Dealing with a Windows computer that only boots in safe mode can be incredibly frustrating. You’re unable to access most of your programs and files, and your system runs sluggishly. Thankfully, with a bit of troubleshooting, you can likely resolve the issue and get your PC booting normally again.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The most likely culprits are a recent system change like a driver update or software install gone bad, startup settings configured for safe mode only, malware or viruses, or a problem with a key system file like boot.ini or the registry.

Checking these items and running system repair tools like System Restore often resolves the issue.

Determine If Safe Mode Was Enabled Manually

If your Windows computer is only booting in Safe Mode, it is important to determine whether Safe Mode was enabled manually or if it is a result of an underlying issue. Here are two steps you can take to determine if Safe Mode was enabled manually:

Check msconfig startup settings

The first step is to check the msconfig startup settings. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
  3. In the System Configuration window, click on the “Boot” tab.
  4. Make sure that the “Safe boot” option is unchecked. If it is checked, uncheck it and click Apply and then OK.
  5. Restart your computer to see if it boots normally.

If the “Safe boot” option was checked, it means that Safe Mode was enabled manually. Unchecking it should allow your computer to boot normally.

Review registry keys related to safe mode

If the msconfig startup settings did not reveal any issues, the next step is to review the registry keys related to Safe Mode. Here’s how:

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type “regedit” and press Enter.
  3. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot
  4. Check if there are any subkeys under the SafeBoot key. If there are, it means that Safe Mode was manually enabled.
  5. To disable Safe Mode, right-click on each subkey and select Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
  6. Restart your computer to see if it boots normally.

If you found any subkeys under the SafeBoot key and deleted them, it should disable Safe Mode and allow your computer to boot normally.

If you have followed these troubleshooting steps and your computer still only boots in Safe Mode, it is recommended to seek further assistance from a professional technician or consult the official Microsoft support website for more information.

Look For Issues After Recent Changes

If your Windows system is only booting in Safe Mode, it is likely that some recent changes or updates have caused the issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you identify and resolve the problem:

Uninstall recently added hardware drivers

If you have recently installed new hardware drivers, they could be conflicting with your system, causing it to boot only in Safe Mode. To uninstall these drivers:

  1. Open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting it from the menu.
  2. Expand the category of the recently installed hardware.
  3. Right-click on the device and select Uninstall device.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

Roll back recent Windows updates

Windows updates sometimes introduce compatibility issues that can cause your system to boot only in Safe Mode. To roll back recent updates:

  1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard.
  2. Click on Update & Security and then select Windows Update from the left sidebar.
  3. Click on View update history.
  4. Click on Uninstall updates to access the list of installed updates.
  5. Find the recently installed update, right-click on it, and select Uninstall.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the rollback process.

Restore from system restore point

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can try restoring your system to a previous state using a system restore point. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. Click on System and Security and then select System.
  3. Click on System protection from the left sidebar.
  4. Click on System Restore and follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point and initiate the restore process.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issues causing your Windows system to only boot in Safe Mode.

Scan for Malware and Viruses

One of the first steps to take when troubleshooting a computer that only boots in Safe Mode is to scan for malware and viruses. Malware and viruses can cause various issues with your operating system, including preventing it from booting up normally.

These malicious programs can disrupt the normal functioning of your computer and may even affect its performance.

To scan for malware and viruses, you can use a reliable antivirus software. There are many reputable antivirus programs available, such as Norton, McAfee, and Avast. These programs can detect and remove any malicious software or viruses that may be causing the issue.

It is important to ensure that your antivirus software is up to date and has the latest virus definitions to effectively detect and eliminate any threats.

Running a Full System Scan

When scanning for malware and viruses, it is recommended to run a full system scan rather than a quick scan. A full system scan thoroughly examines all files and folders on your computer, including system files, to detect any potential threats.

This comprehensive scan may take longer to complete, but it increases the chances of identifying and removing any malware or viruses that may be causing the booting issue.

Safe Mode with Networking

If your computer can only boot in Safe Mode, it is advisable to perform the malware and virus scan in Safe Mode with Networking. Safe Mode with Networking allows you to access the internet and download the latest virus definitions for your antivirus software.

This ensures that your antivirus program is equipped with the most up-to-date protection to effectively detect and remove any threats.

Pro Tip: Remember to disconnect your computer from the internet when scanning for viruses and malware to prevent any potential spread of the infection.

Scanning for malware and viruses is an essential step in troubleshooting a computer that only boots in Safe Mode. By eliminating any malicious software or viruses, you can improve the overall performance of your computer and restore normal booting functionality.

Repair System Files and Boot Configuration

When Windows only boots in Safe Mode, it can be frustrating and hinder your productivity. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this issue. One important step is to repair system files and the boot configuration. Here are some methods you can try:

Use automatic repair tools like Startup Repair

Windows provides built-in automatic repair tools that can help fix issues with system files and boot configuration. One of these tools is Startup Repair, which can automatically diagnose and repair problems that prevent Windows from starting normally. To use Startup Repair, follow these steps:

  1. Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly during startup to access the Advanced Boot Options menu.
  2. Select “Repair Your Computer” and press Enter.
  3. Choose the operating system you want to repair and click “Next”.
  4. Click on “Startup Repair” and wait for the process to complete.
  5. Restart your computer and check if Windows now boots normally.

Manually rebuild BCD via bcdedit

If the automatic repair tools fail to fix the issue, you can try manually rebuilding the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) using the bcdedit command. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
  3. Type the following command and press Enter: attrib c:\boot\bcd -h -r -s
  4. Type the following command and press Enter: ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
  5. Type the following command and press Enter: bootrec /rebuildbcd
  6. Restart your computer and check if Windows now boots normally.

Replace boot.ini file

In some cases, the boot.ini file may be causing the issue. You can try replacing this file to see if it resolves the problem. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: bootcfg /rebuild
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to add Windows installations to the boot.ini file.
  4. Restart your computer and check if Windows now boots normally.

By following these troubleshooting steps and repairing system files and the boot configuration, you can resolve the issue of Windows only booting in Safe Mode. If the problem persists, it may be beneficial to seek further assistance from a professional or consult Microsoft’s official documentation for more advanced troubleshooting options.

Refresh or Reset Windows

If you are experiencing issues with your Windows operating system and it only boots in Safe Mode, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem. One of the options you have is to refresh or reset Windows.

These options can help fix any underlying software issues that may be causing the problem.

Refresh to reinstall Windows while saving files

Refreshing Windows allows you to reinstall the operating system while keeping your personal files and data intact. This can be useful if you want to start with a clean slate but still want to preserve your important documents, photos, and other files.

Refreshing Windows will remove any third-party software or apps that you have installed, but it will not affect your personal data. It is important to note that you may need to reinstall some of your software applications after the refresh.

To refresh Windows, you can follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “Start” button and go to “Settings”.
  2. Select “Update & Security” and then click on “Recovery”.
  3. Under “Reset this PC”, click on “Get started”.
  4. Choose the “Keep my files” option and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Refreshing Windows can be a great way to resolve issues with booting into Safe Mode while still keeping your important files and data safe.

Reset to fully reinstall Windows and remove everything

If you are still unable to boot into Windows normally even after trying the refresh option, you may need to consider resetting Windows. Resetting Windows will remove all of your personal files, apps, and settings, essentially giving you a fresh start.

This option is recommended if you have already backed up your important files and are willing to reinstall your software applications.

To reset Windows, you can follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “Start” button and go to “Settings”.
  2. Select “Update & Security” and then click on “Recovery”.
  3. Under “Reset this PC”, click on “Get started”.
  4. Choose the “Remove everything” option and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Resetting Windows will take some time as it involves reinstalling the operating system and removing all your files, so make sure you have backed up everything important before proceeding.

Remember, both the refresh and reset options should only be used as a last resort if other troubleshooting steps have failed to resolve the issue. It is always a good idea to backup your important files before attempting any major changes to your operating system.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting a Windows computer that’s stuck booting in safe mode takes some patience, but usually the culprit can be found. Start by checking for any manual settings forcing safe mode. Then look for problematic changes from updates or new software installs.

Run scans to check for malware, and use Windows’ built-in repair tools. Refreshing or resetting Windows may be necessary if all else fails, but should resolve the issue.

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