Windows 8 and 8.1 have been equipped with different ways of booting into Safe Mode, so everything you previously knew doesn’t apply anymore. The old F8 command still exists, but the OS starts too fast to have time for registering this command.
It’s not a difficult task tough and here are two easy methods for booting Windows 8.x into Safe Mode:
Method 1 – Via the System Configuration Tool
1. Open the Run dialog box (Win+R). Type “msconfig” and hit OK. The System Configuration window will open.
2. Go to the Boot tab and in the Boot options section check the option “Safe boot” and hit OK.
3. A dialog box will open offering you the option of restarting your system and apply the changes or exit System Configuration without restart. Choose the second option if you want to restart later. Whichever option you choose, the next time your system boots, it will be in Safe Mode.
Method 2 – Shift + Restart
The first method is faster and easier, but this one works too.
1. Open the Charms Bar (Win +C) and select the Settings Charm.
2. Click on the Power icon and click the Restart option while holding down the Shift key (Shift + Restart).
3. In the screen that appears, choose the Troubleshoot option.
4. Select Advanced Options in the Troubleshoot screen.
5. Select Startup Settings in the Advanced Options screen.
6. You will be informed that the following computer restart will apply some changes to your system, among which is enabling Safe Mode. Press the Restart button to reboot your system into Safe Mode.
7. After your computer has restarted a screen offers you nine startup settings which can be enabled using F1 to F9 function keys. You can enable Safe Mode by pressing the F4 key, use the F5 key to enable Safe Mode with Networking or the F6 key to enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Your system will now boot using the setting you enabled.
