How to Access Safe Mode on Windows 10

[Iamthewalrus]

Hey everyone. I recently had a weird BSOD error, saying "System Thread Exception Not Handled", (not the exact formatting but same words). After some research on my part, I found out that I need to get into safe mode or access command prompt in some way. I tried going into command prompt and also tried triggering the failed start menu or whatever it's called, (this is on Window 10 Pro 64-Bit by the way), but neither would work. I simply cannot seem to access safe mode. My PC will not boot up so I cannot access Windows, only anything before the log-in screen, not including the login screen. I have an ASrock B250M-HDV motherboard. How do I access safe mode? Could I just use my installation media to access command prompt or safe mode, or both? Is there some other way? I tried seemingly everything, I don't know what to do. The buttons you should be able to press don't even work, unless I'm pressing the wrong button. Please help, thank you.

 

[timmoseus]

Looks like you can still use the F8 (or shift+F8) on boot up, provided it is not UEFI with an SSD for the C:\.
http://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10

Otherwise, yes, the installation media will give you a command prompt. Takes a little digging though.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2880-open-command-prompt-boot-windows-10-a.html

 

[velocityg4]

I think F8 stopped working back in Windows 8. MS in there brilliance decided that the way to access Safe Mode is after your computer has successfully booted. You have to hold the Shift key and select restart. So only computers that work can go into Safe Mode.

One option is to force shutdown the computer as soon as Windows starts loading. By holding down the power button. You need to accomplish this two times in a row before it loads too much. This should force it into recovery mode. From there you can troubleshoot and get into safe mode. If you keep at it. You should eventually force the recovery mode.
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1013074/

If all else fails use your Windows installation media. Although you'll be limited to repairs from automated utilities and the command prompt. Typically F10 or F12 during POST lets you select a boot drive.

Once you do finally get it working. Create a recovery drive. It will make life much easier.
http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-create-recovery-drive-windows-10

 

[Iamthewalrus]

Looks like you can still use the F8 (or shift+F8) on boot up, provided it is not UEFI with an SSD for the C:\.
http://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10

Otherwise, yes, the installation media will give you a command prompt. Takes a little digging though.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2880-open-command-prompt-boot-windows-10-a.html

Mine is a UEFI... I guess that won't be working.

 

[Iamthewalrus]

I think F8 stopped working back in Windows 8. MS in there brilliance decided that the way to access Safe Mode is after your computer has successfully booted. You have to hold the Shift key and select restart. So only computers that work can go into Safe Mode.

One option is to force shutdown the computer as soon as Windows starts loading. By holding down the power button. You need to accomplish this two times in a row before it loads too much. This should force it into recovery mode. From there you can troubleshoot and get into safe mode. If you keep at it. You should eventually force the recovery mode.
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1013074/



If all else fails use your Windows installation media. Although you'll be limited to repairs from automated utilities and the command prompt. Typically F10 or F12 during POST lets you select a boot drive.

Once you do finally get it working. Create a recovery drive. It will make life much easier.
http://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-create-recovery-drive-windows-10

The fact that the best way to access safe mode is through a working computer is asinine. I wouldn't be trying to access safe mode if I had a working computer, now would I? Anyway, I tried the force shut-down technique multiple times, I think correctly. I have a brief moment of a black screen, then the logo appears, and a second or two later the loading circle appears. I've tried shutting down at each little interval I just said. I did this multiple times and nothing is triggering. Not sure why. I could keep at it, but according to a guide I read, all I have to use is command prompt to type in some stuff that I don't understand, then it'll successfully boot. Then it's a matter of updating my drivers to ensure this doesn't happen again. I'll be able to do that tomorrow, then I'll give an update on what's going on. Thanks for the reply.

 

[timmoseus]

Looks like your only option is to have the installation media...

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2897627/start-windows-command-prompt.html

 

[Iamthewalrus]

Looks like your only option is to have the installation media...

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2897627/start-windows-command-prompt.html

Okay, so I can't get the Windows 10 installation disk. I do, however, have a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit on a USB that I have on hand. Could I use the command prompt feature on that for this? Could it hurt anything?

 

[timmoseus]

Okay, so I can't get the Windows 10 installation disk. I do, however, have a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit on a USB that I have on hand. Could I use the command prompt feature on that for this? Could it hurt anything?

I would be cautious doing so, but a Windows 7 install disc does have access to command prompt. It might not have the commands you want, as I am certain command prompt has been updated since Windows 7 came out. I would not attempt an automatic repair/recovery from the Windows 7 disc without doing more research first.

To get to the command prompt from Windows 7 installation media do the following:
Boot from install media
At welcome screen press "shift + F10"
That should bring up the command prompt.

OR
Click on repair your computer
Select OS and click next
Click on the radio button for "Use recovery tools..."
Click on command prompt

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/682-command-prompt-startup.html

Again, from a Windows 7 disc, this may not have the tools you need. I personally have not used one to fix Windows 10 before.

 

[velocityg4]

Looks like your only option is to have the installation media...

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2897627/start-windows-command-prompt.html

Okay, so I can't get the Windows 10 installation disk. I do, however, have a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit on a USB that I have on hand. Could I use the command prompt feature on that for this? Could it hurt anything?

Download Windows 10 from Microsoft.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

If your computer uses UEFI and you are making an installation USB flash drive. You will need to use RUFUS to make a UEFI bootable Flash Drive.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html