What is Windows XP Safe Mode?

What is Windows XP Safe Mode and why is it needed? Windows XP Safe Mode is a way for Windows XP to load when there is a problem that prevents it loading normally. It allows you to trouble shoot Windows in order to determine what is preventing Windows XP to load properly.

When windows XP cannot load properly it may prevent you using some of the utilities such as System Restore that will return the system to a previous state. Booting in Windows XP Safe Mode bypasses the loading of a lot of programs, one that may be causing your problem.  You may have just installed a program that has caused you windows to load incorrectly. Booting in windows xp safe mode gives you the opportunity to recover from this by de-installing the program.

So how do you get into Windows XP Safe Mode? To get into safe mode reboot your computer. As the computer is booting keep pressing the “F8 Key”. You should find this usually in the top row on your keyboard. Doing this should eventually bring up the “Windows Advanced Options Menu” as shown below. You will find your mouse is inoperative so you will have to use your keyboard arrow keys to move to “Safe Mode”. Press the enter key on your keyboard to invoke Windows XP Safe Mode.

Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode

Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu

As your computer is booting up in Windows XP Safe Mode, you will get the option either to go to the System Restore menu, or continue to boot to the safe mode of windows xp. To exit Windows XP Safe Mode all you have to do is restart your computer.

There are a few options for booting up in Windows XP Safe Mode, they are:

Safe Mode

This is the basic Windows XP Safe Mode option and is what most users will want to choose when troubleshooting their computer. In this mode you can perform basic Windows operations such as using the control panel.

Safe Mode with Networking

There are times when you may need access to the Internet to download drivers to replace one that is causing problems or other software.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt

This Safe Mode boots and allows you to use the command prompt. (MS-DOS prompt). This should only be used by advanced users.

You should practice booting in Windows XP Safe Mode so you get familiar with it. You do not want to be caught short if something happens to your system and then find you have problems entering it. Don’t worry you can’t stuff anything up practicing this.

Now you know how to invoke Windows XP Safe Mode and have fixed your problem you may want to learn how to defrag your hard drive.