🛡️ How to Use Safe Mode & Fix Safe Mode Problems

Last updated: January 15, 2025

Boot Windows with minimal drivers to diagnose and fix problems

Not sure this is your exact issue? Every WindowsHelper guide is scoped to one specific problem — not a generic troubleshooting checklist — so if the title above matches what you're seeing, this is the right guide.

What this helps with

What to expect: Easy difficulty • usually about 10-15 minutes.

This is one of 45 How To Guides fixes in the WindowsHelper library. The full step-by-step fix for this is in the WindowsHelper app.

Related fixes in How To Guides

• How To Set Up a New PC

  Set up a new Windows PC: the setup screens, Windows Update first, essential free apps, removing bloatware and the settings worth changing on day one.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use OneDrive

  Learn OneDrive: set it up, save and share files, free up space with Files On-Demand, fix sync problems and protect important files in Personal Vault.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Microsoft Word

  Learn Microsoft Word: create and save documents, format text, add images and tables, print or export to PDF, use styles, tables of contents and track changes.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Microsoft Excel

  Learn Excel from the basics: cells and data entry, formulas, sorting and filtering, charts, pivot tables, lookup formulas and automating tasks with macros.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use PowerPoint

  Learn PowerPoint: build your first presentation, add images and design, use transitions and animations, present with speaker notes and export or share it.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Google Docs & Sheets

  Learn Google Docs and Sheets: create files, format documents, formulas and charts, work offline, collaborate with comments and version history, and more.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Set Up a Printer

  Set up a USB or Wi-Fi printer, print to PDF, manage print settings, install the maker's software for scanning and fix stuck jobs or an offline printer.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Connect a Monitor

  Connect an external monitor: choose the right cable, set up extend or mirror, resolution and refresh rate, use it with a laptop and fix a no-signal screen.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Cloud Storage

  Choose between OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox and iCloud, set them up on Windows, use them day to day, keep files private and move between providers.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Back Up Your PC

  Back up your PC in three levels, from OneDrive cloud backup to File History on an external drive and a full system image, then test that your backups work.

  Easy10-15 min