If after installation of any new program the computer stops booting, then using the safe mode, you can delete the "problem" application or adjust the necessary settings.

How to start safe mode? It's simple! After turning on the computer, but before starting the boot process, press F8. You can press many times - nothing breaks, and the probability to miss the right moment will decrease. Some BIOSs perceive F8 as a boot device choice, so it's not worth hurrying with clicks. The main thing is to catch the moment when the BIOS transmits control to the boot block of Windows. Some laptops do not process the F8 button, so you should press it simultaneously with Fn (depending on the model). If everything is done correctly, then in the list that appears, the first item is "Safe Mode", and you need to select it. When asked about the continuation of the work, it remains to answer "Yes", and the operating system, including recovery points, becomes accessible, albeit limited. Few people know that Microsoft has provided another way of loading Safe Mode, except for pressing F8. The same functions are assigned to F5. Anyone who is interested in how to start the safe mode of Windows 7 probably already guessed that all of the above is also suitable for this system, although it can be activated in advance for the next boot. In a working system, press Win + R and type msconfig. Then go to the "download" menu, where the safe mode is activated.

By the way, the existence of this mode can not be remembered if:

- use proven programs;

- Secure the computer with comprehensive protection (antivirus, firewall, etc.);

- A voltage normalizer and uninterruptible power supply are necessary with a low quality of electricity.