Windows 7 boot exception in safe mode. How to enter safe mode in Windows7

07.08.2023

Having worked with the operating system for a long time, most users have never encountered safe mode and do not know what it is. In order to start the system without additional programs or parameters, you need to start in safe mode. We invite you, dear Windows 7 users, to figure out how to enter safe mode.

Safe mode is a very useful "thing". For example, it so happens that you downloaded a malicious application onto your computer and you can’t remove it. In addition, the virus has probably already loaded into memory and can only be disabled by rebooting. After it, it returns to memory again and begins to “litter” there and slow down the operation of the system as a whole.

You may have deleted some system files and now your computer is not working as well as it did before. Constant crashes, frequent self-reboots or even shutdowns are clear reasons to boot into safe mode. Moreover, Windows 7 has a wonderful feature - booting with the last known successful configuration. This option is available directly from the same menu where you can enter safe mode. To enter Safe Mode in Windows 7 you need to do the following:

How to enter safe mode in Windows 7. Method No. 1

If you need to boot immediately before turning on the computer:

How to enter safe mode in Windows 7. Method number 2

If you need to boot directly from the system:

There is also a safe mode in Windows 10, no matter how users of earlier versions of the OS deny it. There is no point in entering it just like that, but in some situations it is very relevant and necessary. For example, a virus got into your computer and...

In Windows 7, there are two ways to get into safe mode:
1) Entering Windows 7 safe mode at system startup.
2) Entering Safe Mode from the Windows 7 environment (from a running OS by changing the boot in System Configuration).

Entering Windows7 safe mode at system startup.

Turn on the computer and while the system is loading, press the F8 key several times; if the welcome window appears (Windows 7 logo), it means you did not have time to press the F8 key, in this case you need to wait for the system to boot and turn off the computer again and when loading, press again F8 key. When trying to get into safe mode, you need to consider:
- On some keyboards, the function keys F1–F12 are always disabled by default. To turn them on, you need to press a special key (usually Fn) and while holding it, press the F8 key.
- If your computer has two or more operating systems, use the arrow keys to select the one you want, and then press Enter.
- To use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad, Num Lock must be disabled.
In the window Additional download options select " Safe mode" and press the key " Enter».

After a few seconds, the system will boot into safe mode.

Entering Safe Mode from Windows 7.

Press the button " Start" and write in the search bar msconfig and press the " Enter»

In the window that opens system configuration, go to the “” tab and check the “ Safe mode" and select " Minimum».
For reference:
Safe Mode: Minimum- Boots the Windows graphical user interface (Windows Explorer) in safe mode, running only the most important system services. Network components are disabled.
Safe Mode: Another Shell- Boot Windows command line in safe mode, running only the most important system services. Network components and GUI are disabled.
Safe Mode: Active Directory Restore - Boots the Windows GUI in Safe Mode, running only the most critical system services and Active Directory.
Safe Mode: Network- Boots the Windows GUI in safe mode, running only the most important system services. Network components are enabled.
Without GUI - The Welcome screen does not appear while Windows is loading.
Download log - All information regarding the boot process is saved in the file %SystemRoot%Ntbtlog.txt.
Basic video- Boots Windows GUI in minimal VGA mode. This mode loads standard VGA drivers instead of display drivers that match the computer's video hardware.
OS information - Displays the names of loaded drivers during system boot.
Make these boot options permanent - Changes made to system settings are not tracked. You can change the settings later using System Setup, but only manually. If this option is selected, you will not be able to roll back changes by selecting Normal Startup on the General tab.

After this, you will be prompted to restart your computer to enter Windows 7 safe mode. If you want to boot into safe mode now, click "", if you want to do this later, select " Exit without reboot"And the next time you reboot or turn on your computer/laptop, automatically boot into safe mode.

The next time you boot Windows 7, the system will boot into Safe Mode.

In order not to boot into safe mode, you need to go into the system configuration again and uncheck the previously checked boxes.

The operating system is a complex software complex and it is not 100% protected from failures. Although Windows operating systems starting from the seventh version are considered highly reliable, problems arise with them too.

When the computer starts, the following happens:

Testing a PC with BIOS SETUP is essentially a hardware test; the computer tests itself.
If the test is successful, the MBR is read, the master boot record on the hard drive. There is information about what to do next (the loader executable file winload.exe). If there is damage to the MBR, the message “MBR is missing” will appear. No further loading will occur.
Winload.exe loads the kernel (the main module of Windows) into RAM - the zero ring of the system.

The kernel begins loading the remaining components:

The main drivers that ensure the operation of the system (the first and second rings) are initiated.
Launching auxiliary drivers and services, autoloading user programs - the third ring.

After this, you log in to the system. As can be seen from the figure, each group of drivers, applications or services are located in separate memory areas. This ensures the security and stability of the OS and reduces the likelihood of conflicts between hardware and programs.

As a result, if malicious code (virus program) is downloaded by the user, it will not be able to greatly damage the system (it is almost impossible to get to the zero ring).

But sometimes critical errors occur:

the virus was modified and introduced itself into the 3 (or 2.1) ring, disrupting the operation of Windows;
there was a failure in one of the important drivers;
the new device conflicts with other components or services;
One of the sectors of the hard disk or the system data recorded in it is damaged.

Then the OS freezes or a “Blue Screen of Death” appears with an error code.

Reference! The system may boot but be unstable. In this case, it is also recommended to try to return to normal.

Video - Windows Safe Mode. Why is it needed and how to start it?

How to boot Windows 7 into Safe Mode

First way

Step 1. We reboot the computer using the button on the front panel of the system unit (or use the corresponding laptop key).

Step 2. As soon as the image appears on the screen, press and hold the “F8” key.

Reference! If you have several operating systems installed on your PC, you must first select the one you need and then press “F8”.

Select the desired system, press “F8”

Sometimes “F8” is needed to select the physical device from which to boot. You should launch the corresponding disk and press “F8” again.

Step 3. The boot menu should appear on the screen. Select the appropriate item using the arrow keys and press enter.

Second way

Menu items

The choice of option depends on what actions need to be performed:

safe mode is the standard option for starting with minimal loading of only the necessary OS components. It is recommended to choose this one first. But the Internet will not be available;
with loading network drivers - you need to choose if you need to support an Internet connection. For example, when downloading antivirus programs or accessing online support services;
with command line support - this item is used by people who can work in a terminal and know the appropriate commands;
with boot logging - needed to analyze the list of drivers that start with the system. At startup, a file “ntbtlog.txt” is created, which is located in the “Windows” folder. There will be information about the download stages and some errors. Then you can open it in a text editor and find out what exactly is causing the failure;
VGA mode – this mode is used to try to boot the system if there is a suspicion that the video card or monitor is configured incorrectly. The launch is carried out with a reset of the screen parameters and the simplest drivers;
debugging mode – if necessary, you need to transfer information about the boot stages to another PC connected to the faulty one. Used by system administrators and IT engineers;
Loading the Last Known Good Configuration will help if there are system restore points. The configuration that was working before the failure will be loaded.

Most often the first option is chosen. After booting into Safe Mode, you will need to (as usual) enter a password to log in, and if it has not been defined, it will automatically log in and the user will see the desktop.

What you can do in Safe Mode

You should start with the following steps:

If you recently installed any programs or other software, it is better to uninstall it.
Scan your PC using an antivirus.
Test all disks for errors.
If any driver updates have been installed, download older versions.
View the “Windows Error Log”, you can copy the data to consult with specialists later.
Copy important files to a portable drive. If you need to reinstall Windows, the data can be easily returned.

Reference! Safe mode may not help solve the problem, then you will have to look for other ways: call a consultant at home or simply reinstall the system.

Problems with Safe Mode

If it is not possible to start Windows in Safe Mode, then this is most likely due to the following reasons:

The registry key responsible for launching this mode is damaged;
file system is damaged;
hardware problems.

If you have an installation disk, it is recommended that you try to start Windows from it. There are special “rescue” images of DVDs or CDs; they can be downloaded on another PC and burned onto blanks. Often they help solve the problem; in addition to the boot image, they contain auxiliary software.

Conclusion

Modern operating systems are considered quite reliable, but no one is immune from failures. In many cases, Safe Mode will help solve problems with starting and debugging Windows.

Video - How to enter Safe Mode in Windows 7

What is it for?

Sometimes, after installing new software or as a result of exposure to viruses, the normal operation of Windows 7 is disrupted. Due to abnormal behavior of the OS, it is sometimes quite difficult to detect and eliminate the cause of its occurrence. This is where safe mode can help (in non-Russian versions of the system it is called Safe Mode). In some situations, Windows 7 automatically enters it during its startup after the PC freezes. However, more often the user himself has to boot Windows 7 in safe mode. What kind of mode is this, and how to start it?

Safe Mode is designed to diagnose and determine the cause of abnormal operation of the OS. It differs from normal system startup in that applications and drivers installed after installing the operating system will not be loaded. At the same time, it becomes possible to remove a virus, or an application that cannot be removed in the usual way, or a driver that conflicts with other equipment.

1st way to boot into safe mode

When you turn on your PC, without waiting for the OS logo to appear, press and hold the F8 key. In some laptop models, one of the function keys F1-F12 may be used for this. In this case, a menu of additional boot options appears on the screen, looking like:

The first three options refer to the desired option, but you should choose the first one - highlighted in white in the picture. This is done with the arrow keys, after which you need to press “Enter”. The system will start, after which a black window with a resolution of 640x480 pixels will appear, and the words “Safe Mode” will be located in the corners of the window.

The method described above is only valid if only one OS is installed on the PC. Otherwise, you will need to press F8 twice to launch Safe Mode. The first press will cause a boot loader message to appear indicating which system to boot. You should also select it using the arrow keys, press “Enter” and immediately press F8 again. The above window will appear with additional launch options.