Despite being more than 10 years old, Windows 7 is still used by a large number of users. According to estimates, it continues to run on about a quarter of the world’s computers. With its support ending in 2020 the problems are a bit more difficult to solve. One of the easiest methods to identify and resolve certain types of problems in Windows operating systems is to start in safe mode. In this article we show you how to start Windows 7 in safe mode.
What is Safe Mode?
According to Microsoft “Safe mode starts Windows in a basic state, which uses a limited set of files and drivers.” This helps you solve problems faster by identifying possible causes of errors in your system. There are three versions of Safe Mode: Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Safe mode with network functions allows, in addition to loading the basic drivers of the devices, loading the network drivers and the services necessary to access it.
When you cannot start Windows 7 and you do not know the cause that prevents it, it is best to start it in safe mode. This ensures that the failure is due to some software, driver or registry key that does not allow the normal operation of the system. In these cases I was able to load the drivers and software manually until I determined which one caused the failure. Another alternative once you start in safe mode is to repair the system with the tools dedicated to it. You can also uninstall the programs identified as causing the error.
How to start Windows 7 in safe mode
Here are the steps to start Windows 7 in safe mode:
- The first step to start Windows 7 safe mode is turn on or restart your device .
- Then press the key F8 for enter Advanced Boot Options before the Windows 7 splash image is displayed.
- When the Advanced Boot Options interface is displayed, three Windows 7 Safe Mode startup options are displayed. You can choose one of these options using the arrow keys on your keyboard, select one of the options: Safe Mode, Safe mode with networking or Secure mode with system symbol and press the key Get in. Below is a description of each of the safe modes, select the one that best suits your case:
- Safe Mode: this is the predeterminated option, it is generally the most recommended because it is the most generic. This mode only starts the absolute minimum processes necessary to start Windows 7.
- Safe mode with networking: This option starts the same processes and drivers as the previous mode, in addition, it starts all the processes that allow the network functions to work in the operating system. Choose this option if you think you need to access the Internet or other computer on the network to troubleshoot your device..
- Secure mode with system symbol: Like the previous modes, this starts a basic set of processes, the difference is that instead of the graphical interface of Windows Explorer it loads the command prompt. Use this option if normal mode did not work or you think the problem is caused by the graphics drivers.
- Once you select the option that best suits your needs wait for the operating system files to load in safe mode. As explained above, only the minimum processes will be loaded to run the system. A list with the files that are loaded in the startup process will be displayed on the screen.
- After the system loading process is finished in safe mode you will need to log in with an administrative account.
- When you log in, you are in Windows 7 Safe Mode and can begin to identify problems that affect the normal startup of your device.