Diagnose Technology Problems By Booting in Safe Mode

Having trouble diagnosing issues with your computer? It could be the operating system, or it could be a piece of software you installed on it, OR it could be a driver or another peripheral connected to it. How do you know what the issue is, and how do you address it? That’s where Safe Mode comes in; you can boot your operating system in its most basic form, allowing your managed service provider to more easily determine the problem.

Breaking Down Safe Mode

Your device is managed and maintained by your business, so it probably contains more than your standard drivers and features. Booting a device in Safe Mode means that you’re booting it without all the extra bells and whistles; you’re starting it with the bare minimum, so it’s a good way to see how deep a problem has taken root.

If the problem still exists in Safe Mode, then you’ll know it’s an issue with your core processes. If the problem is fixed in Safe Mode, then you know it’s because of something you installed at some point.

Accessing Safe Mode is simple, and you can do it one of two ways: from the Start menu or on boot.

Accessing Safe Mode in Windows 11

That’s right, Windows 11. You’ve upgraded already, right? If not, let’s talk; that’s an important task that will need to get done sooner than later.

Anyway, on to how to access Safe Mode in Windows 11:

• Press the Windows key, then use the search bar to look for Change advanced startup options. Once you’re ready, hit Enter.
• Under the Recovery options section, click on the Restart now button to access the Advanced startup option.
• Once you’re prompted by the pop-up window, click Restart now.
• Wait a moment, then you should see a menu pop up. Select the option for Troubleshoot.
• Follow this option path: Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Next, you’ll see a screen that details how to enable Safe Mode. You should see three options, but the one you want is 4) Enable Safe Mode. Press the F4 key and your device will boot in Safe Mode.

If all of this sounds a little too much for your taste, that’s fine, too. You can simply ask Atech MSP for help with diagnosing technology problems. To learn more, call us at (888) 814-4843.