How to Get Out of Safe Mode in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting out of Safe Mode in Windows 11 can feel a bit like trying to wake a grumpy koala — sometimes it takes a bit of persuasion. Safe Mode’s actually handy when troubleshooting stuff, especially if your PC’s acting dodgy or a dodgy update or driver has caused issues. But once you’ve sorted out the problem, you’ll want to get back to normal. The easiest way is usually a restart… but sometimes Windows refuses to play ball and leaves you stuck in Safe Mode, which can be really frustrating. So, here are a few tricks that worked for me on one setup, and not so much on another, but they’re worth a shot.

How to Get Out of Safe Mode in Windows 11

Basically, you just want your PC to start up normally again. The steps below cover some common fixes, but if a regular restart doesn’t do the trick, you might need to do a bit of digging. Usually, the problem’s tied to some leftover settings or a glitch in the configuration that keeps Safe Mode turned on. These steps should point you in the right direction.

Method 1: Just a Simple Restart

  • Click on the Start menu or press Windows + X.
  • Select Power and then Restart.

This is the easiest go-to — sometimes a quick reboot does the trick and clears the Safe Mode flag. If your PC was set to boot into Safe Mode on purpose, though, this might not work, so keep reading.

Method 2: Use System Configuration (msconfig)

  • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialogue.
  • Type msconfig and hit Enter. The System Configuration window will pop up.
  • Switch over to the Boot tab. This is where Windows keeps the startup options, including Safe Mode settings.
  • Uncheck the box next to Safe Boot. If it’s greyed out, you might need to turn off Safe Mode another way first.
  • Click OK and restart your PC.

This approach is handy when Windows keeps booting straight into Safe Mode — it’s like telling Windows, “Hey, I want to start normally, not in safe mode.” Sometimes, however, the box won’t be clickable if Safe Mode was set by other tools or updates, so if that happens, move onto the next fix.

Method 3: Check for Automatic Safe Mode Boot in Advanced Startup

  • Open Settings > System > Recovery.
  • Click on Advanced startup and then Restart now. This will reboot into a specialised menu.
  • Once there, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
  • Hit Restart. When it boots back up, look for options related to boot modes.
  • If Safe Mode is enabled automatically, you can disable it here or use the command line method below.

Method 4: Use Command Line (PowerShell or Command Prompt)

On some setups, Windows keeps forcing Safe Mode through boot configuration settings. Here’s a quick way to make sure it’s turned off:

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

This command removes the Safe Boot flag from your boot configuration. To do it:

  • Open PowerShell as Administrator (right-click the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
  • Type or paste the command above and hit Enter.
  • If it replies with a success message, restart your PC normally.

Fair dinkum, if you’re not comfortable with the command line, maybe ask a mate for a hand or back up your system first. Sometimes the command won’t work if another process is forcing the setting, but it’s worth a try.

Option 1: Editing the Registry (if all else fails)

Sometimes, the registry keeps telling Windows to start in Safe Mode. You can poke around manually, but be careful — registry edits can cause issues if not done right:

  • Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  • Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders and also check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
  • Look for a value called SafeBoot. If it’s there, delete or modify it.
  • Close regedit and restart your PC.

This is a bit of a last resort, but if Safe Mode keeps kicking in, it might be worth a shot. Just remember to back up your registry before making any changes.

Tips for Troubleshooting Safe Mode Boot Loops

  • Double-check your device drivers and recent updates. Sometimes dodgy drivers cause Windows to get stuck in Safe Mode.
  • Run Windows Startup Repair if all else fails.
  • Run a malware scan — some nasty bugs can mess with startup settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PC keep starting in Safe Mode?

Usually because it detected a startup hiccup and thought Safe Mode would help. Or, sometimes, a misconfigured setting or a stubborn driver is the culprit.

Is it safe to disable Safe Mode?

Generally, yeah. It just means Windows will try to start up normally. But if your system had issues before, keep an eye out for them coming back.

Can Safe Mode fix my issues?

Depends. It’s great for troubleshooting, but if the core problem’s deeper, you might need other tools or a system restore.

What if Safe Mode keeps coming back?

It could be a sign of a bigger problem. Check drivers, hardware, or malware, then try these fixes again. If it keeps going, restoring or resetting Windows might be the way to go.

Summary

  • Start with a simple restart.
  • Use msconfig to turn Safe Boot off.
  • Check startup settings via advanced startup options.
  • Use the command line (`bcdedit`) to remove the safeboot flag.
  • If all else fails, peek into the registry for stuck Safe Boot settings.

Wrap-up

Getting your Windows 11 out of Safe Mode is usually pretty straightforward once you know where to look. Sometimes, though, there’s a stubborn setting or glitch behind the scenes that just won’t budge. The key is to go methodically — restart, check your configuration tools, and if needed, use the command line or peek into the registry. Just remember, if Windows keeps booting into Safe Mode over and over, it’s a sign something’s up and needs a proper look. Hopefully, this helps you avoid a full reinstall or more involved fixes. Cheers, and good luck!

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