Getting out of Safe Mode in Windows 11 isn’t the end of the world, but if you’re like me, you’d rather have your normal desktop back without too much fuss. Safe Mode’s handy for troubleshooting, but sometimes it sticks around longer than it should. Usually, that’s because of some leftover setting or a tiny hiccup in the system. Here’s the lowdown based on what’s actually worked for me:
How to Leave Safe Mode in Windows 11
Safe Mode loads only the basics — minimal drivers, some features turned off — to help figure out what’s going on. To get back to normal, you need to tell Windows to stop booting in that mode. The most reliable way (at least for me) is using the System Configuration tool, but a quick restart in the right way can do the trick as well. Here’s what to do:
Method 1: Using System Configuration (msconfig)
This is my go-to. Press Windows + R, then type msconfig and hit Enter. The System Configuration window opens — a bit old school, but it does the job. I’ve used it on several machines, and it works fine as long as Safe Boot was turned on through this method. Sometimes Windows gets a bit stubborn and doesn’t fully turn off Safe Mode if it was entered in other ways, so this is your first port of call.
Once it’s open, go to the Boot tab. If the Safe boot checkbox is ticked, that’s probably why your PC keeps booting into Safe Mode. Just uncheck it, then click Apply and OK.
Next, reboot your PC (Ctrl + Alt + Del > Restart, or just hit restart from the Start menu). Sometimes it boots into normal mode straight away, but be prepared — there might be times when it stubbornly stays in Safe Mode, especially if there’s some other setting or a restart glitch at play.
Method 2: Using Advanced Startup (if msconfig doesn’t do the trick)
If msconfig isn’t helping — maybe Safe Mode was turned on from elsewhere, or an update bugged it — you can always try this. Hold down Shift and click Restart from the power menu (Start > Power > Restart while holding Shift). This takes you into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
Once in WinRE, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Click Restart, and on the next screen, pick the option that says Disable Safe Mode, or just choose to restart normally. Sometimes, this clears Safe Mode if it’s stuck due to a temporary glitch.
Note: On some setups, you might see options to press a number for normal boot, safe mode, or other diagnostic modes. Just choose the default or reboot directly, and that usually does the trick.
Why it helps
Because Windows can get a bit confused if it thinks there’s a problem and keeps restarting in Safe Mode. Clearing that setting means you get all your drivers, desktop features, and whatnot back in action. I’ve had cases where Safe Mode just refused to turn off after an update or driver tweak, and manually adjusting msconfig or using WinRE was the only fix.
When does this come in handy
This mainly pops up if Windows keeps booting into Safe Mode after several restarts. Also, if you turned Safe Mode on intentionally to troubleshoot and now want to go back to normal — that’s when you do this. Sometimes, Windows auto-reboots into Safe Mode after system errors, and you need to fix it manually.
What to expect
Once you’ve sorted it, your PC should load Windows normally, with all drivers and features good to go. If it doesn’t, there could be other issues—like driver conflicts, update problems, or corruption. In that case, you might need to dive a bit deeper with some troubleshooting.
And funny enough — on a few machines, I needed a couple of reboots or a hardware check to fully clear Safe Mode. Because of course, Windows can be a bit cheeky about these things.
Tips for Leaving Safe Mode in Windows 11
- Always save your work before messing with startup settings — things can get a bit wonky.
- If Safe Mode keeps sticking after a reboot, try a forced shutdown and then start again.
- Don’t mess around with System Configuration unless you know what you’re doing; wrong settings can make booting even more of a headache.
- If nothing’s working, consider booting from recovery media or restoring the system to a previous point—just to be safe.
- Keep track of what changes you make so you can undo them if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Windows 11 stuck in Safe Mode?
Because some setting is telling it to stay there, usually in msconfig or via a registry tweak. Check the Boot tab in msconfig or look into recovery options if it’s stuck in a loop.
Can I just restart to get out?
Sometimes — especially if you entered Safe Mode by accident. But if it keeps coming back, try toggling the setting via msconfig or recovery options manually.
What if my PC won’t boot normally after trying?
You might need to boot into Safe Mode again (using Shift + Restart), then double-check your settings or run system checks like sfc /scannow in Command Prompt.
Is using msconfig safe?
Usually, yes — but be careful. Sometimes, disabling the wrong drivers or services can cause more problems. If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask someone or look it up first.
Will I lose files when leaving Safe Mode?
No worries — Safe Mode just disables some bits and bobs, it doesn’t delete your data. Still, backing up before messing with system settings isn’t a bad idea, just in case.
Summary
- Open System Configuration with
msconfig. - Go to the Boot tab.
- Uncheck Safe Boot.
- Click Apply and restart your PC.
- If needed, boot into recovery and turn off Safe Mode from there.