Safe Mode

Safe mode is an operating mode of Windows available in Windows 95 and beyond. Safe mode allows you to run the computer on the bare minimum of loaded drivers and applications. In safe mode, your normal startup applications will not load. This is especially useful when it is necessary to remove a virus, piece of spyware, or simply remove a stubborn application that may be causing your system to crash.

The key to successfully booting into safe mode is timing. In order to boot into safe mode you simply push the F8 key on your keyboard after the POST (Power On Self Test) screen. The POST screen will either be a manufacturer logo such as DELL or HP or Gateway, and it usually has a progress bar which is really useful for getting the timing right.

The POST screen stays up for several seconds before you see the Windows boot-up screen. Once you see the POST screen appear on your screen, you can simply push F8 every other second until the screen goes away. If you push it too many times your computer will simply beep at you, but you are doing no harm. Once the POST screen is gone, you should now see a boot-menu with many options. (see image below)

Here you have several options to chose from, and depending on what you are trying to accomplish you may have to make a different choice each time.

The Options

Safe Mode

This option is the most basic of saf mode's which does not load any internet protocol drivers. This is important because if you need to go on the internet, you will not be able to in standard safe mode.

Safe Mode with Networking

This option is the most useful (in my opinion) because it allows you to browse the internet, download removal tools (if necessary) and update any virus or spyware definitions you may need. This version of safe mode loads all internet protocol drivers during boot up, so do not chose this if you are trying to uninstall or reinstall hardware drivers regarding your Network Interface Card or Wireless Network Interface Card.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt

This option is useful for professionals who want to get right down to the nitty gritty and manually remove files from the hard disk drive via the command prompt. I do not suggest anyone use this option as it does not load the Windows shell, and though you will have a mouse pointer, you will not have anything to click on. If you have accidentally booted into Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and you would like to load the Windows shell you can easily do so by holding down CTRL + ALT + DEL(ETE). This will load the Windows task manager which is also a useful tool. Once the task manager has been loaded you will want to click on the File menu at the top left of the box, then click on Run which will bring up the run dialog box. Finally, simply type in Explorer (case incensitive) and hit enter or click on OK. You will notice the taskbard and start button appear.

You can also use the task manager to shut the computer down, restart the computer, terminate specific processes that may be running, and monitor system performance. For more information on utilizing the Task Manager please locate my write-up.